SCHEDULE
Angus Anderson-Shortt
Jake Bakalar
Jake Bernard
Henry Boese
Alex Boretski
Cooper Brown
Bradley Cowan
Gavin Friend
Daniel Garzon
Dalton Hancock
Craig Klassen
Daniel Lambert
Brandon MacIntosh
Asher Maier
Kevin McClelland
Gordon McClure
Dustin McCoy
Shaun O'Melia
Scott Paines
Joey Preston
Kale Rive
Dylan Saumier
Shane Smith
Ethan Steip
Michael Steip
Adam Straker
Jonathan Straker
Iain Thompson
Brian Trostenko
Tanner Vandelaar
Eli Vanscoy
Dave Wieler
Isaak Wieler
Ben Woelke
Zach Yakubiw
The NDSS Trojans' offence steps up to the line in Thursday's controlled scrimmage against the Thorold Eagles. |
The Niagara District Trojans got their first taste of football action in over in 10 years on Thursday when they hosted the Thorold Secondary School Eagles in a controlled scrimmage.
Although it wasn’t their first official game, school supporter and coach Paolo Miele said it was a step in the right direction.
“It was an amazing feeling to have that football field being utilized again after a decade and to see the kids have a good time. All the players are dedicated and committed to the game.”
Among the 200 spectators that showed up were MPP Kim Craitor, Lord Mayor Gary Burroughs, town councillors and school staff.
Each team had four series of 10 offensive plays in the scrimmage.
Thorold scored four times in the exhibition match, but the play of the day came on an 80-yard touchdown pass from Jake Bakalar to receiver Dave Weiler for the Trojans’ only score against Thorold’s first defensive team.
The defensive unit was lead by outside linebacker Mike Preston and middle linebacker Adam Straker, each accumulating five tackles and providing loads of pressure in Thorold’s backfield.
Unfortunately Straker will now be sidelined for a month after separating his shoulder in practice last week.
Coach Nathan Greene said it was a productive day for his team despite being outplayed.
“The boys were nervous and we had some obvious blemishes, but we had a lot of bright spots. Once we eliminate the glaring mistakes and focus more on football’s fundamentals I think we will be a lot better.”
This week, the Trojans were focusing on the basics in order to hopefully eliminate those mistakes for their next scrimmage.
Miscues such as fumbling snaps and hand-offs were a few things the team had to work on.
Miele said considering the majority of the team has never played organized football before, the team will only get better.
“The guys want to learn and want to feel that satisfaction of learning. They need to gain more football experience and I think this (scrimmage) will only drive them even more.”
The team will play at St. Catharines Collegiate today in another controlled scrimmage.
If the Trojans show they can compete at a Varsity 2 level, their next game will be the first official league game in 10 years.
Their next home game is scheduled for Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. when they will play host to Port Colborne.
The student council is planning a pep rally to involve the community in the Trojan’s first offical game of their first season.