Ontario Prospect Challenge Profile: General hoping to become a better LB

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Positions:
Linebacker (Middle), Longsnapper

Height/Weight:
5’5”, 130lbs

Team:
Niagara Generals (OVFFL)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Considerations:
Western, McMaster, Open

Class:
2021

Sandro Pierini started playing football at the house league level in Niagara Falls at the age of nine.

In his first year, he was asked to try out for the atom Niagara Generals in the Ontario Varsity Fall Football League (OVFFL). He made the team and played on the starting line.

Sandro has now spent four years playing football with the Generals.

The General has spent time on both sides of the ball over the years, but has been a long-snapper since the beginning.

Recently, he has been playing as middle linebacker, and learning how to master the position with different stances and styles according to my defence.

Moreover, this will be Sandro’s second Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC).

“My first goal for OPC is to make the team, my second goal is to learn how to become a better middle linebacker as this is my dream position and the position my father played in his high school career,” said Sandro.

“I believe this will be my future position later in my career,” added the General. “My third goal is to get 10+ total tackles in the game we play.”

During the offseason the linebacker plays hockey to help him train, in addition to attending the Niagara Spears skills and drills football camp.

Sandro also trains at home by using cones for footwork drills, doing crunches, appropriate weight lifting, skipping, chin-ups, stretches and elastic pulls.

He also does a linebacker shuffle relay in a workout I made for himself for strength and speed.

The General’s football role model is his father, who taught him everything he knows as a linebacker and long-snapper.

“I wouldn’t be playing football if it wasn’t for him,” explained Sandro.

In terms of the NFL, his idol is Lawrence Timmins of the Pittsburgh Steelers because he always comes through in the clutch and can make big tackles against running backs like Marshawn Lynch.

“I love football because it has a long history in my family,” commented the linebacker, whose father and grandfather played as well.

“Football is a true team sport, everyone is necessary and needs to work together and trust one another,” continued Sandro. “I instantly fell in love with football when I started to play and I knew this sport would be a part of my future.”