Mustangs coming of age
The Saint Michael Mustangs senior football team ended last year’s football season on a high by defeating the Saint Paul Patriots 34-26 in the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association bronze medal game.
It was the first year back with a senior team at the school after a one-year absence and the Mustangs were much better at the end of the season compared to the start.
The 2022 campaign will pay dividends in 2023.
“We gained a lot of confidence because last year most of them were Grade 11s and our core was Grade 11s going into senior. After the experience and strength being a little bit on the other teams’ sides last year, we have gotten a little older now, we’re more experienced and the kids know what to expect at the senior level,” Mustangs head coach Brian Carter said. “This year, the guys will be coming out of the gate ready to go.”
The Mustangs are ready and able.
“We have a lot of Grade 12s back who have played for me in Grade 10 and 11 so we have a lot of continuity and some athleticism. This is the third year in the same scheme offensively and defensively and it is going to help,” he said. “Like most high school football teams, the depth is not always the greatest but the guys in the starting positions look strong and healthy. We are looking forward to a very good year.”
The team lost coaches Steve Roach (Denis Morris) and Loris Luchetta (Notre Dame) but they were ably replaced by the arrival of Brad Hubbard and Mark Antonelli from Blessed Trinity.
Carter agrees the Mustangs needed 2022 to get their footing back at the senior level.
“We did a good job of coming in third place.”
The squad is aiming much higher in 2023.
“This year we are hoping to get to the finals and compete for the championship. That would be our goal and obviously everybody’s goal is to try and win. We are definitely in the mix this year.”
The Mustangs have no 12Bs but there are 12-15 returning Grade 12s.
Key players include: quarterback Austin MacRae, who led the Niagara Spears junior varsity squad to a Tier 2 Ontario Summer Football League championship; running back Lukas Cuthbert, a 2022 all-star; all-star receiver Nathan Carter; and, 2022 team defensive MVP and all-star Jacob Shannon.
Shannon had been a three-year starter at defensive end and guard for the Mustangs.
“He is a great kid and he shows a lot of leadership skills. He is very coachable and he works hard at every practice. Whatever we ask him to do, he is willing to do it,” Carter said.
He’s also one heckuva player.
“He stays within his boundaries and plays a team game knowing his role. He knows his assignments and he is able to execute.”
The 16-year-old Niagara Falls resident can’t wait for the season to start.
“I am really excited because we have a great group of guys and we are all committed,” Shannon said. “I couldn’t be happier with the effort that we have put forth so far.”
The 6-foot-3 240-pounder feels this year’s squad is a lot different compared to last season.
“We have more experience, more talent and we are obviously more committed than last year.”
Last year was a crucial building block for the Mustangs.
“It was a really important year for us. We ended up doing pretty well for what we had and we ended on a win which you don’t normally get to do,” Shannon said. “The fact that we ended that way gave the guys confidence to get back out here this year and try even harder.”
He is comfortable being a leader on the team.
“I come every day and encourage the guys to do the best that they can. I have been a captain for three years now and I love the sport, the guys and what we are doing here.”
Shannon has already received some interest from McMaster and Queen’s and would love to play football at the post secondary level. Nothing is set in stone and he would like to attract even more interest.
“This year I really want to prove myself and hopefully get a shot at the OUA (Ontario University Athletics).”
He knows there is still work to do to achieve that goal.
“I want to be an all-star and MVP candidate and a leader on and off the field. Skill-wise I just have to show up every day, keep doing reps and don’t take any time off.”
