The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com Ontario Prospect Challenge on the May 1st weekend. In the days leading up to OPC, CFC will preview the teams, coaches and players participating in the big event.
Devin Giertuga is relentless when it comes to improving on the gridiron.
“I am dedicated because I am always trying my best and working my hardest” explained the 5’2, 100 pound defensive back (cornerback).
During the past five seasons with the Thunder Bay Knights, Giertuga has steadily developed in his position.
“I like having to read the play and reacting,” added the cornerback, who tries to emulate NFL star Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawk) on the field.
Overall, Giertuga has played the sport for eight years and has one moment that stands out in his career.
“I have never won a championship, but my last year before going in to high school football I won my first championship and it was a great moment in my football career,” recalled the defensive standout.
One week from today, Giertuga will compete in the Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) as a member of Team Halton-Peel’s Underclassmen squad. He credits his coach for introducing him to the experience.
“First my coach sent an email seeing who wanted to try out,” reflected the cornerback. “Me and a few of my friends decided we wanted to try out.”
“We had a few small practices for it then we flew to Toronto for Thunder Bay. I was really nervous to tryout but once we started I calmed down. About a week after, I got an email saying congrats you made team Halton-Peel and I was super excited.”
Even though he attended one tryout, Giertuga said the OPC process has been satisfactory and meeting coaches as well as players has been a highlight thus far.
“I haven’t worked with the coaches that much but so far it’s been a great experience because they are experienced coaches and I am going to learn a lot and bring this experience back to Thunder Bay,” added Giertuga. “I’m looking forward to the experience and what the coaches will teach me to become a better football player.”
“I enjoy learning new plays.”
The OPC game against Team West on May 2nd at Kiwanis Field in St. Catharines will be one of the bigger events the cornerback will participate in during his gridiron career. However, he is confident of how he will deal with the pressure.
“I will handle the pressure by pretending like it’s a regular game back home in Thunder Bay,” offered Giertuga.
However, the defensive standout is training hard so that he is prepared come game day.
“I have been playing catch, biking, running, wrestling, and having football practices with the six of us who made it,” said the Team Halton-Peel cornerback.
Ultimately, Giertuga is looking forward to playing with and against the best players in the province.
“I’m most excited to compete with and against all the players because I can learn a lot from them because they are all very good players,” commented the cornerback.
Even though recruitment and university is far away, he already has given some thought as to his future aspirations and those extend beyond the gridiron.
“When I am older and if my football career comes to an end, I would want to become a police officer,” expressed Giertuga.
For now, Giertuga has one gridiron feat he would like to accomplish soon.
“I want to achieve getting a pick six,” said the cornerback.
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)
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