Thorold, Eden post Tier 2 football wins
Andrew Scott does it all for the Governor Simcoe Redcoats varsity football team.
The Grade 11 student is the team’s quarterback and safety, and also runs back kicks and punts on special teams.
“He does it all,” said Simcoe head coach Jamie Brophy, following a 23-6 road loss Thursday to the Thorold Golden Eagles in Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Tier 2 football play. “He’s talented, he takes on a leadership role and right away after this game he was talking about being ready for practice tomorrow so that everybody is out ready to go.”
Brophy admits he’s a little anxious about watching Scott take a lot of contact on special teams and defence.
“You never want to put a quarterback in a spot where he is hit all the time, but he feels he is more effective as a quarterback when he is playing on the opposite side of the ball also,” he said. “He is in the game for the whole time rather than just being in it for half.”
The 15-year-old loves playing both sides of the ball.
“I feel on offence I am just stuck to one thing, throwing and running, but on defence, I feel I can contribute more to the team.
“I like the hitting and I like having more time on the field.”
The 5-foot-11, 160-pounder does gets tired on occasion.
“A couple of times I have run out of gas, but usually I push through it if I need to.”
Scott is in his third year of football at Simcoe and he’s much more comfortable and confident on the field.
“It was a leap my first year going from playing house league when I was younger. Going into Grade 9 was a big step,” he said. “The older guys got me settled down, I got a lot of experience playing with the guys and now it’s a lot better.”
Brophy knows his offence needs to be a lot better than it was Thursday. It accumulated only 69 net yards.
“They played a good defence against us and we turned the ball over a few times which cost us, especially in the first half,” he said. “Thorold executed well and we had a couple untimely injuries and penalties, but those things happen.”
The Golden Eagles improved to 2-0 with Thursday’s win.
“We are making some steps,” Thorold head coach Duane Kemp said. “The O (offence) looked a little more crisp running the plays, but four fumbles and a couple of interceptions means we have to limit the turnovers.
“It felt like we should have put up a few more points today, but it’s a work in progress.”
Thorold’s attack was led by Grade 10 running back Julian Race. He rushed for 183 yards to earn his second straight Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Player of the Game Award.
“He’s elusive, he’s shifty and he’s hard to pick up from behind the line and a lot of that is credit to our O line and the slotbacks who contributed a little bit of misdirection,” Kemp said. “It is everyone working together and making guys look good.”
Race’s play impressed Brophy.
“He is a very good running back and thanks for letting me know he is in Grade 10 because that means he’s going to be around for a couple more years,” he said. “He’s a really good running back and they used misdirection well to free up time and space for him.”
Kemp was more than pleased with the play of his defence.
“Everyone is doing their jobs, they are buying into the system and we are flowing well to the ball right now,” he said. “We still have to get a little better with our tackling and stuff like that, but it is coming.”
FLYERS 21 SAINTS 12
The Eden Flyers even their NRHSAA Tier 2 football record at 1-1 with a 21-12 victory over the St. Catharines Collegiate Saints (0-2).
“We didn’t play the game we wanted today, but it was good enough to win,” Eden coach Jordan Smith said. “Collegiate hung tough for most of the game.
“Their quarterback is a very talented football player and we had to adjust to that skill level.”
Smith feels his team is far from a finished product.
“We have plenty to improve upon before our first home game next week.”
Contributing to the Eden win were: Evan Langendoen, 70-yard kick return for a major and 20-yard TD catch from Blake Maude; 20-yard TD pass from Maude to John Tolentino; Charlie Edgar, two interceptions and three converts; Will Bonner, two sacks; Stuart Huebert and Ben Meier, sacks; and, Cameron Kelcey, fumble recovery.
Replying for the Saints were: Tycree Llewellyn, 12 carries for 86 yards and two TDs; QB John Emmorey, 7-13 passing for 168 yards and five rushes for 23 yards; Cam Scott, three receptions for 87 yards; Sheldon Brown, two catches for 47 yards; Jason Zimmerman, six tackles and two interceptions; and, Trevor Saunders and Clinton Singh with strong games on defence.
“We need to tighten up special teams,” Collegiate head coach Nathan Greene said. “We were unable to kick extra points and gave up a kick return for a TD.
“That was the difference between winning and losing today.”
Greene continues to see his younger players develop.
“A handful of players got their first football reps today,” he said. “I have no doubt that their learning curve is going to take off over the next few weeks.
“I am looking forward to seeing these football players develop.”
STATS PACK
Golden Eagles 23 Redcoats 6
Johnny Rocco’s/Mick and Angelo’s Player of the Game: Thorold’s Julian Race with 183 yards rushing.
For the Thorold Golden Eagles: Tyler Broderick, 50-yard TD pass from Yvan Canlas; Andrew Dailey, 11-yard TD run; Brodie Gibson, four-yard TD run; Victor Garcia, 22-yard field goal; Bryce Kaal, fumble recovery; Jacob Turner, interception;
For the Governor Simcoe Redcoats: blocked convert and 50-yard fumble return for TD by Nicholas Langelaan; Andrew Scott, fumble recovery and interception; Eric Wilson, fumble recovery; Remy Gavanac, sack.
Game stats: First downs: Thorold 20, Simcoe 6. Net offence: Thorold 372, Simcoe 69. Turnovers: Thorold 4, Simcoe 5. Penalties: Thorold 5 for 25 yards, Simcoe 3 for 10 yards.
