Key members of the ‘09 Braves (from left) QB Zack Stacey, linebacker James Lowes, running back Evan Thompson and defensive end Jake Myers.
Kevin Nagel, Post Sports Editor
Published on Aug 20, 2009
OFC champs and Canadian finalists in 2008, the Burlington Braves’ first goal of 2009 is simple: REPEAT
The defending Ontario Football Conference champion Burlington Braves had the No. 2 defence in the country last year.
According to Braves’ head coach Craig Davoren, it’s even better this year.
The Braves, who lost the 2008 national championship game 35-8 to the Vancouver Island Raiders at Nelson Stadium, open the 2009 OFC season on the road in Windsor this Sunday against the AKO Fratmen.
It’s a six-team league with Ottawa Sooners back in the fold, so there are no bye weeks and, says Davoren, no soft weeks either.
“Hamilton talks like they’ve improved, so that’s good,” said Davoren of the Braves’ arch-rivals, who returned to the OFC last year. “Ottawa’s new but that’s a strong area and they’ll be good.”
He added that the London Beefeaters, who beat the Braves 12-6 in last weekend’s Harding Cup pre-season game, are vastly improved from last season, and “St. Leonard is a power house and so is Windsor, so it should be a competitive league.”
The most noticeable difference from last year will be behind the snap as former Nelson Lords quarterback Zack Stacey takes over for Wayne Andrejak, who is over age.
“Wayne is a drop back, sit-in-the-pocket QB who throws 60 yards downfield,” said Davoren. “Zack gives us a whole bunch of different angles for the offence with his running and scrambling ability.”
Stacey spent the past two years attending the University of Guelph, and enjoyed his status as a Gryphons receiver.
“But school didn’t go as well as I’d have liked,” said Stacey, 21, “so I’m working, doing my landscape construction company. While I’m around I might as well play some football and see how things go.”
Despite the Braves losing the entire starting receiving corp from last year, Stacey is optimistic the offence will move the ball.
“We’ve got a lot of good receivers and (running) backs in camp,” he said. “My job is to move the ball around and get everyone some touches.”
One of the talents is tailback Evan Thompson, who starred with the varsity Stampeders last year and Assumption Crusaders the year before, OFC and Halton champions, respectively.
“He’s been really impressive,” said Davoren. “It’s been something we were looking for all of the off-season.”
M. M. Robinson High School grad James Lowes earned a starting position with the Braves during his first season last year. Now he has progressed to the point that he is a defensive captain.
“He’s a missile out there... one of the heart-and-soul guys on the team,” said Davoren.
Lowes, who has played the linebacker position with the rep Stampeders and the high school Rams as long as he can remember, agrees with his coach that the defence, and the team, might be even better this season.
“A lot of players want to play for this team now,” he said. “We have some big holes to fill but we have a lot of good recruits.”
Second-year Brave Jake Myers is a six-foot-three defensive end who is so talented, Davoren figures he’d excel as a linebacker, too. Opponents certainly respect him.
“You put him on one side, the (offence) goes the other way. They just don’t go to his side,” said Davoren.
* * *
Braves’ 2009 schedule
presented in the following order: Date; Opponent; Time
Sunday, Aug. 23; at Windsor; 4 p. m.
Saturday, Aug. 29; OTTAWA; 7 p. m.
Friday, Sept. 4; at Hamilton; 7 p. m.
Saturday, Sept. 12; at St. Leonard; 7 p. m.
Saturday, Sept. 19; HAMILTON*; 7 p. m.
Friday, Sept. 25; at London; 7:30 p. m.
Saturday, Oct. 3; WINDSOR*; 7 p. m.
Saturday, Oct. 10; ST. LEONARD; 2 p. m.
Saturday, Oct. 17; OFC semis (4 at 1, 3 at 2) TBA
Saturday, Oct. 24; OFC final TBA
Saturday, Oct. 31; Intergold Cup — OFC at PFC
Saturday, Nov. 14; Canadian Bowl at BCFC champ
*Telecast live on Cogeco-TV Ch. 23 |
