The Calgary Colts will look to improve upon last year’s trip to the PFC Final in 2012

The Calgary Colts were runners-up in last year’s PFC Final. This year, the the squad will be out to improve on that result, and hope to end up on the winning side of the conference’s title game.

In 2011 the Calgary Colts put together an impressive run that ended with a trip to the Prairie Football Conference Championship game where they succumbed to the eventual National Champion Saskatoon Hilltops.

While the team found no small measure of success last fall, an influx of rookie talent, a handful of key returnees and the biggest Spring Camp in recent memory has the Colts’ brass hopeful that the squad will make it to the next level in 2012.

Head Coach, John Stevens anticipates having over 130 camp participants this spring, which he hopes will rev up the competition and bring out the best in his crew.

“The focus for the Calgary Colts in this off-season has been to increase the level of competition at all positions and increase the preparation time for the team in general,” says Coach Stevens.

While hosting 130-plus players at camp is liable to fire the crucible all over the roster, expectations are that the fiercest competition will center around the quarterback position.

“Returning QBs include Jeremy Long…and Derek Cooper,” notes Stevens. “New players at the QB position for the Colts include Jason Schuler [of] Western University, Cole Meyer [of] White Rock, BC, and Abraham Shah [of] Toronto, Ontario.”

Whoever emerges from the position battle as the team’s go to signal caller will be joined on offense by key returnees, wideout Rodreke Joseph, running back DJ Whetton, and offensive lineman Greg Hannah.

The Colts will also look to get a boost from prized recruit Mackenzie Meek, who Coach Stevens anticipates “will significantly increase our team speed at the receiver position.”

On the other side of the ball the Colts will welcome back All-Canadian linebacker Steve Dereniwski, who will act as the team’s 2012 defensive captain. Dereniwski will be joined by Calgary natives, defensive tackle Jon Grossberndt and defensive end Jason Orev.

“Steve’s work ethic and leadership will play a large role in the Colts’ success in 2012,” says Coach Stevens. He also notes that Grossberndt and Orev “will play key roles with the defensive line.”

With the personnel needed to succeed in the CJFL cocked and ready, the team has sought to prepare as well as possible for the upcoming season.

“Our team has participated in a team based off-season conditioning program, which has seen a number of players make significant gains,” explains Stevens. Weekly position specific practices have put our offensive and defensive units in a great position to accomplish our goals in our upcoming Spring Camp.”

While those goals will center around player development and further preparation for the fall, the ultimate goal in 2012 will be to improve upon last year’s PFC Finals loss.

“The Colts are looking to build on the momentum from making it to the PFC Final last season,” says Stevens, who hopes that achieving goals in camp will lead to achieving them on the field in 2012.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Leave a Reply