First glimpses of Ontario High School Football at Downsview Jamboree

The idea for the tournament is credited to Downsview head coach Russ Hoff. Back in 2009, Hoff came to D.S.S a man on a mission. His dream? To restart the football program at the high school which had been dormant since 1985.

He quickly found out that his teams success would not be easy sledding. Hoff’s boys were thoroughly outmatched by far more experienced and seasoned football programs. As one of the more ambitious, spirited coaching personalities around, Hoff took it upon himself to start his own tournament for the new kids on the block; the schools in the province who were just getting started and wanted to scrimmage against teams of comparable caliber.

After 9 teams took part in the event last year, the event has exploded in popularity for 2012 with seven more schools getting in on the action. Each team plays three 45 minute scrimmages throughout the day, more than their money’s worth for a team entry fee of $150.

Jamboree All- Star awards are handed out to one player from each team by OUA football coaches in attendance. With the event gaining in popularity, Russ might need more hands on deck for next year.

“My goal is to grow the event even more if possible without sacrificing the quality of the day for the participants”.

One can only hope this is a sign of things to come for high school football across Canada. The gap between David and Goliath may not be as big as it once was.

Here are the teams for 2012

Downsview SS – Toronto
Western Tech – Toronto
Forest Hill – Toronto
Sir Robert L. Borden – Toronto
Bendale/Winston Churchill – Toronto
Sir Wilfrid Laurier – Toronto
Thistletown CI – Toronto
Lawrence Park – Toronto
Newtonbrook – Toronto
Meadowvale – Mississauga
Robert F. Hall – Bolton
St. Maximillian Kolbe – Aurora
St. Joan of Arc – Vaughan
London South – London
St. Stephen’s – Bowmanville
Barrie Central – Barrie