Mustangs aiming high in 2024
The Saint Michael Mustangs senior football team is ready to build on last year’s success.
In 2023, the squad made it to the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association championship game before falling to the defending champion Notre Dame Fighting Irish and also got a taste of the next level by competing in the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association semifinals against the Westmount Wildcats.
“It was a fantastic experience to get to that level and see that type of competition and we had never done that before. We had been in the finals but had never gone to SOSSA,” Saint Michael head coach Brian Carter said. “It was an eye-opener to see the quality of football being played at that level. Hopefully the guys continued to train in the offseason to prepare to get back to that spot after seeing what it took to get there.”
Returning 12B offensive guard/defensive end Jacob Shannon described the school’s first-ever SOSSA experience as crucial for the players and the coaches.
“To get that taste of what top teams was important for the boys. It was huge to have that experience and to know what it takes. We are ready.”
The 17-year-old agrees the experience was an eye-opener.
“It certainly did not go our way and we certainly saw what it takes with the longevity of the season and what you need win it,” the 6-foot-3 265-pounder said. “We know what it takes to lose and we know how hard we have to prepare in those last couple of weeks in the season to get over the hump and end up beating one of those teams.”
Doing that is the goal.
“Our expectations are the same as last year. Two teams from the Catholic board went to SOSSA last year and this year it is only one. Our goal is to make it back to SOSSA and compete against Myer and Westmount,” Shannon said. “The SOSSA region has three teams ranked in the top 10 on the Ontario high school football Instagram page and we’re not even mentioned in there. We take that personally here and the fellows work hard every single day.”
It won’t be easy.
“We will need to minimize our injuries and continue to execute because it doesn’t take much for a turnover to happen or a misplay,” Carter said. “We have to play clean and error-free football every week to be successful.”
He knows there is little margin of error against any team in the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association loop.
“There are no easy games and it is very physical football. Everybody is well-coached and you are not getting a week off to recover. You have to get in the trenches and bang out a win. Injuries happen and you have to hope they are nothing big and the guys are able to play the next week. It’s good though. It is better than not competing every week.”
Key players on the Mustangs are Shannon; offensive tackle/defensive end Tommy Dallman; quarterback Austin McRae; running back Connor Cavey; guard/middle linebacker Luca Garofalo; receiver/corner Jonah Cukierski; and, Spencer McRae.
“Every year you are looking at different players and seeing how things are going to fit and turn out with different pieces in different spots. We have some key guys coming back for their 12B year and that’s important,” Carter said. “We have some key pieces but our depth is not stellar which is always a concern especially in a contact sport. The core guys we have are looking promising.”
Shannon is at the top of the list when it comes to key players for the Mustangs.
“He has played with us all four years. He works hard, he trains in the offseason with the Spears, he is always here to open the change room and any time we need anything done or counted or collected he is there. He has done everything asked of him by the coaches and he is a great kid who is going to be successful no matter what he does outside of football,” Carter said. “He brings smarts to the field. He knows what to look for, he can read his keys, he is physical and very quick as a lineman. He has great hands and has the complete package for a lineman.”
Shannon is working hard each day to get better.
“I want to solidly my spot as one of the top players in this league. I am going to university next year and this is the last ride in high school.”
Shannon already has a scholarship offer from Windsor and other schools expressed interest in him.
“The last three weekends have been packed with game-day visits and there are lot of different schools looking at me and talking to me. I love Windsor and it is a great school but I will listen to anybody who is willing to take me on.”
