“Jr Riders have Manson in mind”

By CRFadmin | Published August 27, 2010

Tim Baines of the Ottawa Sun offered up the following preview of the Jr Riders 2010 season.

The Junior Riders have a brand spanking new coaching staff, with Max Palladino replacing the departed Luigi Constanzo (now the special teams co-ordinator for the Gee-Gees).

But even with so many changes on the sidelines, the Junior Riders expect big things this QJFL season.

“We’ve drawn up our schedule, practices and games … and the schedule goes right up to Oct. 30, the date of the Manson Cup,” said Palladino. “That’s the last day on our schedule and that’s where we’ll be.”

High expectations, for sure. But there’s no question it’s a realistic goal with the talented roster opening its season Saturday, at 1 p.m., at Minto Field against the South Shore Monarx. It’ll be a special day not only for the Riders, but for Joe Pistilli, whose involvement in football recently saw him inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. Pistilli will be honoured during a pre-game presentation.

The other local team, the Cumberland Panthers, open their season on Saturday, with a 7 p.m. home game at Millennium Field against the Chateauguay Raiders.

On defence, the Junior Riders have a fearsome front seven, including linebackers Tyson Morris, Jordan Bradley and AJ Palladino and linemen Ian Jennings, Rashid Timbilla and Ali Mansour. Safety Matt Kassner is also a huge force.

On offence, linemen Bassam Taha and Jason Hoddinott lead the way. QB Leith Fisken is backed up by rising star Dallon Kuprowski. Behind them is a potent running attack with Peter Mineault and Stevie Anderson lugging the ball.

Then there are receivers Randy Roseway and Mitchell Spence.

“We’re very excited,” said Max Palladino. “We’ve registered 46 kids. We’ve got a few more kids heading back to school here and they’ll be back in September.

“Our strength seems to be the offence, it’s going to be very explosive. If (the running backs) catch a hole, they’ll be gone. It’s a big difference moving back to three-down football (after coaching four-down football in the OVFL). You’ve got to pick up seven or eight yards on the first carry.

“Our defence will be very strong, too.

“We cut down to two practices a week and we’ve had up to 98% attendance the last two weeks.”

A couple of things that caught my eye…

I’m sure the Cumberland Panthers love being referred to as the other club.  I’m sure no disrespect is intended but if I were a member of that organization, I’d make sure to remember that all season.

I love that the Jr Riders are said to have a fearsome front seven, but only six of them are named.  Someone must be feeling left out. ;)

Most importantly, if one is to believe the QJFL website (always a shaky proposition) the game is actually in lovely Ste. Julie, Quebec.  If you plan on attending, you might want to call and check first.

Won’t be a problem for me as I leave town early tomorrow and will not return until late next Saturday.  No ‘net for me, so I’ll be scrambling to catch up upon my return.  It’ll be like scrambling down the stairs as a kid to open all my Christmas presents.  Enjoy!

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Taking a knee, Aug 23rd

By CRFadmin | Published August 23, 2010

When using a slightly different layout for the main site, I used to have an opening segment unimaginatively called “opening kick-off”.  Going forward, “Taking a knee” will simply refer to being done with the weekend’s action and commenting on the parts that the local media has not touched upon.

I have not come across any coverage of the NCAFA Midget games.  I attended both the Nepean Redskins overtime win over Bel Air and the Ottawa Colts victory over the South Ottawa Mustangs Stampeders.

Scheduling issues aside (the start of the second game was delayed by the overtime in the previous contest, causing it to run to about 11:30PM), opening a season with a game as good as the ‘skins/Norsemen game was (27-20 Redskins) is how you wish it could happen.  Admission is free at this level and I felt like I was stealing.  You got the sense that some of these guys missed hitting one another because there were some wicked shots delivered.

Because of where I live in town, I consider the Stampeders to be my “home” team.  Nonetheless, I was very happy for, and impressed with, the Colts victory.  The Colts had won one game over the past two seasons combined and while in all likelihood this was a largely different roster from last year’s, I hope a few players from the winless 2009 edition were present to enjoy upsetting the defending champs.

Well done to whomever orchestrated the turnaround.  When the Mustangs fielded a Midget team in 2008 after a “year off”, their first victory was against the Colts and they went on to win a championship.  It’ll be interesting to see if history repeats itself somewhat.

As to the Stampeders, winning the last two crowns has apparently been good to them.  They have a sharp new look of red and black jerseys with silver helmets.  I only managed to snap a few crap shots before my batteries died, unfortunately.

The following night…The Panthers vs Essex in the OVFL championship game.  Oh dear.

There is coverage of this one but because it’s so (necessarily) lengthy and because I don’t plan to dwell on it much, I did not copy it into the blog.  You could pretty stop reading after the part of the opening line about about mistake, miscues and missed oportunities though.

The Panthers blew it. Yes, having a TD called back on an invisible offsides call hurt, obviously, but two interceptions and two fumbles hurt more.  The defence managed to keep them into it until the offense got going.  Then when it did…

…The Panthers had forced the Ravens into a fourth and 10 situation deep in Cumberland territory when they were called for roughing the passer.

The call seemed to breathe new life into the Ravens sails and they promptly and efficiently moved the ball 42 yards on eight plays, culminating in a 15-yard fade pass from Kennedy to Whitfield.

Regardless, a great game with a very lively crowd for both teams, despite the mid-November weather.  And none of this should take away from the display put forward by RB Ashton Dickson.  Officially (OVFL website), his two scoring runs in regulation are credited as being of 60 and 30 yards.

I’ll be leaving town on Saturday for about a week but if you’re feeling like watching some local ball, NCAFA owns the west end and the QJFL gets underway in the east as the defending champion Chateauguay Raiders drop by to play the Cumberland Panthers at Millenium at 7PM.

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Guests at the Rider QB Clubs

By CRFadmin | Published August 23, 2010

Gord Bunke, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Ottawa Rough Riders from 1982-87, was kind enough to provide me with the list of expected guests at the coming Rough Rider quarterblack clubs at the Ex.  I believe Mr Bunke will be the MC at both events.

Tues. 7pm Aug. 24
Coliseum Building, Lansdowne Park

Mark Kosmos / Dan Dever / James “Duke” Ellingson & Dave “The Voice” Schrieber (Media Guest)

Thur. 3pm Aug. 26
Coliseum Building, Lansdowne Park

Joe Poirier / Val St. Germain / Al Uhryniw (Media Guest)

There will be an attempt to have Jeff Hunt appear at the Thursday event, however this can not be confirmed as of yet.  Should Mr Hunt not be able to attend, another former player (to be determined) will be invited.

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Sooners 24, Fratmen 20

By CRFadmin | Published August 22, 2010

Yannick Rickli threw a pair of touchdown passes — one to Pierre Luc Tremblay and the other to Eric Latourneau — and Latourneau also returned a punt for a touchdown to lift the Ottawa Sooners to a 24-20 road victory over the Windsor AKO Fratmen in Canadian Junior Football League action.

Andrea Federico added a 47-yard field goal and the Sooners improved to 3-0 on the season.

Ottawa rallied from a deficit in the fourth quarter for the third consecutive week on a catch-and-run play from Rickli to Latourneau.

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Sooners+knock+Windsor/3428850/story.html#ixzz0xKxUY2O6

It’s Letourneau…and I remain impressed with the impact that the Cegep de l’Outaouais has had on this receiving unit, particularly with Pierre-Luc Tremblay’s performance in that he was that team’s starting quarterback.

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“Another shot for Cumberland Panthers”

By CRFadmin | Published August 21, 2010

Damn, am I ever looking forward to this.  Credit to Tim Baines of the Ottawa Sun for the preview below.

The Cumberland Panthers have a tough-as-nails front seven defenders.

The Essex Ravens have a superb running game.

The Panthers have a high-octane passing game.

The Ravens have solid defensive backs.

Call it a sawoff.

So when the two teams meet in Saturday’s OVFL varsity championship game at Minto Field (7 p.m.), it’s tough to know just what to expect.

But know that there’ll be plenty of motivation on both sides.

The Panthers want to erase the bad memories of losing the OVFL junior varsity championship game two years ago, with many of this team’s players still bothered by the result. But it won’t be easy.

“We’re expecting a close game. It’ll come down to whoever executes their game plan and doesn’t turn the ball over,” said Panthers coach Tony Skinner. “These are two teams who are able to chameleon to suit playing against different styles.

“Their quarterback (Austin Kennedy) is a dual threat. We’re going to have to keep him in the pocket and make him beat us with his arm.”

Kennedy not only threw 12 TD passes this season, he rushed for 544 yards, second on the Ravens.

The Panthers also have a talented offensive corps.

QB Alex Skinner has a deep group of receivers to throw to, while running back Ashton Dickson is a factor out of the backfield.

Skinner said the Panthers have got their eyes on the prize.

“It’s been a successful season, but the cherry on the sundae is the championship. Now that we’re there, it just wouldn’t be the same if we left (the game) without it.”

Gaining an early edge, like the Panthers did last week against the Etobicoke Eagles at Rogers Centre, would be a bonus.

“Traditionally, over the course of the season, we started slow,” said Skinner. “Getting out to an early start might charge the boys up the way it did last week.”

For those who can not attend, the OVFL website promises a live log.

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Ottawa Citizen Gee-Gees camp (p)review

By CRFadmin | Published August 21, 2010

Don Campbell works the Gee-Gees training camp.  I removed the parts about Sinopoli attending Hamilton’s earlier this year as that was posted at the time.  Link included below.

…About the only thing new for the Gee-Gees as they enter their 110th season is head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin, and he is hardly unfamiliar.

A player from 2003 through 2007, as well as team captain for part of that time, Asselin joined the coaching staff immediately upon graduation. He takes over for the departed Denis Piché with virtually the same staff of assistants, including Sean Hall, who is assistant head coach and defensive co-ordinator.

On offence, the Gee-Gees will start three five-year veterans on the offensive line, including Patrick D’Amico and Philippe David, to go with three five-year receivers in Cyril Adjeitey, Matt Bolduc and Steve Hughes. As they line up, only fullback Craig Bearss needs to be replaced.

On defence, fifth-year lineman Sébastien Tétreault is joined by Queen’s transfer Kevin Magee along a line that is five deep. The linebacking corps is headed by James McNaughton and Tyler Sawyer while Chayce Elliott and Lee Shaver will take charge in the secondary.

Freshmen who might get significant field time include offensive linemen Fred Casselman and Mathieu Chartrand, both from Northern Ontario, Philadelphia high school quarterback Alex Lundstrom, and Ottawa products Ettore Latanzio, a defensive end, and Nick Lecour, a linebacker.

“Everybody knows how it works around here … we’re going to make sure people are accountable,” said Asselin, who has named Sinopoli one of the team’s captains. “I feel privileged to be here and I want to pass that on to the coaches and players.”

Asselin is confident the Gee-Gees learned from last year’s transitional season.

“We had 14 freshmen play. I think we are a better team than we were last year.”

He has high hopes for Sinopoli. “He opened a lot of eyes last year. Not just here, but around the CIS and elsewhere — even the next level (CFL). He just does his thing. He doesn’t put any pressure on himself. He just does it.

“I think he has learned from being in Hamilton and he was excited by being there.”

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/sports/Gees+came+back/3425555/story.html#ixzz0xFHeAn6w

Edit: I’ve also come across a (French) video clip from Radio Canada, courtesy of the team’s Twitter page.

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“Rider QB Club makes comeback”

By CRFadmin | Published August 21, 2010

I find it hard to believe that Earl McRae is serious about this, because it has totally come out of nowhere.

Fifteen Grey Cup rings.

Fifteen Grey Cup rings among them, mostly with Ottawa, and if you were a die-hard fan of the Rough Riders, and still are of the CFL, the place for you to be this Sunday is at the Super Ex — 1 p.m., the Coliseum building.

And Tuesday at 7 p.m.

And Thursday at 3 p.m.

The revival of the Rough Riders Quarterback Club 14 years after the club folded.

Your chance to throw out what name YOU think the new team should be called after learning that the mean, nasty Saskatchewan Roughriders club has said it will exercise its veto right over the name Rough Riders.

Your chance to talk about anything you want, your chance to meet and talk to and get autographs and take photos with some of the former greats when professional sports in the capital was one team, the Ottawa Rough Riders, and football was king, and the members of the royal family had names like Jackson, Stewart, Tucker, Scott, Simpson, Thelen, Racine, Kosmos, Gabriel, Oldham — on and on.

Over the three Quarterback Clubs events at the Ex you will meet players who were every bit to football in this country what Yzerman, Lafleur, Hull, Mahovlich, were to hockey.

YOUR Ottawa Rough Riders.

YOUR memories of chilly, sunlit, fall days at Lansdowne Park and cold, grey, days beneath the bruised clouds and with the poplars along the canal bending in the melancholy autumn wind.

Different ex-players will be represented each of the three days, but running the show for all of them will be the man whose lifelong passion for the Riders is unsurpassable — Gord Bunke, director of marketing and communications for the club from 1982 to 1987, and involved thereafter operating its quarterback clubs.

Bunke: “There’ll be a great 18-minute video playing continuously of the Rough Riders down through the ages, as well as photo blow-ups displayed of the players who’ll be there.”

On the panel Sunday (tomorrow) will be: Dave Thelen, fullback, Rough Rider from 1958 to 1964, Grey Cup ring with Ottawa, Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Ted Smale, receiver, tight end, Rough Rider from 1956 to 1962, Grey Cup ring with Ottawa.

Jeff Avery, receiver, Rough Rider from 1976 to 1982, Grey Cup ring with Ottawa.

And, uh, Yours Truly,…

The article goes on about the opportunity to discuss the team’s new name.

Did I totally miss the boat?  This is the first I hear of this thing.  I checked the Ex schedule and sure enough, there it is.

I am terrified that no one will show up simply because they aren’t aware of it.  I have seen absolutely no promotion for this event (so thanks, Earl).

Also, there is probably some marketing school of thought which goes against this, but unless it is not mentioned…why not sell merchandise?  You own the Rough Riders name and logo, apparently?  You seem to know that Saskatchewan has graciously allowed you to use it part-time?  Can this not be part of that time?

The CFL had an event recently by which you could purchase jerseys of the great teams of the 70′s.  One of the profiled teams was the Riders.  I asked them (the CFL, on Twitter) whether Riders jerseys could be made available and was gtold “not this round”.  Well, it sure as hell won’t be if you have a “great teams of the 80′s” round either!

Anyway, I find it hard to believe that those in attendance will provide many name options other than Rough Riders.  If you’re going to see the greats from the 50′s to 70′s, probably you’re not interested in suggesting alternative name choices.

There was some speculation that “veto-gate” may have been handled the way it was in order to judge fan reaction to a new name, or part-time use of the Riders.  If so, this would be a good opportunity to speak up.

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Wettges Conf. Final scoring summary

By CRFadmin | Published August 17, 2010

Orleans Online states that the opening  kickoff of the OVFL Championship game between Cumberland and the Essex Ravens this Saturday will be at 7PM.  While we wait for confirmation of that (though it makes complete sense), here is the scoring recap that they posted.

…After jumping out to a 17-0 first quarter lead, the Panthers added 10 more points in the second quarter and 17 in the third to win easily 41-21.

Cumberland’s defensive secondary was especially impressive in picking the ball off five times. Kadeem Vaillancourt had a pair of interceptions while Dustin Wilson, Ron Omara and Cory Bellerdine had one each.

On offense, Ashton Dickson ran for three touchdowns and Alex Skinner threw a pair of touchdown passes to Andrew Mullings and Matt Russell. Ryan Begin kicked all five converts and added a pair of field goals including a 47-yarder.

Is Ron Omara is doing double duty with the Sooners then?  Busy young man.  I had seen his name on both rosters but believed chose to play for the Sooners since I’d actually seen him on the field for them.

That would mean that after the Sooners victory over Brampton on Saturday, he made his way to Toronto to compete in this game as well the following day.

If many players do this, I admit that it has, to this point, escaped my notice.  As a fan, I can’t help but be impressed. ;-)

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Sept 11th: Junior Football day in Ottawa!

By CRFadmin | Published August 15, 2010

Every season, there’s one weekend in which you’d swear the scheduling has been deliberately set up to feature wall-to-wal in the regionl football.  In light of Football Week in Toronto, I’ve wondered if something similar could be promoted locally.

This year, what I thought was a conflict was either an error on my part, the OFC, the Sooners, or a scheduling change.  Where I had the Sooners’ September 11th home game against Burlington listed as a 7:00PM start, I noticed on my ticket yesterday that it is actually a 3:00PM game.

At 7:00PM the same day at Millenium Field the Cumberland Panthers will host the Jr Riders, meaning that all three junior clubs will be in action, and all three will be accessible.

I love nothing more than to see co-operation between the different levels and/or organizations in order to promote the sport.  As an example, I thought that combining Sooners and Gee-Gees seasons tickets in one package a couple of years ago was a clever way to mutually benefit both clubs (mind you, since it was done only one year, perhaps it wasn’t all that beneficial after all…).  The Sooners that year also featured a game between St. Peter and St. Joseph at the high school level.  Great idea!

I knock the QJFL from time to time for seemingly not caring about (or being incapable of) promoting themselves.   Since I’d like to ultimately see the Quebec league under the CJFL umbrella, I’d also love to see the OFC and QJFL work together to make something of an event of this.

I know I’m dreaming and being naive.  It just seems like such a no-brainer…

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Invaders 03, Maddogs 10

By CRFadmin | Published August 15, 2010

Bruce Garrioch covers the Invaders playoff defeat from last night.

The Ottawa Invaders’ inaugural run in the Northern Football Conference playoffs lasted just one game.

After a three-week break since their last regular-season game, the Invaders weren’t able to get their offence going and dropped a 10-3 decision to the Toronto Maddogs Saturday night at Toronto’s Birchmount Stadium.

Instead of preparing for next week, the Invaders will have to start looking to next year. They weren’t able to get their offence going and had a TD called back in the third quarter that would have tied the score.

Linebacker Emmanuel Tchamna picked up a fumble and ran in for a score, but the touchdown was disallowed because of an illegal block.

Quarterbacks Sean Carmody and Jonah Paritzky had a tough time getting the offence rolling. Only kicker Bobby Begin was able to put any points on the board for the Invaders.

“They (Carmody and Paritzky) both played and they both struggled finding guys open,” said Invaders coach Ken Evraire.

Evraire said it wasn’t the loss that bothered him, it was the way the club went down to defeat.

“It’s disappointing because we made far too many mistakes for a playoff game,” said Evraire. “Some guys have to look at themselves in the mirror and decide, ‘Did I do enough to prepare for this game?’ Most of the guys did, but some of the guys have to decide if they really want to play semi-pro football and if they have the time and dedication to play at this level. Unfortunately, the illegal block was one of those blocks that you don’t need and it was pretty obvious.”

If anyone appears disappointed, it’s because the bar was set high.  That last comment no doubt comes from an often-stated desire to not use the semi-pro label as a crutch.  I am a little closer to the Invaders due to my work on the team’s site and I can honestly say that they make every attempt to focus on the “pro” portion of that label.  I don’t expect to be bored during the “off-season”. ;-)

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