Redcoats romp in football opener
Sam Wilson was all over the field Thursday as the Governor Simcoe Redcoats opened the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Tier 2 football season with a 35-0 victory over the visiting Eden Flyers.
“He is one of our Grade 12s and he just brings everything,” Simcoe head coach Jamie Brophy said. “He is a great leader, he works hard and he is a great example for the younger players. They are following his lead which is fantastic and he never comes off the field. He is on the whole game.”
Wilson had a strong game on defence from his halfback position, scored a pair of rushing majors and added a two-point convert in the victory over the Flyers.
The 18-year-old is adjusting well to his role as one of the team’s 12B players.
“It is my last year and I want to win a championship and it is a lot different,” he said. “The main thing is looking out for teammates and this team is built like a family. We all like each other and we want to find success.”
He helps contribute to that success by playing both ways. He spent the off-season preparing for that role.
“I do a lot of power lifting and explosive movements and on my off days I do a lot of running around my neighbourhood. One day I might do two kilometres and rest up the next day and do some power lifting. And the next day I will do three or four kilometres.”
Wilson is confident the team has what it takes to win a championship in 2023.
“Our defence is good but it is mainly our offence and I feel that will play a factor. But we also need to get the young kids more experience.”
Wilson was unable to play Niagara Spears travel football this past summer because of work commitments but he is hoping to play next year. He loves football.
“I love that satisfying feeling and even losing gives you motivation. When you win, it’s that feeling that you played hard and well.”
He admits he prefers playing offence compared to defence.
“I like that feeling of getting a first down or a touchdown,” the 6-foot-1, 210-pounder said.
Brophy liked how his team played Thursday.
“It was great. We are such a young team with only one senior and three 12Bs and for the kids to come out, excel like that and play disciplined was fantastic.”
Brophy loves his roster this season.
“They are so balanced and we have some experience across the team with guys who have played on the line and at wide receiver. Our quarterback Naoh Budgell is a stabilizing force back there.”
Flyers head coach Bob Krzeczkowski stated the obvious after Thursday’s game.
“We have a few things we need to work on. It is a long season and this is our first game. We had one week of practice and we are just going to try and regroup and go from there.”
Krzeczkowski feels he has some pieces to work with this season.
“There are definitely some athletes here. We are just thin and that is about it.”
The retired teacher is back coaching after about a decade’s absence. His last coaching gig was at Sir Winston Churchill.
“My nephew [Charles Krzeczkowski) plays on this team and there was a possibility of not having a team so I volunteered.”
He describes the experience as interesting and fun.
“I am honestly amazed by the athleticism of the kids on our team and Simcoe as well. This is really good football.”
STATS PACK
Redcoats 35 Flyers 0
Cat’s Caboose Player of the Game: Simcoe’s Sam Wilson with TD runs of one and 20 yards and a two-point convert on a run.
For the Governor Simcoe Redcoats: Wilson, two TDs and a two-point convert; two one-yard QB keepers TDs by Noah Budgell; 34-yard TD pass from Budgell to Marshall Sumbler; Sacks by Lucas Landry and Mason Hoad.
For the Eden Flyers: Strong return game by Brody Payne.
Game stats: First downs: Simcoe 15, Eden 7. Net offence: Simcoe 228 , Eden 102; Penalties: Simcoe 7 for 65 yards, Eden 7 for 78 yards.
