Yes, it’s that time of year again. The time of year where football season (high school) officially kicks off in Hamilton. While the excitement builds as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats preseason is right around the corner, all eyes shift to Ivor Wynne Stadium this Friday night as Hamilton’s brightest young football stars light up for the 22[SUP]nd[/SUP] Annual Steel City Bowl.

Ivor Wynne Stadium is the site for the 22nd Annual Steel City Bowl

For those who are unfamiliar, the Steel City Bowl is an annual all-star matchup, which pits the best high school players from East Hamilton against the best of the West.

The head coaches for this year’s game will be Tiger-Cats Strength & Conditioning coach Darrell Adams representing the West, with York University and Cardinal Newman coach Joe Wade representing the East.

Although each of these men have taken a different path to get to this point in their respective football careers, each have several things in common, including a genuine love of teaching.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to coach these kids,” chimed Wade, “this game isn’t about the coaches, it’s about getting all the kids together and just learning. We try to teach them what we can, but they also learn from playing with each other and I’d like to think that we learn from them as well.”

Coach Adams couldn’t agree more.

“It’s all about the kids, getting them exposed,” Adams explained, “giving them a chance to learn from coaches who have coached and played the game for a long time.”

Although the game is considered a friendly exhibition match, the coaches still want their guys prepared to play when the whistle blows on Friday night. Something that is easier said than done, considering that each team only gets one week of practice before the game. With such a short time for all these new players to gel as a team, what kind of approach needs to be taken?

“Because it is such a short turnaround, we just want to focus on teaching the kids the fundamentals of football to build on what they learned in school.” stated Adams, “we’re taking the practices one day at a time, focusing on getting better each day. I don’t want any of the guys to even think about the game until Friday.”

Coach Wade agrees that the short week of practice presents some challenges.

“We really only get 8 hours of practice before the game, so we just try to instill a package so that they understand what they’re doing.” He said, “I want them to play fast because when they’re thinking out on the field, they’re not playing fast.”

While each coach is truly honoured to have been selected to participate in the Bowl, they both remain humble, stressing that the game is about the players on the field.

Coach Adams, a former Tiger-Cat defensive lineman, knows all too well what it’s like to be in the spotlight and he wants his players to grab the opportunity to make plays on Friday night.

“We’re going to roll everybody into the lineup. Nobody should be complaining about their playing time come Friday.” he said with a grin, “we’re going to allow these kids to showcase their talents, because that’s what this game is all about.”

Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Whatever the outcome of this year’s Steel City Bowl, one can expect nothing less than a good game on Friday night. Let’s get ready for some football.

WEST TEAM:

COACHING STAFF:

Head Coach: Darrell Adams – Strength & Conditioning Coach/Assistant Defensive Line Coach (Hamilton Tiger-Cats), 2012 Defensive Co-ordinator (Hamilton Hurricanes)

Offensive Coordinator: Vince Luciani – 2011 Offensive Assistant (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)

Defensive Coordinator: Dwayne Cameron– 2010-2011 Defensive & Special Teams Assistant (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)

Wide Receiver Coach: Dante Luciani – Former CFL wide receiver 2008-2009

Running Backs: Dave Graffi – CJFL Running Back Coach (Hamilton Hurricanes), Former CFL running back 1981-1986 (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)

Offensive Line Coach:Tom Sterling – 2012 Vanier Cup Winner (McMaster)

Defensive Line: Branko Vincic – Former CFL/NFL defensive lineman 1988-1991
Defensive Line: Jeff Hill – Former OVFL Defensive Line Coach (Grenadiers)

Linebackers: Scott Campbell –CJFL Defensive Coach (Hamilton Hurricanes)

Defensive Backs: Jeff Brown – Former CFL defensive back (Hamilton Tiger-Cats)

EAST TEAM:

COACHING STAFF:

Head Coach: Joe Wade – York University & Cardinal Newman

Offensive Coordinator: Pierpaolo Bianco – Cardinal Newman

Wide Receivers: Ralph Viscoso – Cardinal Newman

Offensive Line: Matt Kavanagh – Cardinal Newman

Defensive Coordinator: Rob Tornifoglia – Steel City Steelers

Defensive Line: Mike Yakazu – Barton

Defensive Backs: Everton Squires – Steel City Steelers