OFC: Tiger Cats off to strong start

Head Coach McCallum proud of overall performance

Only two games into their season, the Hamilton Varsity Ticats of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC) are off to a commanding start with recent victories. The Varsity Ticats are 2-0 while the Junior Varsity team captured their first win in Waterloo last Sunday.

For junior varsity Head coach Bert McCallum, he hopes their win against the Predators will add fuel to the fire and grow a winning streak. He added that as a young team it might be difficult to get started but if you give it your all every game, you will grow up very fast.

“We are a young team, I hope to keep building and growing each week with this group” said McCallum.

The JV Ticats lost their home opener to the Brantford Bisons 29-22 on May 28^th but quickly fired back with a huge victory in Waterloo against the Twin-Cities Predators 51-13 last Sunday. McCallum credited his team for fighting hard and finishing strong but his first star player was Ryan Leder.

“Ryan Leder was a beast. He forced two fumbles that we scooped and scored touch downs, one by him” added McCallum.

McCallum also gave good credit to the Predators who fought hard and never gave up.

“They are a well-coached team.”

Coach McCallum believes one of the best strengths on the team is their defence but the unity and character of the team is the real strength, it makes it fun to coach and the team always comes strong seeking a big win. But there’s always room for improvement, he acknowledges that the team is very young but he hopes to build the team and make it a strong young group.

“At this level you have to have a firm grasp of fundamentals, so building on that is our biggest obstacle” said McCallum

The Ticats return to Hamilton at Ron Joyce Stadium June 18^th to host the Guelph Jr Gryphons and the JV Ticats are hoping to power through the Gryphons. The sting of defeat in last season’s playoffs is their motivation to win.

“We’d like to play them hard and come out with a physical win” said McCallum.

All Photo credits: Jennifer Silvestri