Now the Varsity Gladiators can look forward
Randy Pascal | SUDBURYSPORTS.COM | JULY 11, 2011
Heading into the game, Sudbury Varsity Gladiators' head coach Brent Richer reminded his troops, constantly, not to look past the Nipissing Wild.
But with their team holding a 33-0 lead at the half, it's a pretty safe bet the players' thoughts turned quickly to a winner-take-all battle for first place in the OFC (Ontario Football Conference) North Division in one week's time.
First to the game at hand. Sensing a huge mismatch on the line of scrimmage and taking note of a numbers crunch in North Bay that would see linemen playing both offensively and defensively, the Gladiators coaching staff would choose to run the ball - again, and again, and again.
When the dust settled Saturday at the James Jerome Sports Complex (as much as dust can settle on a turf field), Sudbury had thumped the visiting Wild 46-0, racking up some 300 yards in rushing in a contest that saw QB Dan Poirier limited to just seven pass attempts, all in the first half.
"I have nothing but respect for the North Bay program and what Matt Gordon and his staff are trying to put in place," said Richer late Sunday evening. With that in mind, Sudbury took full advantage of the opportunity to insert their entire roster into the contest, with seven different players earning rushing yards and four reaching the end zone.
"Given so many of our game have been so close, this seemed like a nice chance to reward some of those kids who work their tail off at practice, week in and week out," Richer said.
With Josh Cuomo sidelined, again, with a bothersome hamstring injury and Ian McDonald resting after a pair of first half scores, the likes of Carl Johnston (6 carries - 18 yards) and Sean Kelly (7 carries - 30 yards) enjoyed their moment in the sun.
Defensively, linebacker Jordan McKenzie enjoyed his best outing of the season, leading the defense in tackles and picking up an interception along the way. Good timing too, as the Notre-Dame graduate plans on heading to Waterloo University in the fall, with the Warriors staff on hand, Saturday, taking in the local encounter.
"The defense was just swarming out there - and they were tackling really well," Richer said. Running back Scott Smith matched the two touchdown performance of McDonald, with Jessy Bertin-Haggart and Kelly recording the remaining majors.
Kicker Travis Perrin converted five of the six Sudbury touchdowns, adding a field goal along the way. "We seem to be peaking at just the right time, for a change," Richer said.
Thankfully for the Gladiators, that prognosis matches up with a first place showdown with the Clarington Knights next Saturday at James Jerome. The Knights, who boast an identical 4-3 record to that of the local team, knocked off Sudbury 24-16, at home, in a week one match in Clarington.
To suggest the Sudbury crew are anxious for the rematch is a huge understatement, with Richer and company believing that just about everything that could go wrong, did, in the early season contest between the two squads.
After beating Forest City (37-0) and North Bay (28-9) on back to back weekends, Clarington took it on the chin last Saturday, thumped 38-0 by the Tri-Cities Predators.
All of which sets up a battle that no one from either Sudbury or Clarington is likely to look past.
Gladiators run Wild on Nipissing
BEE LEESON | SUDBURY STAR | JULY 11, 2011
A few weeks ago, Sudbury Gladiators head coach Brent Richer was talking about making changes to both players and plays in the wake of a 52-17 loss to the Huronia Stallions.
But following Saturday's 46-0 whitewashing of the Nipissing Wild at James Jerome Sports Complex, it seems all Richer needs to tweak is the pre-game speech.
He had been telling his players they needed two more wins to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. After their dismantling of first-year Nipissing, however, the Gladiators need only one.
"You know, it was just a great team effort," said Richer, whose team improved to 4-3 in Ontario Football Conference varsity action this season. "The defence came up with the shutout. We told them, you know, you have to be tough at home. On offence, the O-line, especially, played a fantastic game. We had four different running backs with touchdowns today."
Those were Scott Smith and Ian McDonald, with two apiece, and Jessy Bertin-Haggart and Sean Kelly, with one major each.
Travis Perrin was 5-for-6 on convert attempts.
Sudbury posted 300 yards on the ground and another 75 in the air.
Nipissing, meanwhile, was held to 117 yards rushing and 39 receiving.
It wasn't until Nipissing last drive of the second quarter, in fact, that they managed to gain a first down against the Sudbury defenders.
"(The defence) did a fantastic job against, you know, a short-benched team," Richer said. "North Bay came out, we saw what they had, but you know, we did a great job."
Linebacker Jordan McKenzie led all Sudbury tacklers with five, along with three assists, while Owynn Lahnalampi had three tackles and one assist.
Mckenzie, Lahnalampi and Dwytt Campbell recorded sacks.
"It was awesome," said Gladiators linebacker Ian Thomson, who made one tackle and had an assist. "The defence allowed zero points, which is outstanding for a defence, the offence put up 40-some points. You couldn't ask for more out of a football team."
One of the Wild's best chances to get on the scoreboard came near the end of the second half, when quarterback Chris Bedard floated a pass to Nick Shank near the goal line, only for Gladiators McKenzie to come down with the ball.
"It was great," McKenzie said of team's effort. "The defence stepped up a lot and we got a shutout, which was what we were looking for."
Nipissing fell to 1-5 and was eliminated from playoff contention with Saturday's loss.
"You know, the guys played hard and with a lot of heart," Wild head coach Matt Gordon said. "They did a great job. As a first-year organization, you're going to hit a few bumps and this was one of them.
"Props to Sudbury. That's a tough squad. They had a couple of rough games this season and I think they have a better team than their record would indicate."
Most of Gordon's players are eligible to return next year and he hopes they will learn from this season's tough lessons.
"I hope the players will start to learn what level of preparation is needed in this league," Gordon said. "Look at a team like Sudbury. They know what it takes to win. I think some of our guys are used to their athletic talents getting them to the next level in high school, but that's no going to cut it in this league. Only a few guys have been able to grasp that so far."
Sudbury's final game of the regular season, at home this coming Saturday against the Clarington Knights, will determine whether the locals get home field throughout the playoffs, except the OFC championship, which is set for Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton.
If they lose, the Gladiators can do no better than third place.
"It's the biggest game of the year so far," Richer said. "The guys know it, they see it, they sense it. They know we need to have a solid week of practice. One week gets us home field, winners of the North, and that's what we've been going for since the beginning of the season."
Clarington owns a 24-16 win over Sudbury, back on May 28.
"All the guys are pumped about it," Thomson said. "Clarington beat us in Week 1, you know, an away game, but the calls were questionable. We have all been edging to get back and play Clarington again. I think it's going to be one hell of a game."
Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
JUNIORS LOSE
Also Saturday, the junior Gladiators dropped a 34-21 decision to the Oakville Titans, falling to 3-4 on the season.
Matthew Glass, Connor Mick and Cameron McDonald scored touchdowns for Sudbury, while Scott Friesen made all three of his extra point attempts.
The juniors also face Clarington in the last game of the season, this coming Saturday at James Jerome. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
Victory 'a must' for Gladiators
BEE LEESON | SUDBURY STAR | JULY 9, 2011
The Sudbury Gladiators will line up against a familiar opponent this afternoon.
But, according to Sudbury head coach Brent Richer, they may as well be playing the Nipissing Wild for the first time when the North Bay-based outfit visits James Jerome Sports Complex for Ontario Football Conference varsity action at 4 p.m.
When the two teams met on June 11, driving rain turned the field at West Ferris Secondary School into a muddy mess, limiting offensive options for both sides.
Sudbury eked out an 8-0 victory, on a field goal, two safeties and a rouge.
"It's almost like we're playing them for the first time again," Richer said. "That mud really limited what they could do, and it was the same with us.
"We left them with hope, and like I told the guys, you never want to leave another team with hope."
What the Gladiators hope for is two more wins, in today's tilt and in next week's contest against the Clarington Knights. That will get them a 5-3 record and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, except for the OFC title game, which will be played at Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton.
"Like I said to the players, you know, this is the first time we really have our destiny in our hands," Richer said. "The last two years, we had good seasons, but we had to wait on the math. But this year, if we win both games, it doesn't matter who else wins out, we don't care. We just have to win two games.
"The other side of it is if we lose even one of those games, we can't finish higher than third."
Nipissing, a first-year entrant in the OFC, brings a 1-4 record into today's action. A Sudbury win today eliminates the Wild from playoff contention.
"They have been catching their stride and they beat Toronto two weeks ago," Richer said. "They have a good, quick running back who likes to go out along the edge and run toward the sidelines. We'll have to keep him contained.
"They have had some struggles at quarterback. They have used four of them so far."
Sudbury wide receiver Liam Thorpe, who scored a touchdown and totalled a game-high 115 yards last week, knows the Nipissing defenders will keep an eye on him.
"Coach said they have six weeks of our film to watch, so they'll see we have scored quite a few of our touchdowns on deep passes," said Thorpe, who has 272 yards and four majors this season. "So they'll be watching for those. We'll have to make sure we keeps things clean and run our routes sharp."
Thorpe said the importance of a win today isn't lost on the players.
"It's a must," he said.
"We have to win the next two to be at home all playoffs. We haven't had all that much luck on the road."
Away from James Jerome for four of its first five games this season, Sudbury went 2-3 over that span had lost two in a row before returning home to beat the Toronto Jr. Argos 39-15 last weekend.
"We really stuck together," Thorpe said. "In some other games, we kind of fell apart. But we had the best first quarter we probably had all season, went out on our first drive and scored a TD, and kept it going from there."
Rookie defensive back Emerson Carniel recorded his fifth interception in six games against the Jr. Argos.
"It feels great, after being on the road a long time, to come back home ad get a nice solid win.
"We feel pretty pumped. We know a win knocks out North Bay and gets us closer to home-field advantage."
Also today, the Junior Gladiators are in action against the Oakville Titans.
Game time is 1 p.m.
Louis Chartrand helps hammer the Jr Argos
By RANDY PASCEL | SUDBURYSPORTS.COM | July 5, 2011
Coming off a tough 52-17 loss one week earlier, the Sudbury Gladiators were looking to rebound at home on Saturday. They sure weren't about to let the fact that the visiting Toronto Jr Argos showed up with less than 25 players provide room for any unecessary sympathy.
The homeside opened up a 25-15 lead at the half and poured it on in the final thirty minutes, as fatigue set in, bouncing the Jr Argos 39-15. "We knew they had a short bench, so we had to tire them, keep pounding the ball" said Louis Chartrand, former lineman turned receiver.
"Then when they're tired, just throw it over the top, which we did." Chartrand not only scored a pair of touchdowns, including a pretty tip and catch to extend the Sudbury lead to 17-7 early in the second half, but also literally ran over a Toronto defender on a pass and run play, earning the coveted "hammer" award in the process.
It looks like the big man is enjoying the move to a "skill" position. "The adjustment is mostly cardio," he said. "Just a little two yard "pop" is a big difference from a 10 yard pattern - but I've gotten in better shape and I like it quite a bit."
What's not to like when you exhibit a deft touch, hauling in Dan Poirier passes from 2 and 11 yards out. "I always figured I had soft hands for a big guy, so a touchdown like that just proves it," Chartrand said.
The remaining Sudbury touchdowns came courtesy of Liam Thorpe (49 yard reception), Ian McDonald (one yard run) and Poirier (40 yard run), with place kicker Travis Perrin coverting all five majors, connecting on a 39 yard field goal and adding a single.
After holding opponents to 24 points or less in their first four outings, the Gladiators defense were in tough last week in Barrie, anxious to make amends on the familiar home turf at James Jerome Sports Complex.
"We had to make sure that we maintained our "gap integrity", that everyone simply does their own individual job," said middle linebacker Ian Thomson. ""It's all about sticking to your own job and trusting the guys around you."
A defensive captain who will return as a key component of the Lo-Ellen Park Knights come the fall season in September, Thomson is thankful both for the general benefits of playing summer ball, as well as for the unique make-up of this particular team.
"Going into the fall, you have all of the cardio from the summer that you've played," Thomson said. "I like that everybody here is a comedian and that everyone likes to play with the same intensity."
The Gladiators will need to display much of the same when they look to improve their 3-3 record this Saturday at home, facing the Nipissing Wild at 4:00 p.m. at James Jerome. Sudbury blanked the North Bay crew 8-0 in early June, playing in an absolute mud bowl on the road.
The Gladiators will then close out the regular season with the final game of a three-week homestand, battling the Clarington Knights in preparation for post-season play.
Gladiators answer the toll
By BEN LEESON | THE SUDBURY STAR | July 3, 2011
Sudbury Gladiators defensive back Eric Donaldson wasn't satisfied entering a 'W' next to his team's name.
No, he thought he'd add an exclamation point as well.
With 5.17 left in Saturday's 39-15 win over the Toronto Jr. Argos, Donaldson hammered Toronto receiver Mike McCann, just as the lanky receiver went airborne to catch a pass, knocking the ball free.
Only two days after Sudbury head coach Brent Richer challenged his defence to "answer the toll" for a 52-17 loss to the Huronia Stallions, Donaldson and his teammates did so in spades.
A crucial goal-line stand with 10 minutes left in the contest and Donaldson's big hit were among the highlights as the Gladiators snapped a two-game winless streak at James Jerome Sports Complex.
"Yeah, we had a great interception, a few turnovers on downs, we put their quarterback on ground," Richer said. "And the tackling was much better today. I thought they bounced back well."
With Saturday's win, the Gladiators improved to 3-3 in Ontario Football Conference varsity action.
"We still have things to work on, like defending deep passes," Donaldson added. "But overall, I think it was a great effort."
Sudbury's offence was clicking, too. And, for the first time this season, it was clicking early.
On the home team's first possession, Dan Poirier wired a pass to Liam Thorpe for the Gladiators' only first-quarter touchdown in four six starts.
Louis Chartrand scored two touchdowns for Sudbury. Ian McDonald and Poirier also took the ball into the Toronto end zone, while Travis Perrin added a field goal and a single.
Sudbury built a 25-15 lead by halftime and, after a scoreless third frame, added a pair of majors in the fourth.
The Jr. Argos were game, but with only 23 players making the trip to James Jerome, Toronto was at a disadvantage on a hot, humid Saturday afternoon.
"Yeah, it was hard," said Jr. Argos assistant coach Paul Forbes, who helped run the bench in the absence of head coach Frank Trentadue. "You get put in a position where you're asking guys to do things they don't practise. They battled great, but it's tough when you only have 23 guys and not all of those guys play a lot.
"And Sudbury is a very good team, very well-coached."
Players were missing "for a variety of reasons," Forbes said.
Poirier led all rushers with 91 yards on seven carries. As a passer, he had 15 completions on 26 attempts for 200 yards.
His one interception was his first of the season.
Josh Cuomo posted 69 yards on 13 carries, while Scott Smith and McDonald ran for 46 and 44 yards, respectively.
Thorpe made four catches for a game-high 115 yards. Chartrand also caught four passes, for 49 yards.
"We're all excited," Chartrand said. "That's what we needed, a good morale-booster."
Jr. Argos quarterback Max Townsend was 10-for-28, for 159 yards, with two interceptions and one touchdown.
Toronto's standouts on offence includes Rowan Comish, who caught four passes for 82 yards.
The Gladiators are at home again this coming Saturday, when the Nipissing Wild come to town for a 4 p.m. start.
Sudbury beat Nipissing 8-0 on June 11.
"Every week is a battle and every team is getting better and better," Richer said. "North Bay won last week and we can't can't take them for granted. They're getting better and better. Last time played them, it was a mud bowl, so we look forward to spreading our wings a little bit."
Juniors beat Twin City Panthers
Also Saturday, the Junior Gladiators beat the Twin City Predators 44-1.
Christian Batistelli scored a pair of touchdowns, while Josiah Walt, Kevin Lavoie and Connor Mick scored one each.
Aaron Campbell kicked a field goal and was 5-for-6 on convert attempts.
The juniors host the Oakville Titans this coming Saturday in a 1 p.m. start.
Gladiators lose game, quarterback against Stallions
By BEN LEESON | THE SUDBURY STAR | June 27, 2011
Things went from bad to worse for the Sudbury Gladiators on Saturday night.
Already trailing the Huronia Stallions in the second half of an Ontario Football Conference varsity tilt in Barrie, the Gladiators watched starting quarterback Daniel Poirier leave the game with an upper-body injury.
Poirier didn't return and the Gladiators, already plagued by several injuries at running back, fell 52-17.
"That hurts, especially when you have limited depth in the backfield," Sudbury head coach Brent Richer said. "You can have as big a line as you want, but if there's no one to run the ball and no one to throw it, there's not much you can do."
With victory all but out of reach, Richer put his bench on the field in the third quarter.
Sudbury lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, falling to 2-3.
With Saturday's loss, the Gladiators wrapped up an extended road swing that included three straight games away from the home turf of James Jerome Sports Complex, and four of five on the road to start the season.
"You know what, with a young team, when you're rebuilding, you're going to have these struggles, especially with four of five games on the road," Richer said.
"The OFC president, Rob Schumacher, was there, and he said, 'You know, you guys won two of four quarters (the second and third), but just fell apart in the other two. I told him that it's very hard for a Northern Ontario team to play so many games on the road. And he said,' Yeah, but it's still a football game.'
"Luckily, we do have the luxury of being at home the next three weeks."
Sudbury's homestand begins this coming Saturday, when they welcome the Toronto Jr. Argos for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
Richer is hopeful that Poirier, as well as standout running back Josh Cuomo, will be ready for action.
"It's going to be nice to wake up and not have to catch a bus, to not have to travel," Richer said.
"I know these coaches and these kids and I know they're not happy, but also I know they'll be at practice on Wednesday, saying 'How can we fix this?' It will be taken care of.'
"They're upset with themselves. These players are probably hardest on themselves. But as coaches, we remind them that that's football, that you can lose 52-17 and come back and win 41-0 the next week."
Against Huronia, Alex Carriere scored both touchdowns, both on passes from Poirier, while Travis Perrin kicked a field goal.
Gladiators fine-tune for Huronia
By Ben Leeson | The Sudbury Star | June 25, 2011
But after seeing the Sudbury Gladiators offence sputter the last two games, head coach Brent Richer did some tinkering ahead of tonight's visit to the Huronia Stallions.
Perhaps the most significant change the Gladiators made was at receiver. Wideout Justin Duff will move to the inside and Alex Carriere to the outside for tonight's 6:30 p.m. start at Barrie Sports Complex.
"One problem we were having was that Daniel (Poirier, Gladiators quarterback) was having trouble seeing over the O-line," Richer said. "Alex is only 5-foot-6 and Justin is 6-3, so this should give him a better sight line.
"We also added a few new plays at receiver. We can't just be a one-dimensional running team."
Sudbury lost two of its last three games, both on the road, to fall to 2-2 this Ontario Football Conference varsity season. But Richer remains pleased with his team's overall performance.
"It has been a positive week," Richer said. "When you have four of your first five games on the road to start the season and you have a young team, it's easy to feel like your back is against the wall. You're in someone else's town, on their field, no one is cheering for you -- pros, let alone 17- year-olds, could get the hair on their backs up a bit."
And they did, according to Poirier.
"Every team has its own issues and we're a team and we still love each other, but it gets kind of annoying for everyone to see the same guys, the same faces, on the bus every day," Poirier said. "It gets pretty tense on the bus. Sometimes, those personal tensions boil over a bit. But we need to keep those things to ourselves and keep our team game together."
Poirier looks forward to ending their current string of road games and returning to James Jerome Sports Complex next week for the first of three straight home games to end the season.
"It's very, very important to us," the quarterback said. "We haven't seen our fans and we haven't seen the turf in a while. It will be nice to be at home, in our beds, with our parents. It's a great atmo-sphere here."
The second-year pivot is one of the players Richer will look to for a strong start tonight.
"He needs to be great," the Sudbury coach said. "Don't get me wrong, he has no interceptions in four weeks, which is good, but he knows he needs to make some read adjustments in the secondary and complete his passes. We can't just look to move the ball on the ground all the time.
"Our D-line needs to have a good push, too. This week, it will probably rain, so if it does, we'll needs our lines on both sides to have solid games."
JUNIORS VISIT PANTHERS
Also today, the Junior Gladiators are on the road to face the Hamilton-Wentworth Panthers in a 3 p.m. start.
Sudbury's junior team also takes a 2-2 record into this weekend's action.
Gladiators close out road schedule in Barrie
by Randy Pascal | SudburySports.Com | June 24, 2011
Struggling offensively the past two weeks, the Sudbury Varsity Gladiators will look to the scene of success for similar results the second time around. In week two of the OFC (Ontario Football Conference) season, Sudbury clubbed the Huronia Stallions 41-22 at the James Jerome Sports Complex.
For at least a couple of reasons, Gladiators coach Brent Richer is cautious not to read too much into that as the teams meet again on Saturday, this time in Barrie. "They beat Clarington last week (24-16) and lost a tough one to Twin Cities before that (24-21)," he noted.
"They've started to hit their stride." That's something at least part of the Sudbury backfield will not be able to do as running back Josh Cuomo misses a third straight game nursing a hamstring injury while Ian MacDonald will need one more week to rest a strained meniscus.
In their stead, Scott Smith earns his first start of the year. "He's the least injured of the six running backs," Richer said with a smile at practice Thursday evening. "Actually, he's looked good tonight, very quick feet."
In fact, offensively, the Gladiators are doing plenty of things right - just not translating them into points. "For the most part, we're a pretty solid O-Line," said centre Dustin Duffy.
"We're having a tough time getting complete drives together. We get good plays, we get started OK, but we don't quite get there." Very familiar with the abilities of both Smith and Cuomo, with all three teammates part of the Lasalle city championship squad from last fall, Duffy admits that the move to three down summer football forced a switch in the game plan.
"With my high school team, we had Josh Cuomo and two other really good running backs," he said. "All we had to do was run, we didn't have to pass. In this league, with second and long, you have to pass."
Sporting a record of 2-2 at the midway point of the 2011 campaign, coach Richer tries to keep things in perspective for his troops who have incurred a huge turnover in the starting lineup this year.
"We're young, but we're really good for a young team, when you consider that we've lost our two games by a combined total of just eleven points," Richer said. "Sometimes, I have to remind them not to be too hard on themselves."
Allowing just fourteen points against over the past two weeks, the defense has adjusted quickly to a change in personnel. "Our run defense is something we focus on a lot," said defensive back Kennedy Voz.
"The style that we play is made to allow our linebackers to penetrate and if they force the throw, the defensive backs have to make plays." Interestingly enough, while both players and coaches took something away from the first test against Huronia, their thoughts focus on different aspects of the game.
"We have to be aware of trick plays," said Voz. "Their offense is symmetrical, they run the same plays on both sides of the ball, on the short side or the wide side." He believes that conditioning might well prove the difference for the visitors, given the additional cardio demands of three down football.
"It was a physical game when we played here," coach Richer explained. "We have to repeat that, not give them open space, because they have some playmakers."
The trek to Barrie represents the final road game for the Gladiators, who close out the regular season with games in Sudbury against the Toronto Jr Argos (July 2nd), the Nipissing Wild (July 9th) and the Clarington Knights (July 16th).
Slow start sinks Gladiators
By Ben Leeson | The Sudbury Star | June 19, 2011
They lost on a touchdown with only seconds to play.
But it was partly a slow start that sunk the Sudbury Gladiators in a 14-11 loss to the Forest City Thunderbirds in Ontario Football Conference varsity action in London on Saturday.
For the fourth straight game, Sudbury failed to score a touchdown in the first quarter. The Gladiators pulled even in the second frame and pulled ahead in the third, but the Thunderbirds scored on a 35-yard passing play with only 15 seconds left in the fourth quarter to pick up their first win of the season.
Sudbury fell to 2-2, while Forest City improved to 1-3.
"On offence, we're going to have to make some serious adjustments," Sudbury head coach Brent Richer said. "That's two games in a row where we can't get going. I'm fine if it's a mud bowl, but today we had sun, good grass, no wind, and we were sporadic at best. We need to re-examine our players and our plays and try to move forward with our program."
Forest City used a touchdown and a rouge single to build an 8-0 lead in the opening quarter. But Sudbury struck back in the second with a 49-yard pass from Dan Poirier to Jessey Bertin-Haggart, which led to a one-yard touchdown plunge by Ian McDonald.
Alex Carriere gave Sudbury a rouge of its own to knot the score at 8-8.
Travis Perrin missed on a 47-yard field goal attempt at the end of the third, but kicked the ball through the Forest City end zone for another single point and a 9-8 lead.
The Gladiators forced their hosts to concede a safety for another two points midway through the fourth, but the hosts staged one last drive that culminated in the game-winning major.
"This is exceptionally tough to take," Richer said. "We were very sporadic, inconsistent. Our receivers dropped four passes on second-and-short situations, which stalled drives, and on defence, we lost containment numerous times.
"Our defence did make a couple of third-down stops, but it was not a complete effort, that's for sure."
Forest City is not a divisional rival, but Richer believes Saturday's loss may still come back to hurt his club.
"Any loss hurts our chances," he said. "It puts the pressure back on us to win out. We have another game on the road next week and we don't want to come home 2-3."
Sudbury visits the Huronia Stallions this coming weekend. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
"I want (the players) the respond Wednesday at practice," Richer said.
"I want us to take the positives out of this game, because there were some positives, but we also need to address our issues."
Juniors win
Also Saturday, the Junior Gladiators improved to 2-2 with a 29-0 win over the Twin City Predators.
Sudbury's next game is a visit to the Hamilton-Wentworh Panthers. Start time is 3 p.m.
New starters step up for Gladiators
By BEN LEESON | THE SUDBURY STAR | June 18, 2011
Whatever anxieties Sudbury Gladiators head coach Brent Richer had about his linebacking corps, they're melting away, thanks to first-year starters Ian Thomson and Brett MacDonald.
Living proof that experience isn't everything, they have quickly become key members of the Sudbury squad's defensive unit.
Alongs ide veteran Owynn Lahnalampi, their contributions were crucial in securing last week's 8-0 road win in Ontario Football Conference varsity action against the upstart Nipissing Wild.
"Ian has really taken the reins at the middle linebacker p o s i t i o n ," Richer said at T h u r s d a y 's practice.
"He played for us last year, but didn't start. We were a little worried, after of losing Mitch Portelance, but Ian has done a great job.
"Over on the left side, Brett is a rookie, he came up from (junior varsity) and he has been unbelievable. I was looking at the video again last night, and I don't think I could find a series where No. 10 wasn't in the screen.
"Last week, he blocked a field goal, which was key, because that would have made it an 8-3 game."
The Gladiators (2-1) are in London, Ont., today for OFC action against the Forest City Thunderbirds (0-3). Start time at Westminster Secondary School is 3 p.m.
Heading into the contest, Thomson is tied with Lahnalampi for the team lead in tackles, with 10, and has two sacks to his credit.
"There was some pressure this year, because we felt we would be a smaller team," said the 17- year-old Thomson, a Lo-Ellen Park student. "But we understood that we had to work hard and put in a good effort and it has been paying off. Now, it feels like most of that pressure is gone."
Thomson will miss this week's road trip to attend graduation ceremonies at Lo-Ellen.
Sixteen-year-old MacDonald, who attends College Notre- Dame, has nine tackles and five assists, along with a sack and a pair of blocked kicks.
He said it took him some time to adjust to the varsity game.
"Last year, we played four down in junior, and in varsity, we play four-down football," MacDonald said. "And it's a faster game. But I think now I'm used to it."
Last week, poor weather and a muddy field frustrated the Sudbury offence, putting additional pressure on defenders.
"But we weren't yelling at each other, we just stayed positive and did our jobs," MacDonald said. "We played as a team."
Richer, whose team has yet to score a first-quarter touchdown in three games, hopes to get his offence going early today.
"We have not been quite as crisp as we want to be," Richer said. "That is something we have addressed in practice this week."
Still, the Sudbury coach is pleased with his team's start.
After dropping a 24-16 decision to the Clarington Knights in their season opener, the Gladiators have posted back to back wins, including a 41-22 victory over he Huronia Knights and the shutout of Nipissing.
"Absolutely, with 11 new starters on defence, to be 2-1 with two road games where a lot went wrong, we'll take it," Richer said.
"Don't tell these guys that, though," he added, motioning toward his players. "They're here to win."
Gladiators win ugly over Wild
By BEN LEESON, THE SUDBURY STAR / June 13, 2011
Sudbury Gladiators head coach Brent Richer knew that, one day, he'd need his offensive line and his running backs to win him a football game.
"And this was that day," Richer said Saturday afternoon, not long after his squad scored an 8-0 win over the expansion Nipissing Wild on a rain-soaked field at West Ferris Secondary School in North Bay.
"It was a good win, just ugly. But we always say a win is a win, especially on the road."
With rain coming down during the first half, little was clicking on offence for either side. So, opting for power over finesse, Sudbury pounded the ball to within field goal range, where Travis Perrin booted a 20-yarder in the final second of the frame.
Perrin also kicked a rouge single for the Gladiators, who also scored on a pair of two-point safeties to improve to 2-1 this Ontario Football Conference varsity season.
"The first half, you could hardly see in front of your face," Richer said. " Then, in the second, it let up, but by then, the field was trashed and the balls were done."
With star running back Josh Cuomo out nursing a hamstring injury, Scott Smith and Ian McDonald took most of the handoffs from quarterback Daniel Poirier.
McDonald, a rookie who joined the varsity squad just this week, was singled out for praise by Richer.
"He really took the weight for us and he was phenomenal," Richer said. "He put his shoulder down and he was never hit back. The front of his jersey was so dirty, you couldn't even see the number, but the back of his jersey was spotless."
Though the weather frustrated his offence, Richer gave the Wild credit for keeping things close.
"They're stubborn," the Sudbury coach said. "That's a good word to explain it. They kept us on our toes the whole day. They forced us to do things we didn't want to do.
"Sure, they're young and they're learning and it will take time for their organization to grow, but they're definitely headed in the right direction."
Nipissing head coach Matt Gordon expressed pride in his players for making a game of it against the Gladiators, OFC semifinalists last year.
"I can't say enough about our defence," Gordon said. "We've probably played the best two teams in our division over the last two weeks (including a 28-12 loss to Clarington last week) and to give up 36 points over two games, that's not bad for our defence.
"Offensively, considering the setbacks we've had personnel-wise, I think there were flashes and if we can get more of that and limit the mistakes, we'll be a lot better."
The Wild lost starting quarterback Mitch Frederick last week with a broken finger.
"We're still learning who our play-makers are going to be," Gordon said. "We don't have the benefit of any momentum from a previous season, with all these guys coming from different backgrounds in football at their schools. We're just starting to come together."
The Gladiators are in London, Ont., this Saturday to face the Forest City Thunderbirds.
Start time at Westminster Secondary School is 4 p.m.
Following another road game, June 25 against the Huronia Stallions, the Gladiators return to the James Jerome Sports Complex to host the Toronto Junior Argos.
Kickoff is at 4 p.m.
JUNIOR GLADIATORS
Also Saturday, the Junior Gladiators dropped a 24-12 decision to the Toronto Junior Argos, falling to 1-2 on the season.
Their next game is also on the road, this coming Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Twin City Predators.
The weather is the story as Gladiators blank Wild
by Randy Pascal / SudburySports.Com / June 12, 2011
It wasn't pretty, but is was enough to pick up the win as the Sudbury Varsity Gladiators blanked the Nipissing Wild 8-0 Saturday in North Bay.
And while the scoreboard may have indicated a second straight victory for coach Brent Richer's troops, it was clearly the weather that walked away with the upper hand as a nasty combination of cold and rain made it near impossible for either team to mount much in the way of offensive attack.
The end result was a battle which saw exactly half of the total scoring output accounted for via safety touches, as both Andrew Gillis and John Kosiw received credit for the two-point efforts.
Kicker Travis Perrin took care of the balance of the Sudbury scoring, hitting for a field goal and a single as the Gladiators grabbed a share of first place in the Northern Division of the OFC (Ontario Football Conference).
"We knew this was going to be ugly" acknowledged Richer Sunday evening, enjoying the benefits of 24 hours of defrosting upon returning to the Nickel City. "We controlled the clock, we controlled the defense, we controlled the play - but by the end of the game, the ball weighed the same as a bowling ball."
Still, the Gladiators did manage to rack up a total of 240 well-disbursed yards on the ground, including a valuable contribution by a welcome newcomer. With stalwart Josh Cuomo still nursing a tender hamstring, St Charles junior Ian MacDonald stepped in to lead the team in rushing yards, carrying for 81 yards on 17 carries.
These numbers are all the more impressive considering MacDonald only decided to join the summer football squad this past Wednesday, getting a pair of practices in prior to suiting up versus the Wild.
Defensively, Richer could not have asked for much more as the very young crew with eleven new starters this year limited North Bay to just eight first downs in total, sacking quarterback Jordan Sutcliffe seven times.
Brett MacDonald, Ian Thomson, Kosiw, Ben Autio and Eric Donaldson all finished with ten points or more defensively as the Wild mustered a mere 30 yards in net offense in the second half.
"As a group, they really played a great game," Richer said. Sudbury QB Dan Poirier completed 11 of 17 passing attempts for 74 yards, with Justin Duffy (5 receptions - 37 yards) and Louis Chartrand (3 - 30 yds) his favourite targets.
Scott Smith chipped in alongside running back MacDonald, registering 63 yards on 12 carries as Sudbury improved their record to 2-1. The Gladiators head off on the road again next weekend, facing the Forest City Thunderbirds (0-3) in London.
Defence drives Gladiators Wild in 8-0 loss to Sudbury
By KEN PAGAN / June 12, 2011 / THE NUGGET
A field goal with 0.1 seconds left in the first half might not seem like much, but it was all either team could muster offensively in soggy conditions and it made the difference for the Sudbury Gladiators.
Travis Perrin booted a 20-yard field goal through the uprights with 0.1 seconds left on the clock in the first half for the Gladiators (2-1), who also picked up a pair of two-point safeties and a single-point rouge for an 8-0 win over the Nipissing Wild (0-2) in OFC Varsity football action at the Trojan Alumni Complex, Saturday.
A steady downpour during the first half put a damper on much of the game, which featured its fair share of fumbles, bad snaps and missed catches and little in the way of big plays.
The Wild went down 2-0 early in the second quarter when punt returner Theo Commanda slipped on the grass and lost the ball in the Wild end zone for a two-point safety.
After Perrin's last-second field goal, the Gladiators picked up two more points early in the fourth quarter when the Wild conceded a safety in order to gain better field position for the kickoff.
Perrin missed a field goal for a rouge in the dying minutes, but the game still went right down to the final play, the Wild looking for a fortunate bounce that could turn into a big play right until the final whistle.
"This was one of those games where we had to dig down and understand that anything could happen in this game where the score would change," said Sudbury head coach Brent Richer, describing the Wild as a "stubborn" team. "All they needed was a fumble or to get a block on a punt and the next thing you know, we're losing.
"But even with all the weather, it was an exciting game to be in."
Richer said it was frustrating for his offence not to get anything going against the Wild, but the weather was certainly a factor.
"We do have a really good quarterback and some great receivers, but when that ball weighs as much as a bowling ball, it's tough to throw," he said, "We're going to take it for what it is. Nipissing never stopped on us, so my hat goes off to those guys."
While the Nipissing defence held the Gladiators in check, the offence struggled to get going, never getting inside the Sudbury 20-yard line.
Running back Chris Barfoot did punch through for a handful of first downs in the third quarter, but the Wild had a 25-yard field goal attempt blocked and another stymied by a penalty call.
"I can't say enough about our defence," said Wild head coach Matt Gordon. "We've probably played the best two teams in our division over the last two weeks (a 28-12 loss to Clarington last week) and to give up 36 points over two games, that's not bad for our defence.
"Offensively, considering the setbacks we've had personnel-wise, I think there were flashes and if we can get more of that and limit the mistakes, we'll be a lot better."
The Wild lost starting quarterback Mitch Frederick last week with a broken finger and the wet conditions didn't do any favours for replacement Jordan Sutcliffe, who had to pick a few snaps off the ground and had a couple of passes dropped by receivers.
"We're still learning who our playmakers are going to be," Gordon said. "We don't have the benefit of any momentum from a previous season, with all these guys coming from different backgrounds in football at their schools. We're just starting to come together.
"Our defence is really doing well. On offence, we'll figure out who can do what, what our strengths are and stick to that."
Richer credited the Wild for being competitive two games into their inaugural season, with a defence that swarms the ball.
"They could have easily beat a couple of teams from last year," Richer said of the Wild. "They'll get there. When we started three years ago, we lost our first two games, but you catch your swing and you get used to it and the kids start to see they can compete."
The Wild are in Toronto next week to face the Jr. Argos. They host a return date with Toronto June 25.
Gladiators defend home turf
by Randy Pascal / June 7, 2011 / SudburySports.Com
"It seemed that all of a sudden, it clicked." And just in the nick of time for coach Brent Richer and the Sudbury Gladiators.
Having lost their first game of the year and trailing 15-0 early in the second quarter of game two, the proverbial lightbulb switched on for the hometown Gladiators.
Forty-one unanswered points later and the Sudbury varsity crew were well on their way to a 41-22 win over the Huronia Stallions, working their way back to the .500 mark.
"We told the boys to stick with the game plan and things will be fine" said Richer, the day after the come-from-behind victory. That sense of calm was an absolute must after the visitors used a trick play to open the scoring on the very first play from scrimmage Saturday afternoon on the turf at the James Jerome Complex.
But working behind a very efficient, well balanced attack, the Gladiators fought back. Quarterback Dan Poirier, now in his second year of OFC football, posted a tidy passing line of 14/19 for 168 yards and a pair of touchdown strikes to Collège Notre-Dame teammate Liam Thorpe.
Poirier also carried for a pair of majors, with Scott Smith adding the other, although the bulk of the backfield logging of yards was done by Josh Cuomo. The high school league MVP rambled for 123 yards on 21 carries as Sudbury netted 371 yards of offense, versus 387 for Huronia.
"Our success will be determined by our ability to build off the run," Richer said. With neither team turning over the football, the play of the kickers and special teams also became critical in terms of establishing field position.
"We were able to shorten the field and the defense did their job," Richer said. "And our conditioning really paid off." By half-time, the Gladiators had moved ahead, only slightly at 16-15, widening the gap in quarter three with ten more points.
Travis Perrin chipped in with four converts and a field goal, while Joshua Tress scored a pair of touchdowns for Huronia, with Jesse Alvez adding the other.
Just two games in, coach Richer is not completely surprised that the Gladiators attack took a little time to get untracked. "The offense that we're using this year (the "pistol set"), is newer. We knew coming in that we were going to have a little difficulty, because nobody had used it" said Richer, admitting that it is based off the offense used with Laval University last fall.
While many key veterans have performed as expected, Richer and company have also benefitted from major impact provided by a few unexpected sources. "Liam Thorpe - you just can't peel the smile off his face right now. He's been a very, very good surprise."
"And middle linebacker Brett MacDonald - that's two games in a row that he's put up gems," said Richer. MacDonald tied for the defensive lead in total points with Patrick Boileau, both with fourteen, with Ian Thomson adding twelve.
Defensive points are calculated using a variety of scores provided for anything ranging from tackles to quarterback sacks, forced fumbles to knocked down passes.
Sudbury will look to build upon their momentum, heading to North Bay on Saturday to do battle with the Nipissing Wild. After having their first game postponed due to problems with the condition of the field, the Wild dropped their season opener to the Clarington Knights, 28-12.
Gladiators defend home turf
By BEN LEESON / June 6, 2011 / Sudbury Star
Liam Thorpe wasn't about to let the game slip through his fingers.
Never mind if he couldn't use all of them.
Despite suffering a badly sprained finger only three weeks ago, the Sudbury Gladiators receiver caught two touchdown passes, including a pivotal 47-yarder on a second-and- 13 situation, to help his team to a 41-22 comeback victory over the Huronia Stallions in Saturday's home opener at the James Jerome Sports Complex.
"I take some ibuprofen and normally, I'm supposed to wear a splint, but before I play, I take it off and get the trainer to tape my of my fingers together," said a beaming Thorpe, waving the injured hand in the air. "During the game, the adrenaline keeps you from feeling it. I'll feel it later."
But immediately after Saturday's win, all the Gladiators were feeling was elation, tinged with relief, after storming back from an early 15-0 deficit pull even late in the second quarter and pull away in the third.
Sudbury improved to 1-1 in Ontario Football Conference varsity action this season, while Huronia fell to 0-1.
"We know what we can do if we keep together," Thorpe said. "We were unlucky early in the game, they used a few trick plays we weren't expecting, but the coaches said a few things to help us smarten up.
"They said we were at home, in front of our family and we couldn't allow anyone to take this game away from us."
Sudbury's comeback drive started in the second quarter, when the Gladiators defence forced Huronia to take a knee in its own end zone and concede two points.
The home team's first touchdown was scored by quarterback Dan Poirier, on a one-yard sneak.
With only nine seconds left in the half, Poirier found Thorpe with a 25-yard touchdown pass to give the Gladiators their first lead, 16-15.
"The guys really had to dig deep," Sudbury head coach Brent Richer said. "In that second quarter, we told them to keep their eyes focused down the field, that our chances would come." And they kept coming.
In the third frame, Scott Smith scored on a 12-yard run, before Travis Perrin booted an 18-yard field goal.
In the fourth, Poirier's 47- yard hookup with Thorpe all but put the game away.
Another safety and an 18- yard scramble by Poirier rounded out the scoring.
"This was was important, for us to christen this field, our home turf, in front of our fans," Poirier said.
"The beginning was pretty bad,, but we had a little talk from our captains and the coaches and after that, the momentum really shifted."
One such momentum shift came in the second quarter, when the Stallions failed on a fake punt attempt. Sudbury seemed to seize control after that.
"It shows that you can't lose positive field position, especially in three-down football," said Martino Di Sabatino, Huronia's head coach. "There's no room for error."
Poirier was 14-for-19 on Saturday. The sophomore pivot totalled 159 yards passing and another 41 rushing, while passing for two touchdowns and running for two more.
In two regular season games, he has yet to throw an interception.
On the defensive side, Ian Thomson helped lead the way with two sacks.
The Gladiators are back on the road Saturday, when they visit OFC newcomers the Nipissing Wild.
Kickoff at West Ferris Secondary School in North Bay is set for 4 p.m.
Gladiators ready for battle
By BRUCE HEIDMAN / June 4, 2011 / Sudbury Star
The Sudbury Gladiators will be looking to get back on track in front of a hometown crowd tonight.
The Gladiators play their home opener at James Jerome Sports Complex at 4 p.m. today, preceded by the Junior Gladiators at 1 p.m.
Gladiators head coach Brent Richer wasn't pleased with his charges after dropping their season opener on the road against Clarington last weekend and has spent this week's practice sessions ensuring his charges are focused and ready for the hometown crowd.
"We need to be more disciplined," Richer said. "We took 95 yards in accepted penalties and we turned it over twice with two fumbles and missed two field goals. You start adding up the mistakes and that's why we lost by a touchdown.
"Greater focus was the key at practice this week."
Richer is excited for his team's first home game at it's new home field on the artificial turf at James Jerome.
"This is a new home opener for us with a new location on the new turf," he said. "We're back on the road for three weeks after this, so it's an important game for us."
Richer believes playing on the artificial turf will be a boost for his team.
"For sure it's an advantage," he said. "We know the speed and the angles on the turf and it was great of the city to let us use it for training camp and practice to be more prepared for home games. The game plays different on turf, it's much faster. Queen's (Athletic Field) was not regulation length either with 10-yard end zones as opposed to the 20 at James Jerome. That makes a big difference. The ball also bounces differently on the turf and that makes a big difference for special teams."
The Gladiators will be taking donations at the door instead of charging for tickets.
"We take donations at the gate and that's it," Richer said. "We absolutely need the money, but we rely on the generosity of our fans."
The Jr. Gladiators already surpassed its record from last season when the team won its season opener last weekend and will look to improve to 2-0 today at 1 p.m. at James Jerome.
Gladiators come up short in season opener
By Ben Leeson / May 29, 2011 / Sudbury Star
Being a football coach often means keeping one eye on the field, the other on the clock.
Sometimes, those seconds can't tick away fast enough.
Others, you'd give anything for just a few more.
Sudbury Gladiators head coach Brent Richer wouldn't have minded having a fifth quarter to work with Saturday afternoon, when his hard-charging squad came up short in a season-opening 24-16 road loss to the Clarington Knights.
Following third-down stop by the Sudbury defence, Gladiators quarterback Dan Poirier led a march from his team's 55-yard line to within striking distance of the Clarington end zone, but a pass with 2.5 seconds left on the clock fell incomplete and the visitors fell to 0-1 to start the Ontario Football Conference varsity season.
Clarington, meanwhile, had a winning OFC debut after moving up from the Ontario Minor Football League in the off-season.
Sudbury had battled back from a series of mid-game mishaps, including several turnovers and a full 95 yards in accepted penalties, before making their final, ill-fated drive.
"To lose by one score, with the ball on their 35, with no time left, that gives you an idea of what kind of character this team has," Richer said. "But too many things went wrong for us.
"We said, over and over, that the team with the fewest turnovers and penalties would win this game. And that wasn't us."
It was a fumble, in fact, that led to the Knights' first touchdown, a one-yard plunge in the first quarter, however the hosts missed on an extra-point attempt.
The Gladiators followed that with a field goal, cutting the lead to 6-3.
A strong stand by the Sudbury defence allowed the Gladiators to get the ball back and return to field-goal range, but their next kick missed, forcing them to settle for a rouge and a 6-4 deficit at halftime.
They committed another untimely turnover in the third quarter, when a touchdown pass was dropped in the end zone. A follow-up field goal attempt also missed.
"So there, we basically conceded 12 points," Richer said.
Josh Cuomo, on run from 15 yards out, got the Gladiators their first major, making it 10-6 for the Nickel City squad, but the point-after attempt went wide.
Clarington kicked a filed goal to narrow the Sudbury lead, before taking advantage of another fumble to score a touchdown in the third frame, and again in the fourth, making the score 24-10.
But following a timely interception by Sudbury's Owynn Lahnalampi, Poirier led another drive that culminated in his 16-yard touchdown pass to Liam Thorpe.
Another missed point-after was the result of a bad snap.
With only 1:08 to play, Sudbury made another third-down stop to get the ball for one last touchdown push, but ran out of time.
Sudbury teams failed to sweep the opening weekend of the summer football season, despite wins by the junior varsity Gladiators and the senior Spartans.
"You don't like losing, but it was a bit harder on the guys when they heard the Spartans had won, too," Richer said. "They were really upset. They wanted the paper to read 'Sudbury sweeps on road.' "
Still, varsity players could take some consolation from knowing they had produced well, on both offence and defence, in Saturday's defeat.
Sudbury totalled 375 offensive yards and 22 first downs. Cuomo led rushers with 137 yards on 15 carries and one touchdown.
As a team, the Gladiators posted 217 yards on the ground, on 28 carries.
Poirier was 19-for-33 for 160 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
"It was a great day, production- wise," Richer said. "The problem was finishing. We left 12 points on the field. We get those, and we win 28-24."
Sudbury's next outing is its home opener, this coming Saturday against the Huronia Stallions.
Kickoff at James Jerome Sports Complex is set for 4 p.m.
JUNIORS MARK MILESTONE
On Saturday, the junior Gladiators did what they were unable to do all last season -- win.
Despite giving up the first touchdown against Clarington, Sudbury came back to score a 41-14 victory.
Local junior varsity players also have their home opener this coming Saturday, when Huronia visits James Jerome field for a 1 p.m. start.
Gladiators gear up
By Ben Leeson / May 28, 2011 / Sudbury Star
Sudbury Gladiators head coach Brent Richer can sense his payers' eagerness.
He sees it in their eyes, in the jump in their step, knowing that they're only hours away from the start of the Ontario Football Conference varsity season.
Sudbury kicks off its schedule with a visit to the Clarington Knights, today at 5:30 p.m.
"Yeah, it has been an exciting week," Richer said. "You can tell the guys understand what it means to be prepared, that they're getting focused for the weekend."
Access to the new artificial turf at James Jerome Sports Complex meant the Gladiators could open training camp nearly two weeks earlier than in the past.
That was almost too early, Richer said.
"They're tired of hitting each other," Richer said. "They want to get somebody else out there.
"It's like having a new car, putting it on the highway and having to do 60. After a while, you want to open it up a bit."
Keeping players interested can be a challenge.
"Absolutely," Richer said. "We're in our eighth week now. After eight weeks, if this was a high school team, they'd be in playoffs by now. So, after an entire season of just practice, we have to make sure things are still working and the guys are focused, that things don't get too tedious."
Today, Richer expects to meet a motivated Clarington team, one looking to prove it belongs in the OFC after winning an Ontario Minor Football League title last year
"They went 10-0 and then moved up to a higher league," Richer said. "They'll be in their house and they'll want to show they won't be pushed around.
"They'll be feisty. We have been telling the guys not to expect them to pay us any respect, because we haven't earned it yet. They'll be yapping after the play and everything, so we need to keep level-headed and not get in a hole on the road to start the season."
Sudbury has its home opener June 4, when the Huronia Stallions visit the James Jerome turf for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
Varsity Gladiators feature a different look
By Randy Pascal / May 25, 2011 / SudburySports.Com
A methodical, clock-eating offense and a young, speedy defense will have the be the keys for the 2011 edition of the Sudbury Gladiators varsity team as head coach Brent Richer and staff try to mold a system to their personnel.
The Gladiators experienced plenty of turnover, including skilled offensive weapons Joey Martellacci, Mark Randa and Josh Haslam, making for a different look to the team this year.
For starters, the OFC team has never benefitted from an offensive line that features the combined size of Erick Lessard, Taylor Fish, Dustin Duffy, Carter Long and Chris Cooper.
That group should be able to free up some room for returning running backs Josh Cuomo and Jessy Bertin-Haggart, as well as providing some pass protection for incumbent QB Dan Poirier.
While the Notre-Dame senior will miss the big play abilities of Haslam and Randa, he can always turn to CND teammates Alex Carrier and Matt Boileau among a receiving corps that provides a nice mix of varying talent sets.
With a greater emphasis on the run this year, expect the Gladiators to showcase at least one tight end, often times two, as former offensive lineman Louis Chartrand makes a move to the far end of the line.
"We lost speed and skill, but we didn't lose overall talent," coach Richer said as he prepares for the season opener against the Clarington Knights Saturday on the road.
"Our biggest turnover was on defense - we have just one returning starter." That returnee, defensive mainstay Owynn Lahnalampi, makes a switch this summer from nose guard to outside linebacker, the same position he tackled with the University of Toronto Blues last fall.
Ian Thomson of Lo-Ellen comes off a strong high school campaign to help anchor the defense as middle linebacker while the CND tandem of Brett MacDonald and Jordan McKenzie should both see plenty of playing time on the remaining outside position.
Up front, defensive ends Will Harding and Dwight Campbell will be counted on heavily, while the inside beef of Ben Autio, Cody Lemieux, John Kosiw and Mathieu Gagnon looks to help win the battles in the pits.
Although the defensive secondary possesses a great deal of speed, their ability to provide solid passs coverage will impact heavily on the Gladiators' fortunes this year.
Mainstays Kennedy Voz, Patrick Boileau and Erik Donaldson will need to make a quick transition from their four down high school season to the three down game of the OFC that frequently spotlights the passing game.
One area where added depth does exist, interestingly enough, is in the kicking game as Richer will have access to left-footed Travis Perrin and right-footed Alex Carrier, both of whom have sailed balls through the uprights, with regularity, from 50 yards out.
"On paper, absolutely this is going to be a learning year," Richer said. "But we're not approaching it that way." Coming off back to back playoff appearances, the talkative head coach is looking to earn home field advantage in the post-season, finishing either first or second in the OFC North.
The Gladiators play an eight game regular season schedule, with the top four teams in both the North and South moving on to the playoffs. Sudbury will face Clarington, the Nipissing Wild (North Bay) and Huronia Stallions (Barrie) in home and home competition, travelling to London to battle the Forest City Thunderbirds while welcoming the Toronto Jr Argos to start a three game season-ending homestand.
The Gladiators home opener is set for Saturday, June 4th, when Huronia makes the trek north for a Junior/Varsity double-header at the James Jerome Sports Complex.
Varsity Gladiators prepping for season opener
By Randy Pascal / May 25, 2011 / Northern Life
A methodical, clock-eating offence and a young, speedy defence will be the keys for the 2011 edition of the Sudbury Gladiators varsity team as head coach Brent Richer and staff try to mold a system to their personnel.
The Gladiators experienced plenty of turnover, including skilled offensive weapons Joey Martellacci, Mark Randa and Josh Haslam, making for a different look to the team this year.
For starters, the OFC team has never benefited from an offensive line that features the combined size of Erick Lessard, Taylor Fish, Dustin Duffy, Carter Long and Chris Cooper. That group should be able to free up some room for returning running backs Josh Cuomo and Jessy Bertin-Haggart, as well as providing some pass protection for incumbent QB Dan Poirier.
While the Notre-Dame senior will miss the big play abilities of Haslam and Randa, he can always turn to CND teammates Alex Carrier and Matt Boileau among a receiving corps that provides a nice mix of varying talent sets.
With a greater emphasis on the run this year, expect the Gladiators to showcase at least one tight end, often times two, as former offensive lineman Louis Chartrand makes a move to the far end of the line.
"We lost speed and skill, but we didn't lose overall talent," coach Richer said as he prepares for the season opener against the Clarington Knights Saturday on the road. "Our biggest turnover was on defence — we have just one returning starter."
That returnee, defensive mainstay Owynn Lahnalampi, makes a switch this summer from nose guard to outside linebacker, the same position he tackled with the University of Toronto Blues last fall.
Ian Thomson of Lo-Ellen comes off a strong high school campaign to help anchor the defence as middle linebacker while the CND tandem of Brett MacDonald and Jordan McKenzie should both see plenty of playing time on the remaining outside position.
Up front, defensive ends Will Harding and Dwight Campbell will be counted on heavily, while the inside beef of Ben Autio, Cody Lemieux, John Kosiw and Mathieu Gagnon looks to help win the battles in the pits.
Although the defensive secondary possesses a great deal of speed, their ability to provide solid pass coverage will impact heavily on the Gladiators' fortunes this year.
Mainstays Kennedy Voz, Patrick Boileau and Erik Donaldson will need to make a quick transition from their four-down high school season to the three-down game of the OFC that frequently spotlights the passing game.
One area where added depth does exist is in the kicking game as Richer will have access to left-footed Travis Perrin and right-footed Alex Carrier, both of whom have sailed balls through the uprights, with regularity, from 50 yards out.
"On paper, absolutely this is going to be a learning year," Richer said. "But we're not approaching it that way."
Coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the head coach is looking to earn home field advantage in the post-season, finishing either first or second in the OFC North.
The Gladiators play an eight-game regular season schedule, with the top four teams in both the north and south moving on to the playoffs.
The Gladiators home opener is set for June 4 when Huronia makes the trek north for a Junior/Varsity double-header at the James Jerome Sports Complex.
Gladiators' defence feeling bullish
By BEN LEESON, THE SUDBURY STAR / May 17, 2011
Owynn Lahnalampi is determined to make his mark.
If, in doing so, he has to leave a few marks on the opposition, so be it.
A little less than two weeks before his Sudbury Gladiators kick off the Ontario Football Conference varsity season, however, the veteran defensive end is spoiling for new targets.
"Oh yeah, I'm really getting sick and tired of hitting the same guys, the same jerseys, the same faces, day in and day out," Lahnalampi said Sunday, shortly before suiting up for his team's annual Blue and White intersquad game.
Part of his eagerness -- anxiousness, even -- is a byproduct of his team's relatively early start to training camp. Access to the artificial turf at James Jerome Sports Complex allowed the Gladiators to open camp in mid-April, instead of near the end of the month, like other Northern Ontario varsity squads.
But part of it comes from the knowledge that this season will be his swan song.
"Yeah, it's my last season," said Lahnalampi, an 18-year-old Chelmsford Valley District Composite School alumnus, who recently completed his first year at the University of Toronto.
"So I guess I had better make it the best one."
Sudbury's season-opener is a visit to the Clarington Knights on May 28. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
The Gladiators' home-opener is against the Huronia Stallions, who visit James Jerome field on June 4 for another 4 p.m. tilt.
Lahnalampi says the Gladiators, semifinalists the last two seasons, can finally reach the OFC title game this year.
"It looks great," said the 6- foot, 218-pound native of Onaping. "There's a lot of potential.
"It's a younger team, but that means they're very eager. They just hang on the words of the coaches."
And they hang on the words of veterans such as Lahnalampi. "The veteran guys, even more than the last two years, have to set a good example," he said.
That's why Sudbury head coach Brent Richer and his staff chose Lahnalampi as their defensive captain this year.
"This is my third year with Owynn and he has a great work ethic," Richer said. "He knows what we expect of and he knows how to motivate his teammates.
"He's very vocal. You catch him at practice saying things like, 'Don't waste reps,' always encouraging guys to do drills to the best of their ability.
"And he leads by example, too. Nobody works harder than he does. He always has a full gas tank. When he's on the field, he flies to where that ball is. You know he wants to make a play, not just to do his job, but to do his job and create something for us on the other side."
A humanities major at U of T, Lahnalampi hopes to become a regular with the Varsity Blues in the fall.
Following his varsity career, Lahnalampi may look to play his summer football for the Sudbury Spartans, who recently returned to the Northern Football Conference senior loop after a four-year absence.
"But, hopefully, I'll be set at university by then," Lahnalampi said. "Either way, right now I'm more focused on this team and this season. It's like coach Richer always says, don't focus on Tuesday when it's Saturday."
Gladiators battle for starting spots
By BEN LEESON, THE SUDBURY STAR / May 16, 2011
Sudbury Gladiators hopefuls had only a few hours to make the most of a month and a half of preparation Sunday, as the local Ontario Football Conference outfit held its annual Blue and Whi te intersquad game at James Jerome Sports Complex.
Aside from whetting the appetites of local football fans ahead of the 2011 varsity season, the event was meant to help Sudbury coaches determine the starting lineup for the Gladiators' season opener, a May 28 visit to the Clarington Knights.
Overall, Sudbury will field a younger team than it did in 2010, making for a competit ive training camp and requiring some difficult decision- making of head coach Brent Richer and his staff.
"This is where they fight for a starting job," Richer said.
"We've been coaching them along for about six or seven weeks and everyone has had equal opportunities at practice to learn routes and plays. Now, they have a limited window to secure playing time, to step up or fade away.
"Our goal is to use this to find our 24 first-team guys, so they have to be ready to battle."
Offence lined up against defence on Sunday, with each side awarded points for certain on-field accomplishments.
Points were handed out for touchdowns, but also to offensive players for runs of more than five yards, or defensive players who held rushers to three or fewer yard per carry.
Standouts on offence included receiver Liam Thorpe, who caught a 28- yeard touchdown pass from Dan Poirier.
Running back Josh Cuomo totalled more than 100 yards rushing.
On the defensive side, Zach Charlebois scored with an end-zone interception.
Kickoff for Sudbury's season opener against Clarington is set for 4 p.m.
Start time is the same for the Gladiators' June 4 home opener, a visit by the Huronia Stallions.
Gladiators' Poirier in spotlight
By BEN LEESON, THE SUDBURY STAR / May 13, 2011
Last season, Dan Poirier went from upstart to starter.
The Sudbury Gladiators quarterback began the 2010 Ontario Football Conference campaign as backup to veteran Travis Campbell, but played his way to the top of the depth chart by Week 3.
"In Game 2, we really liked what we saw from him, the way he was using his feet to extend the play," said Brent Richer, Gladiators head coach. "And by Game 3, he was playing.
"We didn't give it to him. He took it."
Heading into the 2011 varsity season, however, Poirier appears unchallenged under centre. But as far as he's concerned, he's still fighting for field time.
"No, you can't change the way you approach anything," said Poirier, a 17-year-old student at College Notre-Dame. "You have to keep that same mentality, that you're fighting every day at practice."
What helps keep Poirier fighting is the prospect of an OFC championship, something he believes the Gladiators, semifinalists last year, can attain this season.
Sudbury opens the regular season May 28 with a visit to the Clarington Knights.
The Gladiators' home opener is June 4 against the Huronia Stallions.
Both games are at 4 p.m.
"It's looking really good," Poirier said. "I like our team."
And Richer likes what he has seen from the speedy sophomore pivot during workouts at James Jerome Sports Complex.
Already blessed with quick feet and a powerful throwing arm, the 5-foot-11, 190- pounder has displayed an improved grasp of the game's finer points.
"Even this year, already, he's showing a better understanding of the offence," Richer said. "Sometimes, when it comes to making adjustments in camp, when we notice someone running the wrong route and we go to mention it to them, he has already beaten us to it. He has told them, 'When you see this, you have to do this.' He's taking it upon himself."
Most of the Gladiators' other starters will be determined foll ow i n g Sunday's Blue and White intersquad game, set for 2 p.m. at James Jerome.
Poirier knows he'll see new faces at receiver following the graduation of standout Josh Haslam.
Haslam helped Poirier collect 931 yards last year, while completing 61 of 121 passes for nine touchdowns, with five interceptions.
"Last year, it was almost a little too easy to go long, because we had Josh, who was 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds with a lot of speed," Poirier said.
"This year, we're going to rely a lot more on the run, with Jessy Bertin-Haggart and Josh Cuomo in the backfield."
Impressed as Richer is with his quarterback's ability to stretch the field, he and his staff have been helping Poirier focus on high-percentage plays.
"As good as he is getting, of course, there are things he needs to learn," Richer said. "Like any young quarterback, it's about eliminating the mental mistakes. Dan likes to stretch the field, but we're get-t ing him to make shorter throws, more high-percentage throws, to move down the field step by step."
Practising on the artificial turf of James Jerome has helped the Gladiators get an early start to training camp.
"Yeah, usually we don't get outside until the last week of April, but this year, thanks to the field, we were out there the second week of April," Richer said.
"As a coach, you're always nervous, but I have been calling around and in the North and even in southern Ontario, we're on par with them, if not well ahead."
Sudbury Gladiators a blue-collar bunch
By BEN LEESON, THE SUDBURY STAR / April 16, 2011
To Sudbury Gladiators head coach Brent Richer, his team's present looks a little like its past.
"It reminds me of my first year here," said Richer, head coach of the Ontario Football Conference club since 2009. "This is hoping to be more of a lunch-pail, get-to-work kind of team, one that tries to outwork you and out-pound you.
"Last year, we were a little more razzle dazzle."
Two of the top razzler dazzlers were starting tailback Joey Martellacci and receiver Josh Haslam, league leaders in their respective yardage categories, who have been lost to graduation.
"This year, we'll be aggressive and look to tire teams out," Richer said, prior to Friday's practice at James Jerome Sports Complex.
Between the varsity squad, which Richer coaches, and its junior counterpart, led by Kevin Ellsworth, some 90 players are registered for the upcoming season, which starts in May.
Last year, Richer's team finished third, behind the Twin Cities Predators and Burlington Stampeders, with a record of 4- 2-2, reaching the semifinals before bowing out against Burlington.
And despite the departure of players such as Martellacci and Haslam, Richer believes there's every reason to be optimistic again this season.
Several key veterans, including starting quarterback Daniel Poirier, are set to return,
"There's a real mix," Richer said. "Of the three birth years we draw from, '92, '93, '94, we have double digits in each category."
"We had a big graduating class last year, especially at skill positions. But it's varsity football and every year you have new guys who step up."
One who hopes to step up is defensive back Eric Donaldson, a 17-year-old Lo-Ellen Park student set to make his varsity debut.
Ellsworth, Donaldson's coach at Lo-Ellen, helped con-v ince him to go out for the Gladiators.
"He told me I had potential and that I should expand on that," Donaldson said.
He has impressed Richer and the other Gladiators staffers.
"They're pretty dedicated and they know what they're talking about," Donaldson said.
"This is a good opportunity. Especially being three-down football, the defence has the chance to make some bigger plays."
Friday's practice was the last dryland session for the Gladiators, who start training in equipment on Wednesday.
Sudbury opens the regularseason schedule on May 28, when they visit the Clarington Knights for a 4 p.m. kickoff.
The Gladiators have their home opener on June 4, against the Huronia Stallions, also at 4 p.m.
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