Redcoats wrap up perfect regular season
The Governor Simcoe Redcoats are on the hunt again for gold.
The Redcoats took the first step toward an OFSAA championship, wrapping up the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record thanks to a 13-2 victory over the Greater Fort Erie Gryphons Thursday in Niagara Region High School Athletic Association varsity boys field lacrosse action at Sir Winston Churchill.
Colton Armitage led the Redcoats with five goals and is eager to avenge last season’s loss in the gold medal game at the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations championship.
“We came short last year unfortunately, a tough loss, so it’s time to get redemption and win it and get a gold,” Armitage said. “We’ve been working hard every day and want that gold.”
Armitage, an 18-year-old, Grade 12 student, feels the Redcoats have the horses to get the job done.
“I think it’s just the chemistry we have from last year and the skill we have,” he said. “We have more depth this which is better. I’d take depth over skill every day.”
Simcoe head coach Jamie Brophy is well aware of the tough road back to OFSAA, which will be held the first weekend of June in Peterborough.
“We have aspirations of getting there but there’s a lot of good teams around here so it’s tough,” he said. “Winning a silver last year, based on the kids we have back — we have a solid team with a lot of depth — the hope is to get back and it’s just working one game at a time.
“We lost a couple of key pieces from last year but we’ve got some new kids in as well as some younger guys are taking on leadership roles, which is great.”
If the Redcoats are to prevail at OFSAA, Armitage will likely be a key component.
“He’s just so solid on the offensive end,” Brophy said. “He’s the go-to guy but he’s also willing to work the ball around and make sure everyone’s engaged. He does a little bit of everything from the leadership aspect to if we need a goal, he’s the guy we’re looking at.”
Armitage also plays box for the St. Catharines WMKL Junior B Athletics.
“I’m a goal scorer and I look to set up my teammates as well. I just want the ball in the back of the net so we can win games,” he said. “You have to move the ball, cut to the middle and want to take it to the net and score.
“I think shooting on a bigger (field) net would be easier but knowing where to be and the type of shots to take obviously helps.”
Ari Steenhuis added three while singles came off the sticks of Nodin Buck, Sutter Pilon, Jacob Rawson, Sullivan Russell and Max D’Alosio.
Hunter Hidalgo and A.J. Ledingham repled for GFESS.
Dear reader. If you liked this story or one of the 5,000 other stories found on our website, please consider hitting the Support Us button on the right-hand side of our home page and making a PayPal contribution to our website. Your support would be much appreciated. If you are a business owner, please consider advertising on our site. Our rates are reasonable and we provide plenty of exposure for your business. Contact bpotrecz@outlook.com for more information.
