The Myers Riders are looking to replicate last year’s regular season success in 2012, and hope that that success will translate to the OVFL playoffs this time around.
In 2011 the Myers Ridersā varsity club saw their championship aspirations fizzle out during the OVFL Conference Finals after amassing a spotless record during the regular season.
Though the ultimate goal of scoring a league finals victory eluded the squad last season, head coach Max Palladino knows that a perfect season followed by an untimely playoff exit is no cause to reinvent the wheel.
āWe are going with the same [team philosophy] as last year,ā Palladino explains. āPractice hard, work hard and play hard. Last year this philosophy got us an 8-0 season and we fell a little short in the conference champions to a great team.ā
While it is difficult to argue a team that posted an 8-0 mark a year ago needs to make any significant changes, Palladino recognizes the naivety of absolute complacency.
To give the team the little extra boost it needs to reach the next level the Riders will welcome standout rookies Jordan Gorgichuk, a 5ā10, 165 pound defensive back, linebacker Paul Hewitt, and D-lineman Landon Lassenda.
The trio of potential stars will join key returnees Shayne Cowan-Cholette, James Mau, and Chad Pierce on the defensive side of the ball this season.
Offensively the group welcomes receiving threats Kevin Duprey and Cassidy Malenfant, as well as Under 18 Team Ontario reps Tyler Young and Lake Johnston, who will look to anchor the Riders’ offensive line in 2012.
The newcomers will join veterans offensive lineman Chris Fanning, QB Sean Mellor, and running back Mike Leno.
A slew of prospects and a handful of valuable veterans should help charge the Riders in 2012, but the team was most diligent about addressing the issues posed by the undersized interior of its defensive line.
āWith Ryan McNamee returning (6ā0, 300 lbs) and new recruit Joel Corbin (6ā3, 310 lbs) I think [the size issue] has been address,ā notes Palladino.
With a strong collection of new faces and returnees coach Palladino cites his intentions of maximizing the groupās potential by trying āto get as many of the players on the team to the next levelā as possible.
This intention is, of course, but a link in the chain of causation that ends with teamās ultimate goal. As coach Palladino puts it plain and simple, that goal is to āWin it all.ā
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