The countdown begins to CanadaFootballChat.com Ontario Prospect Challenge on the May 1st weekend. Β In the days leading up to OPC, CFC will preview the teams, coaches and players participating in the big event.
Commitment has guided Troy Curtis to success on the gridiron.
βI don’t quit something after I make a commitment, and I do everything I can to make myself the best player I can be,β elaborated the 6β3, 300 pound offensive lineman.
During his time with South London Lions of the Thames Valley Regional Athletic Association (TVRAA) and Forest City Thunderbirds of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC), has relished every chance to stonewall opponentβs defences.
βThe thing I like most about playing offensive line is running the ball down defense’s throats, and getting pancakes on unsuspecting defensive players,β added Curtis.Β βI play offensive line because itβs a like a brotherhood of five men in the trenches working their hardest to allow the other offensive players to succeed and I believe that every play starts with the guys up front.β
His inspiration for succeeding at the position comes from a couple of fellow teammates.
βTwo offensive linemen that I look up to are teammates Kevin and Kyle Boismier,β expressed Curtis.Β βThey have such a high amount of skill and a lot of knowledge of the game.β
βThey put in so much work on and off the field to get where they are now and their passion for football is undying.β
Under Friday Night Lights, the offensive lineman will showcase his talents at the Ontario Prospect Challenge (OPC) as a member of Team Westβs Varsity squad.
βOne of my friends, Braedon Lehman played for OPC last year and said that it was a great experience, and that we should try out,β recalled Curtis of his introduction to OPC.Β βMy brother and I went over this and decided that we should try out for OPC, hopefully to learn new things, become better players and make some new friends.β
Overall, the OPC process has been an enjoyable, yet informative experience.
βI’ve made a lot of friends and to be playing alongside some of the best players in Ontario is amazing,β reflected the Team West offensive lineman.Β βAll the OPC coaches are really great.β
βThey explain everything clearly and leave no questions unanswered. I think itβs excellent that they give a lot of their time and effort to provide young players with this experience to become better players and teach them new things about the game of football.β
Curtis is not bothered by the pressure that comes with playing this big game and trusts that his preparation will help him on Friday night.
βI will focus only on the game and my assignments as an offensive lineman,β said the Team West standout, who has been reading over our plays and memorizing his assignments. βI won’t let the atmosphere of the game and the crowd affect how I perform.β
Ultimately, Curtis hopes to turn in an impressive performance, especially in front of recruiters.Β While he will graduate this spring, the offensive lineman will return back for a Victory Lap.Β He is active on the recruitment front as he is considering Western, Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier, Carleton, St. Francis Xavier and Guelph.
For his part, the Team West standout is excited to compete with and against other OPC participants.
βThe thing I am looking forward to the most is having the opportunity to play with and against possibly some of the best players in the province,β added Curtis.Β βI am most excited to compete with all the of the Hamilton Hurricanes players because they are all very good athletes.β
βI am most excited to compete against all of the Burlington players because they are good athletes as well and playing against good players is one of the steps in becoming a better player myself.β
Moreover, the offensive lineman has set his sights on accomplishing a few main objectives at OPC.
βMy personal goals for OPC would be to play to the best of my ability, do my job and work hard,β explained Curtis.Β βMy team goals would obviously be to win the game and be a supportive teammate.β
It is his hope that OPC will get him further in his quest to achieve his long-term gridiron goal.
βOne thing I want to achieve as an offensive linemen is to become the best offensive linemen I can be through hard work and dedication and to be respected by my coaches and teammates,β expressed Curtis.
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