Weekly ‘Did you know’ (4): Willson’s opportunity, Bison woes, CJFL upset & questionable officiating in Moose Jaw (VIDEO)

Each week, CanadaFootballChat.com will bring you some of the fascinating stories from Canadian amateur football

We introduce to you the next weekly installment of CFC’s “Did you know”:

1)      WILLSON’S BIG OPPORTUNITY?

Seattle Seahawks tight end Luke Willson could be on the brink of getting a major chance to play a lot more. With this week’s news that Zach Miller underwent ankle surgery, the LaSalle, Ontario native’s name was mentioned in in the mix as his possible replacement as starting tight end.  In an interview with Seahawks.com , Willson has always been preparing for the possibility of filling in:

“It’s one of those things where when you’re the backup guy you kind of always want to prepare for it,” said Willson in the interview with Tony Drovetto. “I’ve been here practicing and we rotate, so it’s one of those things where I don’t really feel like I’m entering new territory.”

Miller is expected to be out a few weeks. Willson is the frontrunner among three other players to replace him.  For Willson, this is not the first time he has filled in as a starter. Last season, he started two games when Miller sustained other injuries. Not only would Willson fill in at tight end, but also as longnsapper.

2)      ELIMIMIAN’S TRASH TALK GOES VIRAL:

Prior to a halftime interview with TSN, BC Lions linebacker Soloman Elimimian got into a heated exchange of words with Calgary Stampeders defensive back Fred Bennett.  As it was videotaped, the most entertaining part was how Elimimian moved from the trash-talking into the interview, which has since gone viral.  It bring a new dimension into a classic CFL rivalry.

3)      BAD NEWS FOR THE BISONS:

Not the best news the Manitoba Bisons wanted to hear.  Defensive lineman Evan Gill tore his ACL and is out for the remainder of the CWUAA season. He sustained the injury during the first half of the team’s disappointing 42-41 loss to the Calgary Dinos. Gill, who was chosen ninth in the 2014 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had a special visitor a week before – a Green Bay Packers scout came to Winnipeg to check him out.

4)      ROOKIE LEAVES STINGERS?

Another story from this past week in the RSEQ developed that was not about the McGill Redmen. Reports surfaced that Concordia Stingers running back Gunner Tatum has left the team. The recruit from Texas suffered a concussion but Stingers Head Coach Mickey Donovan has confirmed through La Journal de Quebec.  Tatum did not suit up for the Stingers in their interlock game against Saint Mary’s Huskies and at this point, his status is unknown for their Stingers upcoming game against Laval.

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5)      LANCER MAKES OUA DEBUT:

Jake Lindley’s story is quite inspiring. He dreamed of playing a varsity sport in the OUA.  The Chatham, Ontario native made the Windsor Lancers after showing up as a walk-on.  This past weekend, Lindley realized his ultimate dream as he dressed for the Lancers and saw some playing time in their game against the York Lions.  The defensive back had a broken pass in the 35-3 victory over the Lions.

 

6)      UPSET IN CJFL:

This past week saw a huge upset in the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) in the Canadian Junior Football League. The Calgary Colts defeated defending CJFL Champions Regina Thunder 20-13. Before this game was played, the Colts had a 1-4 record while the Thunder sported a 4-1 mark.

7)      RAINBOWS IN NIAGARA:

Last weekend at Kiwanis Field, the Niagara Generals designated their game day against the Toronto Thunder to Avilia’s Rainbows – a group that helps families in the Niagara Region that have been impacted by cancer.  This cause has hit close to home for the Generals as Scott Gemmell has not been able to play since 2011 due to fighting the disease.  The Generals have retired his number (54) and each season, the team presents him with a game jersey. Additionally, each player on the team wears a patch on their shoulders with Gemmell’s number.  The Thunder added an extra element as they presented Gemmell with an Orlando Franklin jersey, football and a Thunder helmet.

Through the various fundraisers during the day, the Generals raised $1301.00.  This money will be donated to Craig and Chantal Vanderklei to help those Niagara area families who seek cancer treatment at McMaster.

(Photo credit:  Gary Archer)

8)      RIFLES SUPPORT MATTES:

The PFC’s Winnipeg Rifles are holding a fundraiser this Saturday to help teammate Blair Mattes. This past August, the Rifles running back was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The 2013 PFC Rookie All-Star only played three games this year before the diagnosis. As for this treatment, Mattes has undergone two rounds of chemotherapy and has his last appointment on October 22^nd. He hopes to return on the field next season.  CanadaFootballChat.com wishes Mattes all the best during this time.

9)      SUSPECT OFFICIATING IN MOOSE JAW HIGH SCHOOL?

An intriguing storyline is emerging out of the Moose Jaw High School Football League (MJHSFL). The ECS Elecs have launched an appeal after a questionable officiating call resulted in the Central Cyclones winning the game. It is reported in the Estevan Mercury that Elecs Head Coach Mark Schott has sent in video which shows the play in question should be an incomplete pass and not a touchdown as it was originally ruled.  There have been questions raised whether there has been favourable officiating among home teams.  Stay tuned on how this appeal and story unfolds.

10)   GREYHOUNDS TACKLING DUO:

This season, the Saint John Greyhounds of the New Brunswick High School Football League (NBHSFL) has a female twin tandem.  Ashley and Allisha Murphy are suiting up for the Greyhounds, who compete in the 12-Man Conference.  The identical twins are fitting in perfectly and are standouts on the Greyhounds this fall.