Story by Jeff Gard/Total Sports Quinte
The Centennial Secondary School Chargers senior boys football team wrapped up its season Monday as it hosted the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations Eastern Bowl against the Frontenac Falcons from Kingston.
While the Chargers were optimistic about their chances, it was the Falcons who soared to a 37-7 at Mary Anne Sills Park in Belleville.
“We were out-matched today, quite honestly,” said Centennial coach Joe DiCresce. “They were a really great team, well-coached and they honestly beat us in every aspect of the game. We unfortunately turned over the ball four or five times and had very few answers for them.”
There were plenty of positives for the Charges, including the fact they won the Bay of Quinte and Central Ontario Secondary School Athletics championships had the opportunity to compete in an OFSAA game.
“When we started our training camp in late August, it was touch and go whether there would even be a local season,” DiCresce said, noting the season started late as the local school board took a cautious approach. “To be playing football on the brink of December is pretty awesome.”
On Monday, the Chargers trailed 13-0 at the half before star running back Mason Duvall scored a touchdown in the third quarter.
“He’s an outstanding back for us,” DiCresce said, noting Duvall has been recruited to play football at Guelph University starting next season.
Members of the Centennial Chargers senior boys football team were: Braedon Bergeron (DT), Aron Brooks (LB), Jett Brown (G), Robert Bryden (LB), Jordan Burrows (G), Nathan Cooke (CB), Mason Cruickshank (T), Jack Deacon (RB), Braden Doucette (C), Mason Duvall (RB), Coleman Farvolden (E), Ethan Geen (C), Nathan Graves (DT), Peter Holt (S), David Jenkinson (FB), Joe Kitchener (DE), Nathan Kritzer (DT), Christian LaChappelle (DT), Carter Lee (CB), Rowan Lindsay (T), Mike Mackenzie (LB), Owen McCallum (E), Jonah Nuttley (G), Nicholas Peeling (T), Nathan Percy (QB), Matthew Quance (HB), Liam Reid (SB), Cameron Ross (DE), Michael Salmon (HB), Declan Scea (T), Shawn Seward (HB), Carter Seymour (SB), Devan Shorey (DE), Tristan Sicotte (CB), Evan Symons (LB), Devin Thompson (DT), Tyson Walsh (CB), Dustin Young (SB) and Lukas DeRoo (T).
“I would say it’s the balance of the team that was good and a particularly strong defence,” DiCresce said.
While the team was hoping for a better showing in the Eastern Bowl, DiCresce said prior to missing a season of football the majority of these players won two COSSA championships as junior athletes.
“That group has been a really exceptional team for us,” DiCresce remarked.
