NSSAFFL: Scotia Division looks to be unpredictable, competitive, yet exciting in 2012

“I believe the two favourites have to be Horton who made it to the Provincial Final last year and lost a close game to Citadel and also Halifax West,” comments Avon View Avalanche head coach Steve LaLonde.

Auburn Eagle Drive Eagles head coach Chris Anstey concurs with LaLonde.

“The West is a traditionally well coached, disciplined and well-structured program with great athletes at key positions and of particular note are the running back and defensive back positions where they have three starters from the Nova Scotia under-18 Football Canada Cup team,” explains Anstey.  “Horton is coming off its first provincial final and will be looking to grow a young and hungry team which will be led by the efforts of Jake Melanson of the “Fighting Melanson Brothers”.”

“He has big shoes to fill leading the team which his older brother Adam did one year ago but has a solid coaching staff and experienced summer at the Football Canada Cup to build off.”

However, the Warriors and Griffins are picking each other as the top team this season.

“Halifax West will be strong again,” adds Griffins head coach Alec Hyndman.

“It’s hard to say who is the team to beat, but given their record from last year, Horton,” says Warriors offensive coordinator David Rent.

With new personnel, the Auburn Drive Eagles may be a dark horse in the Scotia Division this season.

“I would have to say Auburn with loads of talent and a new coaching staff may be what brings them out,” says Hyndman.

Another team that could be on the rise at the right time is the Cole Harbour Cavaliers.

“Cole Harbour High is traditionally an athlete factory,” comments Anstey.  “With new additions to the staff from the successful Dartmouth Destroyers bantam program and several outstanding grade 11 and 12 players led by man child Jesiah Hathaway, they are poised to have a great season.”

The J.L Ilsley Judges on the other hand believe that they could be the surprise of the division.

“The dark horse could be us if injuries don’t get us early like they did last year,” explains Judges head coach Steve Saunders.

Saunders says the new format is a welcome change for the NSSAFFL.

“I think the new format will be great for the league and Tier 2 is up for grabs,” assesses Saunders.  “There are a lot of changes with coaches and players coming and going so picking a favourite will be hard so early in the season.”

This exciting yet unpredictable division will begin on Friday September 7, 2012.  Here is a season preview of five teams that will be competing in the Scotia Division (Tier 2).

HALIFAX WEST WARRIORS (HW):

2011 Record:  regular season record was 4-4-0, lost in Tier 2 Championship Final in double overtime to the Lockview Dragons

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach:  David Kelly (9th season)
Assistants:  David Rent (offensive coordinator), Justin Rudolf (defensive line), Karim Shawwa (quarterbacks), Andrew Preston (linebackers), Ryan Sabean (running backs) and Chuck Kline (receivers)

The Halifax West Warriors finished the 2011 campaign on a disappointing note as they lost the NSSAFFL Tier 2 Championship Title in double overtime to the Lockview Dragons on a field kick.  With the Dragons now playing in the Nova Division, the Warriors will be seen as one of the front runners to hoist the title at the end of the season due to the potential on the team.

This year is somewhat of a rebuilding season for the Warriors as the team will be fielding a lot of new players, several whom are in grade 12 but playing football for the first time.

“At this point there is no one rookie who is standing out way above the others, but as the year moves along hopefully a grade 10 rookie will start to shine,” adds Warriors offensive coordinator David Rent.  “We have a lot of new players to the team, but a lot of older kids that one might not truly call a rookie.”

“These are kids that are in grade 12 playing football for the first time, hopefully there is a diamond in the rough amongst them.”

While consistency will be something to watch for from the Warriors on a daily basis, the key to their success in the 2012 season will be simplicity.

“We have an inexperienced team; therefore, we must keep things simple,” explains the Warriors offensive coordinator, who is going into his eighth season with the team.  “Hopefully as the season progresses, we can expand things, but as of right now, the simpler things are the easier the newer players will pick up on things.”

As for the offensive and defensive style of play, Rent gives an idea of what to expect on the field from the Warriors.

“Offensively we will be a run oriented team,” says Rent.   “Defensively, we will be a gap control defense.”

While the team will rely on their key strengths at the quarterback and running back positions, they will have to somehow compensate for their weakness of depth at several positions.

Ultimately, the Warriors coaching staff are expecting the players to lead on and off the field in the quest for success in 2012.

“On the field, we are asking our players to be physical and committed to each other,” comments Rent.  “Off the field, we are asking them to be good students, and represent themselves, their school and team in a positive way.”

KEY RETURNEES:  Scott Borden (quarterback), David Nisbet (running back), Essam Talaat (offensive lineman), Josh Sampson (defensive back), Luke Byrne (linebacker), Ahmed Ramadan (defensive back) and Mahmoud Altawil (defensive back)

“X” FACTOR:  Quintynn Parsons (receiver)

The Halifax West Warriors will kick off the Scotia Division regular season when they host the Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals for a game at Mainland Commons on Friday September 7th, 2012.  Game time is 7:00pm.

HORTON GRIFFINS:

2011 Record:  7-0-1, playoff record was 2-1 as they lost to the Citadel Phoenix in the Tier 1 Championship Final.

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach:  Alec Hyndman (sixth season)

By virtue of their 2011 campaign, last year’s NSSAFFL Tier 1 Championship runners-up are hands on favourite to win this division.  However, they too are in a rebuilding year as they lost many players due to graduation.  What everyone should expect is a “fresh” Horton Griffins in 2012.

“We have lots of the same, but we are loading up on young athletic kids that are turning us from a power style to a speed style,” comments Griffins head coach Alec Hyndman.  “We are young, with a lot of fresh faces, may take us a few weeks to get rolling.”

The Griffins will continue to use the same recipe for success that guided the team to success last season.

“We will continue to build on the “it takes a team” attitude that helps us finish second last year,” adds the Griffins head coach.   “Although we are in a building year, we have the making of a strong team.”

Offensively, the team will be strong due to depth at the running back position.  This will figure prominently into their style of play.

“Look for us to continue our ground game, with 2 strong running backs competing for reps,” adds Hyndman.

Once again, the Griffins will be defensively sound.  Opponents will be hard pressed to find cracks on the defensive unit.

“Our defense is going to play the same as in years past with speed and takeaways,” says the Griffins head coach.

Overall, the players will be expected to show a high level of commitment in all endeavours on and off the field.

“Our expectations of our players will always be to commit to the team and to school.  You fail your team when you fail in the classroom,” comments Hyndman.  “We expect them to conduct themselves with a high level of ethics on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”

KEY RETURNEES:  Cam Davidson (running back), Jake Melanson (defensive end/wide receiver) and Brandon Whitman (defensive back)

KEY ROOKIE:  Duncan Hill (linebacker)

The Horton Griffins start the regular season on the road in a matchup against the Avon View Avalanche on Sunday September 9, 2012.  Kickoff is 1:00 at Avon View High School.

AVON VIEW AVALANCHE (AVH):

2011 Record:  regular season record was 4-4; playoff record was 0-1 as the team lost to Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals in the first round of the Tier 2 playoffs.

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach:  Steve Lalonde (rookie season with the Avalanche but entering 16th year of coaching)
Assistants:  Rory Campbell (defensive coordinator), Jim Bryan (special teams/defensive), Paul Primeau (offensive), Gord Hind (offensive) and Justin Clark (line)

One of last year’s “Cinderella” stories of the league is back with a new head coach in tow in Steve Lalonde.  This season’s team will lack depth and as a result, will be inexperienced.

“This is a young program and our goal is to get better every single day,” says LaLonde. “Our coaching staff is doing an outstanding job of teaching the players every day and improving their football skills.”

“We also have been working hard to become a “family” and are learning how to trust one another on the field which in turn will lead to us being successful and improve as a program.”

Key strengths for the Avalanche this season will be their athleticism, positive attitude and work ethic.

“These young men want to leave a legacy behind and they have all bought into our philosophy and are all working together to achieve their goal,” explains the Avalanche head coach.  “Our Mantra is “SHIP”: Success has its Price and our players are willing to pay the price to achieve success.”

LaLonde gives the breakdown of how the offensive and defensive units will play on the field this season.

“Offensively we have installed an up tempo, No Huddle Spread offense with five and six receiver sets,” discusses LaLonde. “Our goal is to stretch the field both vertically and horizontally and get the ball into our playmakers hands and allow them to be the athletes they are.”

“Defensively, we will build upon the success they had last year as most of the defense has returned. We will be an aggressive, attacking, physical type of defense that will have 12 men going to the ball every play.”

Players will be expected to be aggressive yet disciplined on the field in 2012.

“On the field, I am asking our players to be a physical, attacking type of team but also to be a very, very disciplined, football team,” explains the Avalanche head coach.  “I want us to be the class of high school football and want us to be known as a tough nosed, hard playing but much disciplined and very clean and very classy football program.”

Aside from football, academics will be an equally important component for players on the Avalanche.

“We are implementing an after school study hall and stressing academics with our players while also implementing a character education program and holding each player accountable for their actions and decisions,” describes LaLonde.   “I want our players not only to be the leaders on the field but also in the classroom and in the community.”

“As a program we are hoping to develop these young men into becoming not only great football players but more importantly great individuals. I am hoping we can develop them into becoming successful, adults, great husbands and fathers. That is our programs definition of success!”

All and all, 2012 will be an exciting season for the Avalanche.

“I believe that we will be an exciting, explosive team this year,” comments the Avalanche head coach.  “I am hopeful that with the new style of offense we have installed, that we will play a very exciting and wide open brand of football with lots of offense, lots of scoring and many big plays.”

“Also our defense will be an attacking style with the hope of causing turnovers and creating losses and limiting the opposing teams to limited offensive success.”

KEY RETURNEES:  Matt Page (running back), Trevor House (receiver), Cory Whitney (quarterback), Scott Barnett (offensive line), J.J. Chambers (linebacker/safety), A.J. Whitehead (linebacker), Brandon Hirschfell (defensive back) and Nick Smith (defensive end/linebacker)

KEY ROOKIES:  Kyle Fraser (defensive back), Jordan Cassidy (slotback), Kyle Morris (receiver) and Colin Walker (defensive back)

The Avon View Avalanche begins their 2012 regular season campaign at home on Sunday September 9, 2012 when they host the Horton Griffins.  Kickoff is 1:00 pm.

JL ILSLEY JUDGES (JLI):

2011 Record:  1-7-0 in the regular season

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach:  Steve Saunders (5th season, but is in his 20th season coaching)

After experiencing a disappointing 2011 campaign, the JL Ilsley Judges are hoping for a reversal of fortunes this season.   Head coach Steve Saunders likes the composition of this year’s team.

“JL Ilsley is in an interesting position having a number of grade nines come to us with some football knowledge for the first time,” explains Saunders.  “We have a pleasant mix of grade 10 rookies and grade 11 returnees with only four players in grade 12.”

“It appears we have lost two grade 12 students to Citadel High which is a disappointment to our program.”

The Judges will be significantly better on both the offensive and defensive units.

“We are much improved from last year which was a challenge after week three when we lost four impact players,” comments the Judges head coach.  “I think defense will be our anchor, especially at the start and the offense will take some time but the run will be there and I think we will throw a little to start but it will come.”

“We appear to have some depth but we have yet to pick one position as a starter.”

One key thing the team provides for the players is a safe, healthy environment for them to thrive.

“Our school is located in an at risk area of Metro and we work hard at keeping our kids safe, in school and in a healthy team situation,” says Saunders.  “We are fortunate to have had six of our players go on to university football and the kids really respond when they show up and email.”

“Jacob LeBlanc, Rene Rizhallah and Isaac Noonan have been tremendous in their support.”

As for Saunders himself, this year marks a special milestone.

“This is my 20th year as a head coach having coached at JL Ilsley in the nineties, at CP Allen and Lockview and back for my fifth year at JL Ilsley,” explains the Judges head coach.  “My grandfather played for Prince of Wales College 100 years ago and I played 40 years ago at Prince Andrew so this is a special year.”

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH:  Eric Bowdridge (defensive end) and Lucas Hill (wide receiver)

The JL Ilsley Judges will begin their season on the road on Sunday September 9th, 2012 when they visit the Central Kings Gators.  Game time is 2:00pm.

AUBURN DRIVE EAGLES (AUB):

2011 Record:  4-4-0 in the regular season, 0-1 in the playoffs as the team lost in the first round

Coaching Staff:
Head Coach:  Chris Anstey (1st season with Eagles but 12th season coaching)

A team that could be a surprises this season is the Auburn Drive Eagles.  New head coach Chris Anstey says the key to their success this season will come down to identifying talent and players that be able to instantaneously contribute on the field.

“Identifying our young talent and immediate contributors will be priority one,” adds Anstey.   “It is imperative we work to integrate our new players into our concepts as soon as possible and team them in units with an even combination of veteran and young players.”

“Our goal is always to win our last game and we will use the fuel of last season failure to do so as motivation and a measuring stick for our improvement.”

Since this is a season full of new personnel and renewed attitude, expect the offensive and defensive units to incorporate a different culture in their style of play on the field.  It is the hope that the core group of veterans on the team will lead the team in this avenue.

“With a new staff and direction for the program, year one will be a foundation year for establishing a new culture,” says the Eagles head coach.  “We will be a dynamic offensive team looking to get the ball in space to our most versatile players on offense and defensively will be a pressure oriented group with a focus on sound principles.”

There are still some gaps on the team that will have to be addressed immediately.

“After graduating the quarterback and entire offensive line last season, the challenge will be to have the younger replacements be put in a position to be successful right away,” assesses Anstey.

Players will be expected to illustrate a few things this season on and off the field.

“I will be asking the players for discipline, self-respect and to always be prepared to take advantage of any opportunity by being prepared mentally and physically,” explains Anstey.

Overall, the Eagles are anxious for the season to begin.

“With a combination of young and experienced players who seem to be buying into the new program standards and disciplines, we believe it will be a difference in the overall success this season,” comments Anstey.

KEY RETURNEES:  John Cole (defensive end/fullback), Trae Colley (defensive back/offense) and Josh Thomas (defensive back)

KEY ROOKIES:  Cameron Darrow (offensive line) and Chris Daly (offensive line)

“X” FACTOR:  Angus Fraser (running back, returner)

The Auburn Drive Eagles will commence the 2012 regular season on Saturday September 8th, 2012 when they host Northeast Kings Titans for a game at Burnside Turf.  Kickoff is 5:00pm.

(NOTE:  Information was not available for Cole Harbour Cavaliers, Central Kings Gators, Northeast Kings Titans and Dr. John Hugh Gillis Royals at press time).

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