University coaches supportive of Predators’ CJFL team

The head coaches of Waterloo’s two university football teams are throwing their moral support behind the new Canadian Junior Football League Predators franchise.

Gary Jeffries, head coach of the Laurier Golden Hawks, and Dennis McPhee, head coach of the Waterloo Warriors, have both expressed enthusiastic support for the newest national-level franchise under the Ontario Football Conference.

“The new Predators team means more opportunities for kids to be involved in football – this is always good!” said Jeffries. “And greater community interest in football in general will help the Twin Cities program and both local university programs. “

“The University of Waterloo Warrior football program welcomes the CJFL Predators in their inaugural season,” agreed McPhee. “The CJFL has a rich tradition of outstanding football and development of players for the CIS and the CFL, providing an exciting brand of competitive football. “

The CJFL is a great opportunity not just for players who don’t attend either WLU or UW, but also for players attending the universities who aren’t yet starters, but want more playing time, Jeffries said.

“If the Preds are interested in any of our players who may need further development to play at the CIS level, I would certainly encourage them to play with the Predators,” Jeffries said. “There may also be some kids who are developed in the CJFL who would like to move on to CIS football.”

Jeffries does not expect any issues with the Predators and two universities competing for players.

“There is lots of room for three good teams in the region,” Jeffries said. “With good, supportive coaching staffs in all three programs, we will not get in each other’s way!”
McPhee said the Warriors organization “looks forward to working closely with the Predators and Twin Cities Minor Tackle Football Association as they begin to create their own tradition of excellence.

“Waterloo Region has a great football talent base led by outstanding organizations such as the TCMTFA, and a rich history in Junior Football,” McPhee added. “We look forward to the development of the program and watching these young men develop and compete in one of the top leagues in the country.”

The Predators begin regular practices at Warrior Field on July 19 under head coach Chris Triantafilou, who preceded McPhee at the Warriors’ helm.

Triantafilou spent a total of 23 years on the Warriors coaching staff, acting as a receivers coach, defensive back coach, and defensive coordinator before holding the top post for seven seasons. He was the defensive coordinator on the 1997 Yates Cup championship team and the head coach of the Warriors when they claimed their second Yates Cup in 1999.

Single game and season tickets for the Predators home games are now available in advance at [url]www.predatorsfootball.ca , or on game days at Laurier’s University Stadium (Knight-Newbrough Field). Tickets are $10 per game or $30 for a regular season pass (4 home games).
The Predators’ home opener is August 27 against the St. Leonard Cougars, with kick off scheduled for 7 p.m.