Central Kings Gator Football Booster Club: Gator History
Season Records
Regular Seasons
Season Wins Losses Ties Win Percentage Head Coach
2008 3 5 0 0.375 Ingles
2009 3 5 0 0.375 Ingles
2010 5 3 0 0.625 Priestnall
Playoff
Season Wins Losses Ties Win Percentage Head Coach
2008 0 1 0 0.000 Ingles
2009 3 0 0 1.000 Ingles
2010 0 1 0 0.000 Priestnall
Playoff
Seasons Wins Losses Ties Win Percentage Head Coach
3 14 15 0 0.483 Ingles
Tier 2 Playoff appearances:2
Tier 1 Playoff appearances: 1
Championships
Tier 2: 2009
Tier 1: none
Tuesday, October 12
Gator All Time Team Record
| TEAMS | GAMES | WINS | LOSSES | WINNING % |
| Citadel | 3 |
0 | 3 |
0.000 |
| Horton | 4 |
2 |
2 | 0.500 |
| Sir John A McDonald | 2 | 0 | 2 |
0.000 |
| Dartmouth | 1 | 1 |
1 | 0.500 |
| Cole Harbour | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0.500 |
| JL Ilsley | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.667 |
| CP Allen | 1 |
1 |
0 | 0.000 |
| Sackville | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
| Halifax West | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Lockview | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Cobequid | 1 | 0 | 1 |
0.000 |
| Gillis | 2 |
2 |
0 | 1.000 |
| Avon View | 3 |
2 |
1 | 0.667 |
| NKEC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0.667 |
| Prince Andrew | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| Auburn | 2 |
2 |
0 | 1.000 |
| TOTAL | 29 |
14 |
15 |
0.482 |
Saturday, November 28
Gator All Time Individual Records
Note: Started in 2009 - No accurate Stats for 2008
For a Single Season
| Record | Total | Player | Year |
| Rushing yards per season: | 1567 | Iain MacMillan | 2009 |
| Passing yards per season: | 932 | Mike Stevens | 2009 |
| Pass completions per season: | 65/142 | Mike Stevens | 2009 |
| Receiving yards per season: | 375 | Roland Provencal | 2009 |
| Receptions per season: | 21 | Devin Locke | 2009 |
| Total Points | 92 | Chris Alguire | 2009 |
| Touchdowns | 11 | Iain MacMillan | 2009 |
| Field Goals | 9/16 | Chris Alguire | 2009 |
| Extra Points | 22 | Chris Alguire | 2009 |
| Tackles per Season | 69 | Mitchell Best | 2009 |
| Tackles for Loss (Including Sacks) | 13 | Jacob Gee | 2009 |
| Quarterback Sacks | 6 | Jacob Gee | 2009 |
| Interceptions | 8 | Roland Provencal | 2009 |
| TD on Defense | 1 | Brett Hines | 2009 |
| Adriano DiGioacchino | 2009 | ||
| Chris Alguire | 2009 | ||
| Shawndel Sampson | 2009 | ||
| Fumble Recoveries | 2 | Jacob Gee | 2009 |
Career
Record
Total
Player
Grad Year
Rushing yards per season:
1567
Iain MacMillan
2011
Passing yards per season:
932
Mike Stevens
2011
Pass completions per season:
65/142
Mike Stevens
2011
Receiving yards per season:
375
Roland Provencal
2010
Receptions per season:
21
Devin Locke
2010
Total Points
92
Chris Alguire
2010
Touchdowns
11
Iain MacMillan
2011
Field Goals
9/16
Chris Alguire
2010
Extra Points
22
Chris Alguire
2010
Tackles per Season
69
Mitchell Best
2011
Tackles for Loss (Including Sacks)
13
Jacob Gee
2011
Quarterback Sacks
6
Jacob Gee
2011
Interceptions
8
Roland Provencal
2010
TD on Defense
1
Brett Hines
2010
Adriano DiGioacchino
2010
Chris Alguire
2010
Shawndel Sampson
2010
Fumble Recoveries
2
Jacob Gee
2011
Thursday, December 2
Season 3 Recap
Season 3 Recap
Second year:
Regular Season: 5 - 3
Playoff Tier 1: 0-1- Tier 1 Quarter-final loss to Citadel (Tier 1 Champion)
Overall: 5-4
Wins: Auburn T2, Avon View (I), Horton T2, J.H. Gillis T2, Dartmouth T2
Losses: Cobequid T2, Sir John A McDonald T1, Citaldel T1, C.P Allen T1
All Stars: Scotia Division
First Team:
Running Bask: Ian MacMillan
Fullback: Robert Priestnall
Defensive Line: Jacob Gee
Defensive Line: Kyle Aitken
Defensive Back: Todd Dow
Second Team:
Receiver: Brandon Patterson
Offensive Line: Bradley Burgess
Offensive Line: Andrew Jennings-Lindsay
Linebacker: Nick Lamb
TEAM AWARDS:
Defensive MVP:
Offensive MVP:
Lineman Award:
Gator Award:
Captains' Choice:
Player's Choice:
First Year Player:
Most Improved:
Playoff MVP:
Monday, November 23
Season 2 Recap
Second year:
Regular Season: 3 - 5
Playoff Tier 2: 3-0 - Tier 2 Champions
Overall: 6-5
Wins: Auburn, NKEC (2) , J.L. Ilsley, JH Gillis and Cole Harbour
Losses: Horton T1, Sir John A McDonald T1, Citaldel T1, Dartmouth T1 and Cole Harbour T2
All Stars: Division A
First Team:
Defensive End: Jacob Gee
Second Team:
Linebacker: Mitchell Best
Conerback: Shawndell Sampson
Running Back: Iain MacMillan
Offensive Line: Drake Lowthers
Offensive Line: Bradley Burgess
TEAM AWARDS:
Defensive MVP:
Offensive MVP:
Lineman Award:
Gator Award:
Captains' Choice:
Player's Choice:
First Year Player:
Most Improved:
Playoff MVP:
Thursday, January 21
2009 Award Recipients:
Annual Awards
Offensive MVP Award: Iain MacMillan
Defensive MVP Award: Jacob Gee
Lineman Award: Drake Lowthers
Gator Award: Lloyd Boutilier (Assistant Athletic Director)
New awards for 2009
First Year (Rookie) Player Award: Jeremy Foote
Most Improved: Devon Locke
Playoff MVP Award: Chris Alguire
Captain's Choice Award: Tyler Varner
Player's Choice Award: Shawndell Sampson
Sunday, November 30
Season 1 - Recap
Inagural year:
Regular Season: 3 - 5
Playoff Regular: 0-1
Overall: 3 - 6
Wins: J.L. Isley, Horton and Avon View
Losses: Horton, Avon View, Sackville, Citaldel, NKEC and J.L Isley in the Tier 2 Quarter finals
All Stars: Tier 2
- Drake Lowthers - Center - Junior
- Shawndell Sampson - Cornerback - Junior
- Jacob Meisner - Defensive Line - Senior
- Tyler Dorherty - Linebacker - Senior
TEAM AWARDS:
Defensive MVP: Tyler Doherty
Offensive MVP: Jeremy Shepherd
Lineman Award: Jacob Meisner
Gator Award: Tom Lutz
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Gators on to provincial Tier 2 football final
by John Decoste/The AdvertiserView all articles from John Decoste/The Advertiser
Article online since November 16th 2009, 12:12
Chris Alguire (#8) was a key player for Central Kings in a 31-14 semifinal win over Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals Nov. 15 in Antigonish. Alguire kicked a field goal, converted four touchdowns (one of the converts was worth two points) and scored a key touchdown on an interception return early in the second half (with C.K. leading by just 8-7) head coach Jonathan Ingles termed the turning point of the game. With the win, the Gators advance to the provincial Tier 2 football final Nov. 22 against Cole Harbour. V.Dow
Gators on to provincial Tier 2 football final
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Register
Central Kings head coach Jonathan Ingles had two goals entering the 2009 NSSAF football season: to host a Tier 1 playoff game and, failing that, to win the provincial Tier 2 championship.
The second of those goals is still attainable following the Gators’ 31-14 win over the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals Nov. 15 on the turf at St. F.X. in Antigonish.
Central Kings will meet Cole Harbour in the provincial Tier 2 final Nov. 22 in Halifax, tentatively a 1 p.m. start at Saint Mary’s Huskies Stadium.
Speaking Nov. 16, Ingles termed Sunday’s victory “the best ‘team win’ we’ve had all season, both on offense and defense.”
Fullback Robert Priestnall, who “was an absolute force running the ball,” was a key to the success offensively.
“He was unstoppable: running over people, through people, around people and, in turn, opened up running room for Iain (MacMillan), who ended up scoring two touchdowns.”
Both Priestnall and MacMillan ended up with more than 100 yards rushing.
Mike Stevens, who had another strong game at quarterback, had a rushing touchdown. Chris Alguire rounded out the scoring with 14 points on a touchdown, a field goal and four converts, one of them for two points.
The Gators opened the scoring on MacMillan’s touchdown run on C.K.’s second offensive play of the game, but led by just one point, 8-7 at halftime.
The second half began with Alguire picking off an interception and running it in for a touchdown Ingles termed “the turning point of the game.
“There was no looking back from there,” he said. “Though (Dr. Gillis) once got back to within four points after that, we never gave up the lead.”
Defensively, Roland Provencal had two interceptions, and linebacker Tyler Varner, all-star lineman Jacob Gee and defensive back Alex MacCarthy “all stood out” at their respective positions.
Ingles admitted, if the Gators were fortunate enough to advance to the Tier 2 final (which they now have), Cole Harbour “is who I wanted to play” because of unfinished business between the two teams. The Cavaliers defeated Central Kings 33-13 in the final regular season game for both teams Nov. 1 in Wolfville.
“We didn’t play well against them last time: we spotted them a 21-point lead in the first half, but they should find us an improved team this time around,” Ingles said.
“It’ll be a tough game, but it’s definitely winnable.”
Kings County Register
Central Kings head coach Jonathan Ingles had two goals entering the 2009 NSSAF football season: to host a Tier 1 playoff game and, failing that, to win the provincial Tier 2 championship.
The second of those goals is still attainable following the Gators’ 31-14 win over the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals Nov. 15 on the turf at St. F.X. in Antigonish.
Central Kings will meet Cole Harbour in the provincial Tier 2 final Nov. 22 in Halifax, tentatively a 1 p.m. start at Saint Mary’s Huskies Stadium.
Speaking Nov. 16, Ingles termed Sunday’s victory “the best ‘team win’ we’ve had all season, both on offense and defense.”
Fullback Robert Priestnall, who “was an absolute force running the ball,” was a key to the success offensively.
“He was unstoppable: running over people, through people, around people and, in turn, opened up running room for Iain (MacMillan), who ended up scoring two touchdowns.”
Both Priestnall and MacMillan ended up with more than 100 yards rushing.
Mike Stevens, who had another strong game at quarterback, had a rushing touchdown. Chris Alguire rounded out the scoring with 14 points on a touchdown, a field goal and four converts, one of them for two points.
The Gators opened the scoring on MacMillan’s touchdown run on C.K.’s second offensive play of the game, but led by just one point, 8-7 at halftime.
The second half began with Alguire picking off an interception and running it in for a touchdown Ingles termed “the turning point of the game.
“There was no looking back from there,” he said. “Though (Dr. Gillis) once got back to within four points after that, we never gave up the lead.”
Defensively, Roland Provencal had two interceptions, and linebacker Tyler Varner, all-star lineman Jacob Gee and defensive back Alex MacCarthy “all stood out” at their respective positions.
Ingles admitted, if the Gators were fortunate enough to advance to the Tier 2 final (which they now have), Cole Harbour “is who I wanted to play” because of unfinished business between the two teams. The Cavaliers defeated Central Kings 33-13 in the final regular season game for both teams Nov. 1 in Wolfville.
“We didn’t play well against them last time: we spotted them a 21-point lead in the first half, but they should find us an improved team this time around,” Ingles said.
“It’ll be a tough game, but it’s definitely winnable.”
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Wednesday, November 11
NSSAFFL All-stars 2009-10
NSSAFFL Division A All-Stars 2009
First Team:
Defensive End: Jacob Gee
NSSAFFL Division A All-Stars 2009Second Team:
Linebacker: Mitchell Best
Conerback: Shawndell Sampson
Running Back: Iain MacMillan
Offensive Line: Drake Lowthers
Offensive Line: Bradley Burgess
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Gators advance to Tier 2 semis; Horton, Avon View out
by John Decoste/The Advertiser View all articles from John Decoste/The Advertiser
Article online since November 9th 2009, 19:24
Quarterback Nick Bawn and the rest of the Horton offense were held in check by the Lockview Dragons in a 57-16 Lockview win in NSSAF Tier 1 football playoff action Nov. 8 in Wolfville. The Griffins, second in the regular season with a 7-1 record, were eliminated from further competition with the loss. J.DeCoste
Gators advance to Tier 2 semis; Horton, Avon View out
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Register
And then there was one.
The Central Kings Gators are the only Valley team left standing in NSSAF football after the first weekend of the playoffs.
Central Kings took care of business with a 40-0 shutout win over the NKEC Titans Nov. 8 in Wolfville.
Horton was thumped 57-16 by Lockview that afternoon in Wolfville, and Avon View was also eliminated with a 35-14 loss to J.L. Ilsley.
Easily the most disappointing result of the day belonged to the Griffins, who entered the playoffs on a roll following a 7-1 regular season.
Horton, however, got off to a terrible start, with a blocked kick, an interception and a fumble on the Griffins’ first three possessions staking Lockview to a 21-0 lead before the game was eight minutes old.
Led by the running of Colin Rogers (194 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns) and Evan Terrace (109 yards on 14 carries, one touchdown), Lockview took a 36-10 halftime lead and cruised to the victory.
“We pretty much wrote our own book on how to lose a game in the first two minutes,” head coach Alec Hyndman said Monday.
“We ran two offensive plays and had two turnovers. We couldn’t run the ball because we couldn’t block. It was pretty disheartening.”
Conor Stewart had a touchdown reception on one of Horton’s few offensive highlights of the afternoon. Robert Lannan also had a strong game, both punting and kicking as well as receiving.
Hyndman had praise for Grade 10 starters Robert Adams and Adam Melanson.
“Robert had the best individual effort on the team, though he couldn’t get going running the ball, and Adam played pretty much the whole game with a pulled hamstring, but he never gave up.”
The Griffins will have around 35 players back next season – though all-star quarterback Nick Bawn, in Grade 12, will be a key loss.
“We went from last to second overall in one year, finished 7-1 and hosted a Tier 1 playoff game,” Hyndman said. “Though we’re pretty disappointed right now, I guess we have a lot to be happy about this season.”
Central Kings, meanwhile, romped to victory over a short-staffed NKEC squad, which again had several players playing both offense and defense. Chris Alguire was the story of the game for C.K., catching a pair of touchdown passes from Mike Stevens and adding three field goals and three converts for a total of 24 of his team’s 40 points. Alguire also made what head coach Jonathan Ingles referred to as “a shutout-saving tackle” on a punt return late in the game.
Iain MacMillan had a rushing touchdown, and ‘Boo’ DiGiaoacchino, who had “an outstanding game,” according to Ingles; had a touchdown on an interception return.
“I can’t say enough about the way the defense played,” Ingles said Monday. “They were totally dominant.” The NKEC offense “wasn’t able to move the ball at all until we went with our reserves in the second half.”
The Gators “had some difficulty running the ball early in the game, but we went to more of a passing game, which then allowed us to re-establish our running game.”
Ingles reserved special praise for Di Giaoacchino, who played both offense and defense and “literally wasn’t off the field the entire game.” Mitch Best, Jacob Gee, Shawndell Sampson and Roland Provencal were keys to the defense (Sampson and Provencal both had interceptions).
With the win, Central Kings moves on to face the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals in a Tier 2 semifinal this weekend in Antigonish.
“It was 27-0 at halftime, but it didn’t feel like it,” NKEC co-head coach Wally Archer said Monday. “We were all over them in the first quarter defensively, but two interceptions and a fumble led to three touchdowns for them.”
The score, he suggested, “wasn’t indicative of the game. We just couldn’t move the ball, and our defense, while they played well, got tired.”
Archer acknowledged, “it’s been a long rough season.” At the same time, “we’re looking forward to next year. We have a lot of players returning, and they all want to play. Numbers and support will dictate what happens.”
In Windsor, Mackenzie Goodwin and Duncan Coady both had a pair of touchdowns to lead J.L. Ilsley to its win over Avon View. Liam Spencer and Duncan Armour had the touchdowns for the Avalanche.
Kings County Register
And then there was one.
The Central Kings Gators are the only Valley team left standing in NSSAF football after the first weekend of the playoffs.
Central Kings took care of business with a 40-0 shutout win over the NKEC Titans Nov. 8 in Wolfville.
Horton was thumped 57-16 by Lockview that afternoon in Wolfville, and Avon View was also eliminated with a 35-14 loss to J.L. Ilsley.
Easily the most disappointing result of the day belonged to the Griffins, who entered the playoffs on a roll following a 7-1 regular season.
Horton, however, got off to a terrible start, with a blocked kick, an interception and a fumble on the Griffins’ first three possessions staking Lockview to a 21-0 lead before the game was eight minutes old.
Led by the running of Colin Rogers (194 yards on 22 carries and four touchdowns) and Evan Terrace (109 yards on 14 carries, one touchdown), Lockview took a 36-10 halftime lead and cruised to the victory.
“We pretty much wrote our own book on how to lose a game in the first two minutes,” head coach Alec Hyndman said Monday.
“We ran two offensive plays and had two turnovers. We couldn’t run the ball because we couldn’t block. It was pretty disheartening.”
Conor Stewart had a touchdown reception on one of Horton’s few offensive highlights of the afternoon. Robert Lannan also had a strong game, both punting and kicking as well as receiving.
Hyndman had praise for Grade 10 starters Robert Adams and Adam Melanson.
“Robert had the best individual effort on the team, though he couldn’t get going running the ball, and Adam played pretty much the whole game with a pulled hamstring, but he never gave up.”
The Griffins will have around 35 players back next season – though all-star quarterback Nick Bawn, in Grade 12, will be a key loss.
“We went from last to second overall in one year, finished 7-1 and hosted a Tier 1 playoff game,” Hyndman said. “Though we’re pretty disappointed right now, I guess we have a lot to be happy about this season.”
Central Kings, meanwhile, romped to victory over a short-staffed NKEC squad, which again had several players playing both offense and defense. Chris Alguire was the story of the game for C.K., catching a pair of touchdown passes from Mike Stevens and adding three field goals and three converts for a total of 24 of his team’s 40 points. Alguire also made what head coach Jonathan Ingles referred to as “a shutout-saving tackle” on a punt return late in the game.
Iain MacMillan had a rushing touchdown, and ‘Boo’ DiGiaoacchino, who had “an outstanding game,” according to Ingles; had a touchdown on an interception return.
“I can’t say enough about the way the defense played,” Ingles said Monday. “They were totally dominant.” The NKEC offense “wasn’t able to move the ball at all until we went with our reserves in the second half.”
The Gators “had some difficulty running the ball early in the game, but we went to more of a passing game, which then allowed us to re-establish our running game.”
Ingles reserved special praise for Di Giaoacchino, who played both offense and defense and “literally wasn’t off the field the entire game.” Mitch Best, Jacob Gee, Shawndell Sampson and Roland Provencal were keys to the defense (Sampson and Provencal both had interceptions).
With the win, Central Kings moves on to face the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals in a Tier 2 semifinal this weekend in Antigonish.
“It was 27-0 at halftime, but it didn’t feel like it,” NKEC co-head coach Wally Archer said Monday. “We were all over them in the first quarter defensively, but two interceptions and a fumble led to three touchdowns for them.”
The score, he suggested, “wasn’t indicative of the game. We just couldn’t move the ball, and our defense, while they played well, got tired.”
Archer acknowledged, “it’s been a long rough season.” At the same time, “we’re looking forward to next year. We have a lot of players returning, and they all want to play. Numbers and support will dictate what happens.”
In Windsor, Mackenzie Goodwin and Duncan Coady both had a pair of touchdowns to lead J.L. Ilsley to its win over Avon View. Liam Spencer and Duncan Armour had the touchdowns for the Avalanche.
Sunday, November 8
Host of Valley players named NSSAF football all-stars
by John Decoste/The Advertiser View all articles from John Decoste/The Advertiser
Article online since November 8th 2009, 11:52
Jacob Gee (#54, left) of the Central Kings Gators, shown assisting on a tackle during action against NKEC this season; was one of seven Valley players chosen first-team all-stars for the NSSAF high school football league this season. Fourteen other Valley players were named second-team all-stars. File
Host of Valley players named NSSAF football all-stars
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Advertiser
A number of players from Valley schools were among the NSSAF high school football all-stars chosen last week by the high school coaches.
Horton, second in the provincial league with a 7-1 record, had six all-stars selected plus a couple of major award winners.
Central Kings (3-5) and Avon View (3-5) both had six all-star selections, and NKEC (1-7) had three players chosen.
As there were no interdivisional games, each division of the league picked its own all-stars, Horton and Central Kings played in the A division, while Avon View and NKEC played in the B division.
From Horton, Grant Crowell was chosen a first-team all-star at linebacker, and was also co-winner of the A Division Most Valuable Player award.
Horton centre Andy Calder was a first-team all-star offensive lineman.
Adam Melanson – who, like Crowell, played both offense and defense for the Griffins this season – was chosen a second-team defensive lineman, and was also the choice for Rookie of the Year.
Nick Bawn was named a second-team all-star at quarterback (and, according, to his head coach, Alec Hyndman, was runner-up in the voting for Offensive Player of the Year).
Other Horton second-team all-stars were receiver Will Stewart and defensive back David Newcombe.
Central Kings had one first-team all-star, defensive lineman Jacob Gee, and five players named to the second team – linebacker Mitch Best, defensive back Shawndell Sampson, running back Iain MacMillan and offensive linemen Bradley Burgess and Drake Lowthers.
“All the players chosen are good players who had good seasons,” said C.K. head coach Jonathan Ingles. MacMillan had 1,139 yards rushing, while Gee “had practically as many tackles as our linebackers.”
Chosen from Avon View were offensive lineman Justin Clark and linebacker Tevaughn Scott, named to the B division first team, and second-teamers Kyle Burgess, an offensive lineman, defensive backs Liam Spencer and Duncan Armour and receiver Greg Wheaton. In addition, Tevaughn Scott was the choice as Defensive MVP for the B Division.
NKEC players chosen all-stars were Vince Cashin, chosen a first-team defensive back; Jeff Longaphy a first-team linebacker; and Brandon Bishop, a second-team defensive lineman.
Again, the selections were “very deserving,” according to NKEC co-head coach Wally Archer.
“These three kids all put a lot of work and effort into their game this year.”
Kings County Advertiser
A number of players from Valley schools were among the NSSAF high school football all-stars chosen last week by the high school coaches.
Horton, second in the provincial league with a 7-1 record, had six all-stars selected plus a couple of major award winners.
Central Kings (3-5) and Avon View (3-5) both had six all-star selections, and NKEC (1-7) had three players chosen.
As there were no interdivisional games, each division of the league picked its own all-stars, Horton and Central Kings played in the A division, while Avon View and NKEC played in the B division.
From Horton, Grant Crowell was chosen a first-team all-star at linebacker, and was also co-winner of the A Division Most Valuable Player award.
Horton centre Andy Calder was a first-team all-star offensive lineman.
Adam Melanson – who, like Crowell, played both offense and defense for the Griffins this season – was chosen a second-team defensive lineman, and was also the choice for Rookie of the Year.
Nick Bawn was named a second-team all-star at quarterback (and, according, to his head coach, Alec Hyndman, was runner-up in the voting for Offensive Player of the Year).
Other Horton second-team all-stars were receiver Will Stewart and defensive back David Newcombe.
Central Kings had one first-team all-star, defensive lineman Jacob Gee, and five players named to the second team – linebacker Mitch Best, defensive back Shawndell Sampson, running back Iain MacMillan and offensive linemen Bradley Burgess and Drake Lowthers.
“All the players chosen are good players who had good seasons,” said C.K. head coach Jonathan Ingles. MacMillan had 1,139 yards rushing, while Gee “had practically as many tackles as our linebackers.”
Chosen from Avon View were offensive lineman Justin Clark and linebacker Tevaughn Scott, named to the B division first team, and second-teamers Kyle Burgess, an offensive lineman, defensive backs Liam Spencer and Duncan Armour and receiver Greg Wheaton. In addition, Tevaughn Scott was the choice as Defensive MVP for the B Division.
NKEC players chosen all-stars were Vince Cashin, chosen a first-team defensive back; Jeff Longaphy a first-team linebacker; and Brandon Bishop, a second-team defensive lineman.
Again, the selections were “very deserving,” according to NKEC co-head coach Wally Archer.
“These three kids all put a lot of work and effort into their game this year.”
Wednesday, November 4
Valley Teams to Host Football Playoff Games
by John Decoste/The Advertiser
View all articles from John Decoste/The Advertiser
Article online since November 4th 2009, 15:18
Central Kings and NKEC, shown here in action from earlier this season, will meet Sunday evening in Wolfville in one of three first-round playoff games featuring Valley teams. Horton hosts Lockview earlier on Sunday, also at Acadia, while Avon View hosts J.L. Ilsley Sunday in Windsor.
Valley teams host football playoff games
BY JOHN DECOSTE
jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca
NovaNewsNow.com
The official playoff schedule is out for NSSAF high school football, and three of the four Valley teams are hosting playoff games this weekend.
In Tier 1, Horton will host Lockview Sunday at 2 p.m. on Acadia's Raymond Field. That game will be followed by a Tier 2 playoff matchup between Central Kings and NKEC beginning at 6 p.m.
Avon View will host the J.L. Ilsley Judges in a Tier 2 playoff match Sunday at 1 p.m. in Windsor.
The other Tier 1 matchups see top-ranked Citadel host CEC, Halifax West host Sir John A. Macdonald and Sackville host Dartmouth.
The other Tier 2 match-ups have Cole Harbour hosting Prince Andrew and Dr. J.H. Gillis hosting C.P. Allen.
jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca
NovaNewsNow.com
The official playoff schedule is out for NSSAF high school football, and three of the four Valley teams are hosting playoff games this weekend.
In Tier 1, Horton will host Lockview Sunday at 2 p.m. on Acadia's Raymond Field. That game will be followed by a Tier 2 playoff matchup between Central Kings and NKEC beginning at 6 p.m.
Avon View will host the J.L. Ilsley Judges in a Tier 2 playoff match Sunday at 1 p.m. in Windsor.
The other Tier 1 matchups see top-ranked Citadel host CEC, Halifax West host Sir John A. Macdonald and Sackville host Dartmouth.
The other Tier 2 match-ups have Cole Harbour hosting Prince Andrew and Dr. J.H. Gillis hosting C.P. Allen.
Tuesday, November 3
Horton 7-1 following 27-22 win over J.L. Ilsley
by John Decoste/The Advertiser View all articles from John Decoste/The Advertiser
Article online since November 4th 2009, 12:30
Horton’s Adam Melanson (with ball) played fullback on offense as well as defensive end in Horton’s 27-22 win over J.L. Ilsley Oct. 31 in Wolfville. Melanson had his usual solid game on defense, and also made a significant contribution offensively, catching a touchdown pass and running for another major score. J.DeCoste
Horton 7-1 following 27-22 win over J.L. Ilsley
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Register
The Horton Griffins took care of business on the final weekend of the NSSAF football regular season and, as a result, will host a Tier 1 playoff game after finishing the regular season with a 7-1 record.
It wasn’t always easy, but the Griffins topped the J. L. Ilsley Judges 27-22 in an entertaining game (from a fan’s perspective) Oct. 31 in Wolfville.
Horton had six players out with the flu; two others played with the flu.
“We’re happy with the win, though we definitely could have played better,” Horton head coach Alec Hyndman said after the game. “We weren’t clicking at all in the first half.”
J.L. Ilsley jumped out to a 14-0 second quarter lead after two Horton turnovers, one on an interception and the other on a fumble, gave the Judges good field position.
Horton got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter, when Nick Bawn found Adam Melanson, who played fullback on offense for the Griffins, with a short scoring pass. The convert attempt was unsuccessful, and the Griffins went into the halftime break down 14-6.
After the intermission, it didn’t take Horton long to both establish a strong running game and turn the score around. Powered by strong performances from Robert Adams and Melanson, Horton scored 19 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 25-14 lead. Adams ran for two touchdowns and Melanson one, giving both players two touchdowns for the game. The Griffins added a safety to lead 27-14 (at the point, Horton had scored 27 straight points), but J.L. Ilsley wasn’t through, marching down the field for a touchdown to make it 27-20, then forcing Horton to take a safety to pull to within five at 27-22.
The Griffins defense, though, came up big, forcing the Judges to turn the ball over on downs on their final possession to clinch the victory.
“We’ve always been able to come back,” Hyndman said of the early deficit, “but, on the other hand, we probably shouldn’t have been behind in the first place. Give credit to Ilsley, though. They battled hard and didn’t give up.”
As for the defense, “they’ve been there for us all year. Anytime we’ve needed a big play or a big stop, we’ve gotten them.”
When unbeaten Citadel blanked previously unbeaten Sir John A. Macdonald Flames 9-0 in their game Oct. 31, Horton officially clinched second place in the standings. Horton will host Lockview in a Tier 1 playoff game Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at Acadia.
In other NSSAF football action involving Valley teams, Central Kings lost 33-13 to Cole Harbour in Wolfville to finish the regular season at 3-5. Avon View also ended up at 3-5 after a 27-6 win over Auburn Drive in Windsor, and NKEC finished at 1-7 following a 48-8 loss to CEC in Canning.
Turnovers were the story in Central Kings’s loss to Cole Harbour. The Gators fumbled once and had two interceptions on offense, fumbled twice on special teams, and were also assessed 50 yards in penalties.
Central Kings had one rushing touchdown, scored by Chris Alguire, and one touchdown reception, by Roland Provencal. Mitch Best, involved in 15 tackles, led the Gators defensively.
Iain MacMillan had 104 yards rushing for C.K., and finished the regular season, his first playing high school football, with 1,138 rushing yards.
In Windsor, Russ Lavergne’s 80-yard kickoff return was a highlight for Avon View in their win over expansion Auburn Drive. Steve Long and Johnny Dill both had rushing touchdowns for the Avalanche.
In Canning, NKEC, which dressed just 23 players, ended up on the short end of a lopsided score, but Titans’ co-head coach Wally Archer noted, “we saw some things we really liked.”
Among them was another solid performance by Vince Cashin who, like many of the Titans, was forced to play on both sides of the ball. Cashin scored NKEC’s lone touchdown on “a nice outside run,” along with turning in “another outstanding performance on defense.”
NKEC and Central Kings will meet in a Tier 2 playoff game Nov. 8 at Acadia. Avon View’s opening-round playoff opponent will be J.L. Ilsley.
Kings County Register
The Horton Griffins took care of business on the final weekend of the NSSAF football regular season and, as a result, will host a Tier 1 playoff game after finishing the regular season with a 7-1 record.
It wasn’t always easy, but the Griffins topped the J. L. Ilsley Judges 27-22 in an entertaining game (from a fan’s perspective) Oct. 31 in Wolfville.
Horton had six players out with the flu; two others played with the flu.
“We’re happy with the win, though we definitely could have played better,” Horton head coach Alec Hyndman said after the game. “We weren’t clicking at all in the first half.”
J.L. Ilsley jumped out to a 14-0 second quarter lead after two Horton turnovers, one on an interception and the other on a fumble, gave the Judges good field position.
Horton got on the scoreboard late in the second quarter, when Nick Bawn found Adam Melanson, who played fullback on offense for the Griffins, with a short scoring pass. The convert attempt was unsuccessful, and the Griffins went into the halftime break down 14-6.
After the intermission, it didn’t take Horton long to both establish a strong running game and turn the score around. Powered by strong performances from Robert Adams and Melanson, Horton scored 19 unanswered points in the third quarter to take a 25-14 lead. Adams ran for two touchdowns and Melanson one, giving both players two touchdowns for the game. The Griffins added a safety to lead 27-14 (at the point, Horton had scored 27 straight points), but J.L. Ilsley wasn’t through, marching down the field for a touchdown to make it 27-20, then forcing Horton to take a safety to pull to within five at 27-22.
The Griffins defense, though, came up big, forcing the Judges to turn the ball over on downs on their final possession to clinch the victory.
“We’ve always been able to come back,” Hyndman said of the early deficit, “but, on the other hand, we probably shouldn’t have been behind in the first place. Give credit to Ilsley, though. They battled hard and didn’t give up.”
As for the defense, “they’ve been there for us all year. Anytime we’ve needed a big play or a big stop, we’ve gotten them.”
When unbeaten Citadel blanked previously unbeaten Sir John A. Macdonald Flames 9-0 in their game Oct. 31, Horton officially clinched second place in the standings. Horton will host Lockview in a Tier 1 playoff game Nov. 8 at 2 p.m. at Acadia.
In other NSSAF football action involving Valley teams, Central Kings lost 33-13 to Cole Harbour in Wolfville to finish the regular season at 3-5. Avon View also ended up at 3-5 after a 27-6 win over Auburn Drive in Windsor, and NKEC finished at 1-7 following a 48-8 loss to CEC in Canning.
Turnovers were the story in Central Kings’s loss to Cole Harbour. The Gators fumbled once and had two interceptions on offense, fumbled twice on special teams, and were also assessed 50 yards in penalties.
Central Kings had one rushing touchdown, scored by Chris Alguire, and one touchdown reception, by Roland Provencal. Mitch Best, involved in 15 tackles, led the Gators defensively.
Iain MacMillan had 104 yards rushing for C.K., and finished the regular season, his first playing high school football, with 1,138 rushing yards.
In Windsor, Russ Lavergne’s 80-yard kickoff return was a highlight for Avon View in their win over expansion Auburn Drive. Steve Long and Johnny Dill both had rushing touchdowns for the Avalanche.
In Canning, NKEC, which dressed just 23 players, ended up on the short end of a lopsided score, but Titans’ co-head coach Wally Archer noted, “we saw some things we really liked.”
Among them was another solid performance by Vince Cashin who, like many of the Titans, was forced to play on both sides of the ball. Cashin scored NKEC’s lone touchdown on “a nice outside run,” along with turning in “another outstanding performance on defense.”
NKEC and Central Kings will meet in a Tier 2 playoff game Nov. 8 at Acadia. Avon View’s opening-round playoff opponent will be J.L. Ilsley.
Sunday, November 1
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Friday, October 31
Twelve Valley players named high school football all-stars
BY JOHN DECOSTE
jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca
NovaNewsNow.com
A number of players from Valley teams were among the NSSAF Football League all-star selections announced this week.
NKEC, which finished the year sixth in the league standings and qualified for the Tier 1 playoffs, had two players named to the Tier 1 first all-star team. Three players made the second team.
Roland Provencal was chosen a first-team all-star on offense at the receiver position and Jeff Zwicker was a first-team pick at defensive back.
Titans’ offensive lineman Dakota Hopper, defensive lineman Mike Livingstone and linebacker Isaac Ueffing were all named to the second all-star team for Tier 1.
A total of seven players from Valley schools were picked as all-stars in Tier 2, where only one all-star team was chosen.
The Tier 2 all-stars included offensive lineman Drake Lowthers, defensive lineman Jacob Meisner, linebacker Tyler Doherty and defensive back Shawndell Sampson of Central Kings; Horton linebacker Dougie Gee and defensive lineman Cordell Perry; and defensive back Curtis Broussard from Avon View.
The NSSAFFL playoff quarter-finals will be played this weekend, with NKEC meeting third-ranked Citadel High in Tier 1 action Saturday evening.
Central Kings, Horton and Avon View all qualified for the Tier 2 playoffs. The Gators, who finished fourth in Tier 2 (and 11th overall in their first season), are the only Valley team to host a playoff game, meeting fifth-seed J.L. Ilsley Sunday at 6 p.m. at Acadia.
Eighth-seed Horton will meet top-ranked (in Tier 2) C.P. Allen Saturday evening on the Burnside turf and seventh-ranked Avon View tangles with second-seed Halifax West Sunday afternoon on the Mainland Commons.
Thursday, October 30
High school football playoffs set, all-star picks announced
BY JOHN DECOSTE
NovaNewsNow.com
The schedule has been set for the first round of the NSSAF Football League playoffs.
The top eight teams in the regular season standings, including all four schools in the most competitive ‘A’ Division, will participate in the Tier 1 playoffs.
The Northeast Kings Titans, in their first season playing at the Tier 1 level, placed sixth overall and will meet third-ranked Citadel High Saturday at 7:30 at Huskies Stadium.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” says Titans co-head coach Wally Archer. “We feel we can play with anyone in Tier 1, and it’s bound to be a great experience playing under the lights.” NKEC played Central Kings at Acadia in its lone night game this season.
Meanwhile, teams finishing eighth through sixteenth in the standings, including all four schools in the ‘D’ division, qualified for the Tier 2 playoffs.
The other three Valley schools, Central Kings, Horton and Avon View, will all compete in the Tier 2 playoffs.
The Gators, who finished fourth in Tier 2, will host fifth-seed J.L. Ilsley in the only NSSAFFL first-round playoff game to be played locally. That game is now scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at Acadia.
Eighth-seed Horton will meet top-ranked C.P. Allen Saturday at 8 p.m. on the Burnside turf, and seventh-ranked Avon View will tangle with second-seed Halifax West Sunday afternoon at 1:30 on the Mainland Commons.
Meanwhile, the NSSAF Football League all-stars and major award winners were announced last Wednesday, with a number of players from Valley schools selected.
NKEC had two players named to the Tier 1 first all-star team and three players who made the second team. Roland Provencal was a first-team all-star on offense at the receiver position, and Jeff Zwicker was a first-team all-star at defensive back.
Titans’ offensive lineman Dakota Hopper, defensive lineman Mike Livingstone and linebacker Isaac Ueffing were all named to the second all-star team for Tier 1.
A total of seven players from Valley schools were picked as all-stars in Tier 2, where only one all-star team was chosen.
The Tier 2 all-stars included offensive lineman Drake Lowthers, defensive lineman Jacob Meisner, linebacker Tyler Doherty and defensive back Shawndell Sampson of Central Kings, Horton linebacker Dougie Gee and defensive lineman Cordell Perry and defensive back Curtis Broussard from Avon View.
Saturday, September 27
Citadel Phoenix downed the Central Kings
The Chronicle-Herald - Metropolitan - 09-27-2008 - 204 words
Mills threw a pair of touchdown passes as the Citadel Phoenix downed the Central Kings Gators 59-7 in NSSAF football action on Friday at Wanderers Grounds. Mills connected with Harrison
Thursday, September 25
Gators improve to 2-1
BY JOHN DECOSTE
jdecoste@kentvilleadvertiser.ca
NovaNewsNow.com
Week three of the NSSAF Football League schedule was kind to the expansion Central Kings Gators, but not as much for the other three Valley teams.
Central Kings improved to 2-1 in its inaugural high school football season with a 24-6 win over Avon View Sept. 21 at Acadia. Leading 7-6 at halftime, the Gators scored 17 unanswered points after the intermission to seal the victory.
Jacob Meisner and Jeremy Shepherd each rushed for a touchdown. Brett Hines returned an interception for a touchdown for the second time this season and Tyler Doherty kicked a field goal and was good on all three converts.
“The kids played well and turned in a good effort on both sides of the ball, especially on defense and in the second half,” said Gators’ head coach Jonathan Ingles, who said he was much happier with the second half performance.
“We’re 2-1, which is an excellent start for an expansion team. I’m very excited with the guys and the work they’ve done so far.”
Central Kings won even without number-one quarterback Chris Alguire, who broke his foot in the Gators’ second game against Horton and will be sidelined four to six weeks.
Scott Benjamin, formerly a defensive lineman, stepped in at quarterback and has played well and Doherty has picked up the slack big-time on defense.
Central Kings was scheduled to play at Citadel High this past Friday. Ingles expected a stern test for his team, but added, “the way our defense has been playing, they will hopefully keep us in the game long enough for us to have a chance to be competitive.”
The Gators will host Sackville High, another tough opponent, Oct. 3 in Wolfville then tangle with NKEC Oct. 10, also at Acadia.
Not as fortunate
NKEC and Horton were not as fortunate in their weekend games. NKEC lost 20-14 to Lockview in a back-and-forth struggle Saturday, Sept. 21 in Canning while Horton lost 24-14 to J.L. Ilsley Sunday, also in Canning.
In their game, NKEC and Lockview were tied 6-6 after one quarter. Lockview led 13-6 at halftime, but the Titans came back to lead 14-13 after three quarters.
Lockview capitalized on a NKEC defensive breakdown to score a 65-yard touchdown on a screen pass play in the final minutes to pull out the win.
Titans quarterback Logan VanBlarcom threw for 230 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both to Roland Provencal.
Defensively, Mike Livingston (six solo and six assisted tackles); Isaac Ueffing (six solo, six assisted); and Peter VanOostrum (five solo, one assisted) all had strong games.
The defeat left NKEC with two losses and one tie in their first three games. “The negative is we’ve lost two straight games we could have won, and probably should have won,” said co-head coach Wally Archer. “The positive is we’re working very hard and we’re seeing some good things, especially from our offense.”
Archer said, “we’ve been in all the games we’ve played, we just haven’t been on the right side of the scoreboard. We know we still have some work to do, but we feel we’re starting to see some results.”
NKEC was scheduled to play J.L. Ilsley this past weekend in Halifax, the first of three straight road games for the Titans (though one of them is against Central Kings at Acadia). The Titans are next at home Oct. 19 against Sir John A. Macdonald Flames.
Horton, on the other hand, took a step backward in their game against J.L. Ilsley Sunday in Canning, at least according to their head coach Alec Hyndman.
“We didn’t play very well,” Hyndman said. Horton’s record dropped to 1-2 with their 24-14 loss. “I’m disappointed,” he said. “We’re better than that.”
Lee Spence scored the only touchdown for the Griffins, who also added a two-point conversion. Dougie Gee kicked a pair of field goals to round out the Horton scoring.
The Griffins were scheduled to play at Sir John A. Macdonald this past Sunday then play Oct. 5 at Halifax West and Oct. 10 at Cole Harbour before returning home to face C.P. Allen Oct. 17 in Wolfville.
Tuesday, September 9
Gators win football opener 17-10 over J. L. Ilsley
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Register
Like Avon View and Horton before them, the Central Kings football Gators have begun their high school football experience on a positive note.
In C.K.’s first-ever high school football game, the Gators topped the J.L. Ilsley Judges, a fellow NSSAF football league expansion team, 17-10 Sept. 6 in Halifax.
Avon View won its inaugural game two years ago against NKEC (in a game that was also the first-ever action for the Titans). Horton edged SAERC in its first game a year ago.
Quarterback Chris Alguire was the story for the Gators Saturday, running for a seven-yard touchdown, kicking the convert and adding three field goals to account for 16 of his team’s 17 points. Tyler Doherty had a punt single to round out the scoring.
Head coach Jonathan Ingles was very pleased with the result.
“It was pretty exciting,” he said Monday. “The kids did very well. We were very proud of them.”
On a rainy afternoon in which “neither team could really throw - though they did a little better job than us,” the Gators held their own on offense and won the game with an inspired defense.
Ingles credited Doherty, who had “an incredible game,” both on defense and special teams, Jeremy Gee, Tom Lutz and Brett Hines as being among the defensive leaders.
In other weekend NSSAFFL action featuring Valley teams, Avon View edged Horton 3-0 in a defensive struggle Sept. 5 in Wolfville, with all of the game’s points coming courtesy of the toe of Avon View punter-kicker Jake Galbraith.
Both teams had some success running the ball, at least in the early going, but the defense, on both sides, was the real story.
NKEC dropped a 22-0 decision to CEC in wet and windy conditions Sept. 7 in Truro in a battle between last season’s provincial Tier 1 and Tier 2 football champions.
According to co-head coach Wally Archer, the NKEC defense “played a whale of a game” in a contest that was much closer than the final score would suggest.
CEC scored a first-quarter touchdown, then added a field goal for a 10-0 lead. NKEC then conceded four safeties (eight points) in an attempt to gain better field position, but the offense had no success moving the ball in the soggy field conditions.
“It was a miserable day for any offense to try and play,” Archer acknowledged. “On the whole, our defense played very well. We didn’t get much of an idea what we have on offense. Hopefully this weekend, the weather will be better and we’ll get a better look.”
This week
• NKEC plays its home opener Sept. 13 at noon in Canning against Cole Harbour.
• Central Kings hosts Horton in the Gators’ home opener Sept. 13 at Acadia (most likely an 8 p.m. start)
• Avon View hosts J.L. Ilsley Saturday at 4 p.m. in Windsor
Saturday, September 6
Central Kings, J.L. Ilsley make football debuts
Central Kings, J.L. Ilsley make football debuts
The Chronicle-Herald - 09-06-2008 - 460 words
Daniel Bonner Sports Reporter - a new high school football season, most teams have questions to answer. The Central Kings Gators, however, will be looking for more answers than most. New to the league this season
Saturday, September 6
Football season kicks off in a big way this weekend
BY JOHN DECOSTE
The Advertiser
NovaNewsNow.com
Football season in the eastern Valley kicks off in a big way this weekend on a number of different fronts and at a number of different levels.
The Atlantic Universities Football Conference opens play with a pair of games. Acadia will host Mount Allison in Halifax Saturday at 12:30 p.m. due to the renovations on Raymond Field, while the Saint Mary’s Huskies travel to St. F.X.
Eventually – hopefully in time for the second scheduled home game Sept. 29 versus SMU – the new artificial surface in Wolfville will be ready. As well, with the installation of enhanced field lighting, there is the potential for the Axemen to play evening games, though with the delay in completion, there likely won’t be any played this season.
Keith Lockwood, a transfer from L.A. Harbor junior college in California, grabbed the number-one quarterback job for the Axemen with an impressive performance in camp. Brady Pimlott and Brian Dowd will back up Lockwood.
Former quarterback James Michener has been shifted to the defensive backfield, both to shore up a position where the Axemen have had a number of losses this year and to keep his athleticism in the lineup. Michener will continue as Acadia’s punter.
The Nova Scotia School Athletic Federation high school football season also gets underway this weekend, with the focus on Horton where the expansion Griffins will play their first-ever game Saturday at 2 against SAERC from Port Hawkesbury.
The Northeast Kings Titans, who made their high school football debut a year ago, open their season on the road, taking on Cole Harbour Sunday at 4:30 p.m. in Burnside. NKEC’s home opener will be in Canning Saturday, Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. against SAERC.
The Titans and Griffins will meet twice, Sept. 23 in Canning and Oct. 7 in Wolfville.
Avon View, the third Valley school in the NSSAFFL, opens its season with a game Thursday evening against Lockview, also scheduled for Burnside at 6 p.m.
Last but certainly not least, the minor football season also begins this weekend with the eleventh annual Gerry Hale jamboree, being played this year at Avon View in Windsor to help kick off the new minor football association in West Hants.
The jamboree will feature eight games on Saturday and six more on Sunday, with the Windsor peewees and bantams both playing Timberlea Saturday at 10 a.m.
The Valley Bulldogs teams will all see action on Sunday, with the peewees playing Bedford at 10 a.m., the bantam Bulldogs beginning defense of their 2006 provincial title at noon, also against Bedford, and the Valley atoms meeting Antigonish at 2 p.m.
This is the first year for atom football in the province, for youngsters aged 10-11. Many of the atom Bulldogs will have played mite football last season.
According to VMFA spokesperson (and bantam Bulldogs head coach) Larry Priestnall, close to 100 youngsters are playing minor football this season – 32 in bantam, 30 in peewee and 35 in atom – an indication of the growing popularity of the sport.
Tuesday, September 2
Valley football set for N.S. school league
BY JOHN DECOSTE
Kings County Register
All Valley high school football teams – including Central Kings, the “new kid on the block” – are ready to give it their best shot for the 2008 season.
NKEC and Avon View are each entering their third year of competition in the provincial high school league; Horton began play a year ago.
At Central Kings, the fledgling Gators may be short on experience but they’re long on enthusiasm, according to head coach Jonathan Ingles, formerly head coach of the Valley bantam Bulldogs, who returns to coaching after taking a year off.
Ingles notes he had “about 31 players” to begin with, but the team “has been picking up one or two a day” as word continues to spread.
“I’m pleased so far,” Ingles said. “We’re not without talent” on a roster that includes a number of former Bulldogs as well as raw rookies.
“Our biggest hole is the lack of an experienced quarterback.” At the same time, he liked what he had seen to that point, and optimistically predicted, “we won’t go winless - that’s a definite promise.”
The Gators are scheduled to play their first league game this Saturday, Sept. 6 in Halifax against J.L. Ilsley, then play their home opener Sept. 13 against Horton, tentatively at Acadia with the time still to be finalized as the football Axemen are at home that day against Laval.
“We’ll be playing our home games at Acadia this season,” Ingles said, though he added, “we’re hoping by next fall to have a field ready here (in Cambridge).” Central Kings also has NKEC, Sackville High and Citadel High on its 2008 schedule.
At Northeast Kings, the defending provincial Tier 2 champion Titans enter year three of competition missing six or seven key players from last year’s team, including Jordan Tibbetts, Alex Sarsfield, Steve Arbuckle and MVP Marco Visentin.
However, as assistant coach and defensive coordinator Wally Archer points out, “due to the success we’ve had the past two years - and especially last year, we’ve had some very good athletes just show up as walk-ons.”
He suggested “our receiving corps should be our strongest ever, and though we’ve had to replace some key people, we had 16 linemen alone show up at camp.”
Archer expects NKEC to again be strong in all facets of the game.
“We have a number of ‘core players’ returning,” including quarterback Logan VanBlarcom and middle linebacker Isaac Ueffing, “who should be the quarterback of our defense.”
The Titans, thanks in large part to their performance last season, have moved up a tier and will generally play tougher opponents, including defending Tier 1 champion CEC (in their opener this weekend in Truro), though Archer noted, “depending on our record, we should be able to compete for either Tier 1 or Tier 2.”
NKEC’s home games will be Sept. 13 against Cole Harbour, Sept. 20 against Lockview, Oct. 18 versus Sir John A. Macdonald and Oct. 25 versus Halifax West.
At Horton, head coach Alec Hyndman is looking for better things this season from his Griffins, who went 1-7 in their first year of competition.
“We’ve only had 28 kids out, but we always pick up more once school starts.”
From what he had seen so far, Hyndman expects Horton to be “much stronger and definitely more competitive” than last season.
“Our goal is to go 4-4 – and, of course, better than that.”
The good news is Horton returns 10 starters on offense, including quarterback Mitch Long; five of six receivers and nine on defense. Lee Spence and Steve Fredericks on offense and Jeremy Griffin and Will Taylor on defense look like players to watch.
Horton’s opener is this Friday, when the Griffins host Avon View at Acadia at 7 p.m. The Griffins will play both Central Kings and Avon View twice (Avon View, which graduated a number of starters from last year’s squad, drops down a tier) and also have Halifax West, Cole Harbour and C.P. Allen on their schedule.
“I’ve already been able to tell from our first couple of practices that we’ll be better. It’s been a nice change from last year, when we literally had to teach some people the game.”