As teams prepare for the start of the Nova Scotia Varsity Football League (NSVFL) 2012 regular season, there is a lot of anticipation, yet excitement of how it will all unfold.
Will the Dartmouth Destroyers repeat as junior varsity champions? Will the Timberlea Renegades (formerly the Halifax Redhawks) be successful in avenging their overtime loss to the Destroyers and hoist the crown? Will the drive and explosive talent on the Halifax Seahawks be enough to catapult them to the top? What about the Mustangs and how will Team Nova Scotia’s under-16 team fare?
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The answers to all those intriguing story lines are about to be unraveled as the league opens play on Saturday April 21st. As we inch closer to the opening kickoff, here is a season preview of four of five teams that will be competing in the junior varsity division:
Halifax Seahawks:
2011: 3-3, lost to Halifax Redhawks in semi-finals 35-13
Head Coaches:
Jon Dyer (co-head coach, offensive coordinator)
Mike Thomson (co-head coach, defensive coordinator)
Assistant Coaches: A’dre Fraser (receivers), Rick Baigent (offensive line), Kadeem Adams (offensive line), Jesse Mills (quarterbacks), Emile Milton (defensive line), Dan Parker (defensive line), Matt Wheeler (defensive backs), Rob Wilson (defensive backs), Jeff McMillan (linebackers), Chris Harding (linebackers).
The Seahawks are driven and have sets their sights on the junior varsity championship title.
“Our team is committed to doing whatever it takes to win a championship,” explains Seahawks co-head coach and offensive coordinator Jon Dyer. “We have a lot of very talented returning players from last season who are committed to winning a championship.”
“Our offensive and defensive lines are going to shine all season and our speed in our skilled positions will ultimately make the difference.”
Improving from last season’s performance will be crucial if the Seahawks are to hoist the championship crown in 2012.
“We simply need to be more consistent with the things we did well last year and our fundamentals will be pivotal to our overall success,” says the Seahawks co-head coach. “Last year was a big learning curve for all of our rookies but these players are now comfortable and becoming leaders for the rest of the team.”
“We have great athletes on both sides of the ball and our offensive and defensive lines will be are big and quick.”
Inexperience on the field could be the Achilles heel for the Seahawks; however, Dyer says it could yield a positive thing for the team.
“We have a lot of guys who have not played major roles on their respected high school teams and this will be their first real opportunity to demonstrate their talent and lead a team,β comments Dyer.
The Seahawks will look for key returning players to provide leadership on the field. Among those players include quarterback Byron Kavanagh, receiver Drew MacIsaac, defensive back Liam Connell and defensive line/linebacker Eric Bowdridge.
Rookies on the team that will be expected to contribute immediately are running back Adrien Mopoho and defensive back Jonah Williams. One player that may become the “X” factor for the Seahawks is defensive line/running back Shaun Robinson, whom Dyer says is a “force on both sides of the ball.”
When the Seahawks take to the field, they will show their explosive game style.
“We have the ability to make big plays on both sides of the ball on any given play,” says the Seahawks co-head coach.
The offensive game execution plan for the Seahawks will include a balanced attack.
“Weβve got great speed and depth with our receivers and a running back that can break away on any given play,” comments Dyer of the unit. “Our offensive line is aggressive and intelligent which helps our run- game and pass protection.”
However, the team will rely on the strength of their defensive game.
“It is the guys up front that will lead the way,” adds the Seahawks co-head coach. “Our defensive line is the best unit on our team and they will be able to get after the opposing quarterbacks.”
On and off the field, players are expected to be completely committed in light of all they’ve been asked of them by the Seahawks coaching staff.
“It starts with respect for one another and the other players and coaches in this league,” explains the Seahawks co-head coach. “Effort and concentration are simply a given, but we expect more; we expect our players to go above and beyond what is needed to win football games and be leaders in their schools and communities.”
Ultimately, the Seahawks are ready to contend for the championship crown and knows what it will take to be victorious.
“We have a great mix of veteran returning players and talented rookies who are grateful for the opportunity to play this great game and appreciate the sacrifice it takes to win,” adds Dyer.
(Halifax Seahawks have a bye in week 1)
Metro Mustangs:
2011: 2-4, lost to Dartmouth Destroyers in semi-finals (43-6)
Head Coach:
Greg Bayne (also defensive coordinator)
Assistant Coaches: Chris Hachey (special teams, offensive line), Kevin Pelley (running backs, offensive skills), Austin Morrison (receivers), Matt Hood (offensive line), Joe MacLeod (defensive line), Rod Barton (defensive backs), Tiernan MacDougall (linebackers)
Another team that is looking for vast improvement from the previous season is the Mustangs. The team’s key for success in the league will be how the offensive unit responds on the field.
“Our success will be dependent on our offensive line and their ability to protect our quarterback and create space for our running backs,” explains Mustangs head coach and defensive coordinator Greg Bayne. “Last year, we were inexperienced at the quarterback position and we had a young offensive line that did not give our quarterback time to execute, not enough offensive production and too many turnovers.”
“Our offensive line is pretty much intact with some strong additions making us much better equipped to give our quarterback time.”
Pivot Sean Muir is a rookie pivot that will be expected to make an immediate impact the offensive unit. The Mustangs will be led by linebacker Taylor MacDonald, running back Dustin Brogaard, receiver Alex Bayne, receiver Ryan Keays and defensive tackle Jay Hachey.
The Mustangs hope that player depth will increase their chances of success.
“Our strengths lie with a large core of skilled and talented players we have on the team,” says Bayne. “Our ability to put these athletes in a position to make plays will be critical.”
However, the team does have some weaknesses.
“We have a number of first time football players and it will take some time to get them to the point where we need them,” comments the Mustangs head coach. “We also have some gaps at certain positions.”
Game execution will be crucial in every game. Bayne says the defensive unit will change up their style of play to keep opponents guessing.
“Defensively, we are going show our opponents different looks but be able to keep our schemes limited and execute them well,” adds Bayne. “All 12 players understanding their job with a strong focus on tackling and creating turnovers.”
As for the offensive unit, success will hinge on the Mustangs running game.
“Offensively our goals are to move the chains by establishing a power running game and then opening up the field by going downfield for the big play,” comments the Mustangs head coach.
Even though he’s been a coach for seven years, Bayne is only entering his second season with the Mustangs. This will be his first season as head coach of the team. He will ask the players to come prepared to compete in every single game.
“Be prepared for the game with the right nourishment and the right rest,” explains Bayne. “Be ready, start strong and give everything you have; be smart and do your job.”
“Play as a team and execute with intent. Don’t quit.”
(Metro Mustangs will play Timberlea Renegades on Saturday April 21 @ SMU Huskies Stadium. Game time is 4:30pm)
Timberlea Renegades:
2011: 5-1, lost to Dartmouth Destroyers in championship final 47-44 in overtime (NOTE: this team was previously Halifax Redhawks)
Head Coach:
Graham Packman
Assistant Coaches: Dave Kelly, Bill Haley, Dave Rent, Mark Chiasson, Lou Heulin, Cyril Lunney, Bob McDermid
After suffering an overtime loss at the hands of the Dartmouth Destroyers in the championship final in 2011, the Renegades are hungry to avenge the loss. The team knows what they must do on the field that will yield them positive results.
“For our defense to keep teams in second and long situations and give our offense a short field to work with,” explains assistant coach Bill Haley, who is entering his ninth year of coaching and second with the junior varsity team. “Last season, we lost in overtime in the finals but our offense moved the ball very well, so it will be to try and continue were we left off and get better as each week goes by.”
The offensive unit of the Renegades will be led by a core of returning players. Those players include tailback David Nisbet, speed back Hayden Clarke, and slotback Nate Rostek. As for the defensive side, linebacker Ahmed Ramadan, linebacker Donovan Blue and safety Brayden Culligan will be expected to lead the charge.
Renegades rookies to watch for are defensive end Josh Degruchy and outside linebacker Jack Chiasson. A player that could surprise many is slotback Seth Lane.
While the Renegades will rely on their offensive strength, there will be an adjustment phase of sorts as a first year quarterback will be coming in and learning the offensive scheme.
As for game execution plans for both the offensive and defensive unit, it’s pretty simple.
“Our offense is going to spread the field and will get the ball in our athleteβs hands and try and expose the weaknesses of the opponents’ defense,” comments Haley of game execution plans. “Our defense will be very aggressive and take the play to our opponents.”
Haley says that as a coach he will ask Renegades players to bring their competitiveness onto the field.
“I will ask them to play hard each and every play, respect the game, the work ethic, team concept and passion you gain on the field to also use these tools in everyday life and especially school,” comments the Renegades assistant coach.
Overall, Haley guarantees the Renegades will be the most entertaining team of the 2012 NSVFL junior varsity season.
“Just come out and watch,” adds Haley. “You will see 110 percent every play.”
(Timberlea Renegades will play Metro Mustangs on Saturday April 21 @ SMU Huskies Stadium. Game time is 4:30pm)
Team Nova Scotia under-16:
2011: Did not play
Head Coach:
Chris Valardo
Team Nova Scotia under-16 team has a very talented group of players and will look to be competitive against other squads in the NSVFL.
“The group of young athletes on our under-16 team this year is very talented and rivals our Canada Cup from two years ago that I coached to a fourth place finish,” says Team Nova Scotia head coach Chris Valardo. “We have a number of exceptional kids who I believe will be regular features in the coming years for CFC.”
Valardo himself has been a coaching fixture on the provincial team circuit for the past four seasons. During his time with the provincial program, Valardo has seen over 40 players move on from two Football Canada Cups to play for CIS or junior programs. He’s also seen the likes of Jesse Mills, Kadeem Adams, Jake LeBlanc and Adam Melanson go onto play for Team World or Team Canada under-20 programs.
There are a few players on the provincial team to keep an eye on: wide receiver/defensive back Marquis Diggs, defensive back Will Chamberlain and defensive lineman Robbie Holland. The team’s quarterback is Cameron Valardo,who’s ahead of his class at 14 years of age.
“These are just a few kids to watch,” explains Valardo. “Our team is under-16 so they are on average a year or two younger than the rest of the teams in the league but we have some very talented kids.”
(Team Nova Scotia under-16 will play Dartmouth Destroyers on Saturday April 21st @ SMU Huskies Stadium. Game time is 7:30pm)
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