Ontario Prospect Challenge Profile: Practiced Norseman

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Positions:
Quarterback, Slotback, Wide Receiver

Height/Weight:
6’0, 205 lbs

Teams:
Bel-Air Norseman (NCAFA)
Ottawa Myers Riders (OVFL)

Commitment:
None

Official Visits:
None

Considerations:
None

Class:
2016

Quinn Stewart started playing the sport at the age of seven, and just wrapped up his eleventh year of competitive football at the age of 17.

Quinn started playing with the Bell Warriors in the National Capital Amateur Football Association (NCAFA), were he stayed for nine years, playing both sides of the ball before landing on quarterback.

In his time as a Warrior, he was team captain for five years, and won five personal trophies such as Team MVP.

The quarterback also led his team to a championship, on top of competing for it five consecutive times.

Quinn also played in both NCAFA All-Star games he was eligible for as a Warrior.

Moreover, he volunteered as a quarterback coach on the peewee, mosquito and tyke team on his free nights and during the club’s winter workout sessions.

Eventually Quinn made a switch to the black and gold jersey of the Bel-Air Norseman in the NCAFA, where he played two seasons.

“It was a great experience to be with a different club and a different coaching style and scheme,” said Quinn.

In his first season with the Norsemen, he played a smaller role due to knee and shoulder injuries.

Quinn’s second season brought a midget championship title, was voted to his third NCAFA All-Star game and was just named Bel-Air Norsemen MVP.

This past summer he played in the Ontario Varsity Football League (OVFL) with the Myers Riders, losing in the provincial championship game.

Quinn also participated in last year’s Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC), where our Ontario East team beat Central Ontario 46-6.

His high school also had a football team, although only for a year of his school career, where he played as quarterback for varsity.

This past year he also served as offensive coordinator for the school’s junior team, giving him an appreciation for the game from a different point-of-view.

On top of this, he also participated in the Ontario Prospect Challenge in 2014, as well as many football and quarterback camps including Capital QB’s Winter QB Clinic hosted by Ron Raymond and the Damon Allen Quarterback Academy to name a couple.

This year Quinn’s goal for the OPC is similar to last year’s goal.

“Impress, execute as well as I know I can, make smart reads and decisions, and try to limit mistakes,” commented the Norseman. “If I get out of the pocket and make some plays, show good footwork, composure, vision and get the ball out in good time, I think my goal will be achieved.”

To Quinn, football is a year round sport, which is why he spends the offseason he spends time in the gym working out at Elite Performance Academy with Pat Woodcock and Donnie Ruiz doing on field and in the gym agility and speed training along with positional training.

He also plays basketball for his school’s tier one team, which he captained to a city championship last year, to help with his hand-eye coordination, quick footwork, endurance and explosiveness.

The Norseman also attends as many camps as possible to get more input and instruction.

Some camps he has attended in the past are, Queen’s University Elite Passing Camp, Complete QB Academy Clinic in Montvale, N.J., the Super-Elite’s Provincial Football Camp, the University of Ottawa Advanced QB Camps and the University of Ottawa’s Summer Football Camp, which he got MVP at in 2014.

On the field, his role model is Tom Brady because he is a quarterback that demands the most out of his teammates, lifting tem up when the team is down and leading them through the struggle.

“To me, this is one of the most important quarterback has,” explained Quinn. “The team must believe in you so you must earn their belief and trust.”

He also believes that a quarterback must be able to show his teammates that they’ll always give 100%, be able to read and react to what a defence throws at you, be able to adapt to the game, and remain calm and poised.

“Tom has mastered all of these abilities,” commented Quinn. “His newly found ability to move around more effectively in and out of the pocket and still hit his spot just makes him all te more lethal to other teams’ defences.”

The Norseman loves to play football for a variety of reasons, but it all comes down to it being the ultimate sport as it involves aspects of every type, from contact to grace.

“The feeling of camaraderie between teammates all determined to be the best they can be for one another all striving for a common goal is awesome,” said Quinn. “There is nothing as exciting as knowing that a game can change in a split second with one big play.”

Aside from the unique atmosphere that no other sport can match, he also likes the values it instils.

“It teaches us the value of leadership, hard work, confidence, working together, taking instructions, taking criticism and how to make quick decisions,” continued Quinn.

“It is the complete challenge.”