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.
On the gridiron, Alex Gingras is focused on one sole thing.
“On the field, you have to be determined,” elaborated the 5’6, 138 pound running back. “As soon as I step on the field, everything else doesn’t matter.”
“The only thing that does matter is that I give it my all and make sure my team does as well.”
Gingras has spent his entire career playing for the Thunder Bay Knights of the Thunder Bay Minor Football Association (TBMFA).
“My best football moment is after three years of losing and practically losing every game,” recalled the running back of his time with the Knights. “The coach decided to put us in Crossfit and the following season we went 5-1 and were silver division champions when we played in Minneapolis, Minnesota.”
The offensive standout credits his mother for encouragement and inspiration on and off the field.
“I look up to and model my game after my mom; she’s always there for me she attends all my practices and all my games no matter what,” expressed Gingras. “I always show respect and give it 100 percent on and off the field!”
On Saturday, Gingras will take part in the Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) as a part of Team Halton-Peel’s Underclassmen squad.
“The decision was very easy,” commented the running back of how he chose to try out for OPC. “I personally think OPC is a great opportunity for players like me from smaller cities like Thunder Bay where football isn’t that popular.”
Overall, he has enjoyed every element of the OPC process.
“It’s been great so far,” reflected Gingras. “I loved the tryouts and all the coaches had to offer.”
“They gave me lots of pointers on how to improve my game. Hopefully, the game will be as fun as well.”
With this game comes the pressure of playing in front of many spectators at Kiwanis Field in St. Catharines. However, Gingras has mixed emotions when it comes to the event and he is taking measures to prepare for the big day.
“Personally, I am a little nervous to play the game but not compared to as excited I am to be able to play with the best players of my age in Ontario,” said the Team Halton-Peel running back. “Me and my friends who made the team practice with our coach as much as we can when the weather is nice.”
Having the opportunity to see how he measures up with other players in the province is an opportunity he is thrilled about.
“I’m looking forward to being able to play with and against some of the best football players in Ontario and to have fun playing my favourite sport,” offered Gingras. “I’m excited to compete with the players that I’m going down with from Thunder Bay and some of the players that I met at the tryouts.”
With the fact he’s only in grade eight, it is too soon for Gingras to begin the recruitment process. However, there is one long term goal he would like to achieve in his gridiron career.
“The one thing I want to achieve as a player is to be the best football player I can be,” commented the Team Halton-Peel running back.
For now, his sights are on the game against Team West on Saturday. Ultimately, he wants to accomplish a couple of specific objectives at the event.
“My personal goals for OPC are really just to have fun with it and maybe get noticed on my game,” expressed Gingras.
(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
CFC100 Class of 2025 Scouting Reports: CFC Prospect Game alumni throwing dimes in New York
