Junior raiders in quest for QJFL repeat

The Chateauguay Junior Raiders begin defence of their Quebec Junior Football League crown in Cumberland Aug. 28, within hailing distance of Nepean where they roared from behind to nip the Ottawa Riders in the Manson Cup championship tilt last fall.

“I think we can repeat,” says Raiders head coach Bruce Bennett, “because quite frankly this is the most talent I’ve seen on a football field at one time since I’ve been associated with the Junior Raiders.”

All Bennett needs to make that an accurate statement is to see the team’s 62 registered players all show up at practice. Due to holidays, work commitments and other reasons, the turnout is now down to 47 or less.

“I’m disappointed, but not discouraged,” Bennett said of the dropping numbers. “There’s been a lot of intensity among the keen players who do turn out,” he noted.

The team’s aerial attack is legend, but this year there should be an equally proficient ground game for the first time since the halcyon days of Denis Houle. Key artisans in that aspect are fullback Matt Kulokow, a newcomer from Manitoba, and running back Tevyn Nicholl from Montreal. Incumbent Enoch Mayrand-Blanchette has reportedly forsaken football this season in favor of mixed martial arts fighting.

The brilliant corps of receivers includes Jacques Void, Nicky Maguire, Cody Hemsley and Scott Payne, whom Bennett and assistant coach Mark (Max) McManus refer to as “our own Ben Cahoon” after the record-breaking Montreal Alouettes star. New additions to the receiving crops are Andrew Callendar from the midget Raiders, Laurent Foucault from LaSalle Warriors and Kevin Krupa from St. Laurent Spartans, a converted quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks, field general Mathieu René has become an incredible team leader. “He went from being shy and reclusive as a rookie to being a take-charge guy,” McManus praises. “Winning the cup last year gave him a lot of confidence.”

The Raiders’ offensive line is stacked solid with nine behemonths, including returning veterans Adam Keating, Marc-Antoine Sheldon, Corey Arsenault, Primo Capriolo-Morris and Laurent Legoute. Unfortunately, only three or four come out to practice at a time, citing job commitments or lack of transportation to Chateauguay.

McManus, who is in charge of the defensive backs, has eight at his disposal. Safety David Centomo is back after spending two months in Asia and is 20 pounds lighter. The continghent also includes halfback Kevin Glanville, corner Rakeen Desmond, Manson Cup defensive MVP Dexter Tanner from Kahnawake, Tafari Williams, Benjamin Denis, Garry Patterson and Jovan Deschesnes-Cober, whose nickname is Tiny Tim, for obvious reasons: He is anything but tiny!

Brett Burchell, a giant among linebackers, is back in the fold after spending two years on Calgary oil rigs. Other veteran LBs are Dominic (The Beast) Charest, Matt Rankin and Anthony McComber of Kahnawake.

The defensive line consists of Olivier Turcot-Bélanger, who goes by his iniitials of OTB; Fraser Dufort,

Simon Foisy-Léger, and defending league MVP Kleevens Jean-Louis. The team is still hunting for a middle guard. Newcomer Cedric Guillaume has yet to report to camp.

The Raiders have an extraordinary coaching staff. in addition to Bennett and McManus, there’s defensive co-ordinator Derek Durocher and offensive co-ordinator Matt Muirhead, along with Mike Harrington, linebackers; Chris Walker, defensive line; Larry Tomlinson and Al Peacock, receivers; Morvin Kernis, offensive line, and Steve Faubert, quarterbacks. Trainers are Maria Xenos, Valerie Cimini and intern Katie Zimmermann. Team president is John Mouland.

The Raiders had two exhibitrion games tentatively scheduled but both Laval and St. Lazare backed out of previous commitments to come to Chateauguay. “Our finances are hurting this year so we can’t travel in the pre-season,” Bennett explained.

The Raiders’ home opener is slated for Sunday, Sept. 5 at Billings at 2 p.m. It will also be Raider Alumni Day which is being organized by Timmy Dumont and Michael Coles.

Dan Rosenburg
Le Soleil de Châteauguay – 21 août 2010
Sports > Actualité sportive