Colts ready to gallop into new season after just missing Prairie championship
Last year began dismally for the Calgary Colts and ultimately turned into one of those Cinderella-like stories — a win shy of a championship.
This time around, Snoop Blokker isn't waiting for the good fairy to show up. His team is taking matters into its own hands, right from the get-go.
“We wanted to make sure we recruited the right core back so we could continue to build on the momentum we ended with,” said Blokker, the second-year head coach of the Prairie Junior Football squad.
“But it's a new season, new challenges, new team. Last year was last year and now it's up to this team to set its own identity and we're excited about that. We feel we're going to compete a lot earlier than we did last year and we'll be a lot more fun to watch as a team, especially at the beginning of the year.”
The Colts have been training for three weeks, in anticipation of Sunday's 2015 opener against Saska- toon, 1 p.m. at McMahon Stadium.
Blokker's optimism stems from the fact he has a number of quality individuals back from last year, including Canadian defensive player of the year, linebacker Jakub Jakoubek. Fellow linebacker Colton Burr also returns, as well as defensive backs Conner Robinson and Dylan Niedermaier.
At quarterback, Calgary has added former University of Regina pivot John Kiesman, a 22-year-old with experience.
“We're really excited about what we did at the quarterback spot,” said Blokker. “(Kiesman) has been outstanding. His leadership has been amazing. We felt we needed to not only improve but mature a little bit and we think we've done a pretty good job with that part as well.
“I'm very pleased right now, No. 1, because of our work ethic. In sports, especially in team sports, as a team you have to reach a certain level of work ethic if you want to win. What we're seeing right now, every night, what the guys have put in the off-season, the work ethic on our team has increased so much and we're really excited about that.”
Also on offence, Xavier Ramsay will regain his spot at running back and Jevon Cottoy is the top receiver.
“On the offensive line, we have a veteran guy like Stephane Hollinger back and in good shape, we've brought in Jordan Kusiek who we feel is probably one of the best O-lineman in the country,” said Blokker. “Those are really key guys who leadership-wise will lead this team in the right direction.
“It all looks good on paper, but at the end of the day, when the whistle blows, we'll find out where we're at.”
Cottoy, Jakoubek and Kusiek have been practising with the Calgary Stampeders this summer, which can be nothing but a huge plus.
“They have done a great job, at least we've heard nothing but positives,” said Blokker. “And their leadership for us is amazing. Those are the guys who set the tempo everyday at practice and we lean on to be big-time leaders.”
The Colts will definitely reach back to last year's experiences to fuel this season's engine, because the confidence they gleaned as a group was critical.
“Confidence, absolutely, but there's a belief,” said Blokker.
“We started last year, I thought our belief was phoney, it was fake. That's that work ethic that brought it to reality. We really started to believe that we could win and win a championship here as the Colts last year.
“It's carried on to this year. It was important to return that core group to keep that belief alive. Right now, every day, there's a belief we're going to win. We're excited to play and we're not afraid to win.”