Junior Eagles looking to soar into the playoffs (PREVIEW)

The Junior Varsity Etobicoke Eagles are ready to soar into the playoffs. They are ready to show the rest of the OVFL that they are the real deal. They should not be underestimated and watch for them to make a push for a playoff position this season.

With a relatively small roster, the Eagles are looking for their stars to step up and lead the team to victory. The team this year is built up of some core returning players and a lot of youth. With 34 players on the roster, everyone has a fighting chance of being the best player on the field. 18 rookies have joined the Junior Eagles this season and they are looking to take a leadership role and help the team be victorious.

The Eagles have some stars on their team that everyone should watch to step up and take control of the game. With strength on the offense and defense, the Eagles team is looking to play hard each week. They have the necessary tools to be one of the elite teams in the OVFL this season.

Starting middle linebacker Eric Kim returns for another year with the Eagles. A student at Etobicoke Collegiate Institute, Eric will be there to help transition some of the younger players into the defense. He will always be there to provide leadership and guidance for all the players on the team.

Yanni Taxidis is one of the best DB’s in the league this year and is looking to have a big season with the Eagles.  He was part of the OVFL Prospects Game and has the instincts of a season veteran. He is a versatile player who is sure to make big plays in the future.

Yanni is partnered up with Steven Reyes, a fellow DB looking for a big season. Steven joined in on the OVFL Prospect Game and is able to cover the field in the blink of an eye. He is a free safety that will provide a security blanket for the Eagles defense this year.

Offensively the Eagles are just as strong. They are looking to have a big season and put points up on the scoreboard. With a pair of great receivers and a strong running game expect to see some big plays this year.

Matt McKelvey is a slot back from Richview Collegiate. He is back for another year and can call himself a captain this season. Matt is a strong player with a lot of football smarts. His versatility allows him to make plays all over the field. He is capable of making something out of nothing and has the potential to be a great receiver on the team this season.

Running back Jesse Amankwaa was one of the top 10 rushers in the league last season and is looking to get into that number 1 slot this year. With the 3^rd most carries in the league last year, Jesse is a stellar player with plenty of potential. He is a strong, durable runner who will carry the Eagles to victory this year.

Slot back Donovan Hayden also joined in the OVFL Prospects Game recently. The speedy inside receiver has shown true strengths and toughness at his willingness to cross the middle of the field in an attempt to make big plays. He will be there to spark the passing game and give the Eagles quarterback another elite target.

The Eagles are looking for returning leadership to carry them into the playoffs this season. With the core of their team returning, the players know what it’s like to play as a team and be successful. After a hard fought season last year, these men are back to fight once again. The new players have leaders all over the field to help them and guide them to the playoffs. The Etiobicoke team has an extremely tough team this season. Head coach Alex Delo tells CFC, “Last year was a difficult season. We had a very young team and in my opinion our schedule was one of the toughest in the league. Our returning players got to see firsthand how tough you have to be to be successful in this league, which will help our team moving forward.” The athleticism of this team is great this year. Even though they don’t have a ton of players, they bring a lot of stellar athletes at key positions. They are all capable of making big plays at any time.

“We always go into every season with the goal of establishing realistic expectations. We truly believe that we will be a much more competitive team this year than we were last year, and with the players we have returning we are hoping that we can be in the playoff conversation in the last few weeks of the season. Our team has a lot of work to do, but I know our players and coaches are up to the challenge,” wants to let all readers know.

Keep your eyes on the Eagles this year as they make their run for the playoffs.