Joey Payeur
Most football teams have several weeks to get ready for a new season—and a multitude of bodies from which to choose their rosters.
This year’s Muskie squad has had neither. But with the WHSFL season set to get underway here tomorrow, there’s no time for lamenting their misfortune.
With just eight days of training camp under their belts, the black-and-gold will clash with the Kildonan East Reivers in the Currie Division (‘A’) regular-season opener for both teams at 3 p.m. at Fort High.
The Reivers played in the Vidruk Division (‘AA’) for most of last season, but struggled to an 0-7 record while being outscored 302-58.
Kildonan East then dropped into the Currie Division for the Fourth Division playoffs and were crushed 54-7 by the Vincent Massey Vikings (Brandon).
“You can’t take any opponent lightly or for granted,” noted third-year Muskie head coach Mike Cuzzolino.
“We have to come out and execute and play to the best of our abilities to be successful,” he stressed.
“We can’t afford to take plays off,” Cuzzolino added. “We need to play tough, mean football for all four quarters in order to win.
“They won’t just roll over for us,” he remarked. “We need to go out and earn that ‘W.’”
Overconfidence shouldn’t be a problem for a Muskie team that officially went 2-4 during the regular season last year, then were trounced 49-20 by the St. Norbert Celtics in their Fourth Division playoff showdown.
And with the recent labour dispute between the Rainy River District School Board and its high school teachers delaying the start of training camp by more than a week, Cuzzolino knows he’s behind the eight-ball.
It hasn’t helped that, even though about 25 players have signed up to play, an average of only 17 have been out to practice this past week.
“The kids that have come out are good kids and soak up the info we have been teaching them like a sponge,” lauded the coach, who is 4-10 over his first two seasons at the Muskie helm.
“However, I don’t think some of them understand yet how committed and dedicated you need to be to make our program successful,” he added.
“We need everyone at practice every day and we’re not getting that yet.
“I’m hopeful things will turn around,” Cuzzolino said. “But one week ago, we almost didn’t have a season, so I’m thankful to all the kids that have come out.
“I love coaching and I want to continue to grow the sport here and win some football games,” he enthused.
“Well, to be honest, I want to win a lot of football games,” he chuckled.
If that’s going to happen, much of the onus will fall on the shoulders of senior quarterback Brandon Whitecrow, fresh off his appearance with Team Manitoba Silver in the Football Canada Cup in Winnipeg back in July.
Whitecrow’s 1,109 yards passing was third in the Currie Division last season, and he was tied for second in touchdown passes (nine).
Taking care of the ball will be a focal point this year, though, as Whitecrow also threw 10 interceptions, which was second-most in the division.
“I’m looking for consistent play and leadership from him,” Cuzzolino said about his pivot, who will be backed up by Grade 9 freshman Brady Meeks.
“I want Whitecrow to really take control of the offence, and really step up in reading the defensive coverages on the field and limit turnovers.”
Fort High has no shortage of skilled running backs with senior Dougie deBernardeaux and junior Sekina Scheibler offering a formidable duo.
But their production will rely greatly on those along the offensive line, which features three returnees in Jaykob Ryll, Keegan Oliver, and Graham Anderson.
“I would love to see us average around five-six yards per carry,” Cuzzolino said.
“That comes from having a dominant O-line.
“We’re young on the O-line but we have talented, young, aggressive boys,” he added.
“So I’m hoping to see us flourish there.”
The Muskie receiving corps will be led by Cole Kowalski, who led the Currie Division in touchdown catches (seven) while ranking third in receptions (31) and receiving yards (619).
He will be joined out wide by Matt Booth and at times deBernardeaux, along with possibly Damon Nyberg and Serene Whitecrow—younger sister of the quarterback and the lone female on this year’s roster.
“Blocking and route running are our biggest focus areas right now,” Cuzzolino noted.
“Whitecrow can put the ball where it needs to be, so we need to make sure we run crisp routes and our offence is designed with needing receivers to block in order to be successful,” he explained.
“So it’s important that our receivers be able to block.”
Kenton Bowles, who also played with Manitoba Silver along with Whitecrow and Scheibler, will see a ton of action both on the offensive line and in his usual role as a defensive lineman/linebacker.
And he won’t be alone in that regard.
“Lots of our vets will be relied on to play both ways,” conceded Cuzzolino, who listed Bowles, Scheibler, the older Whitecrow, deBernardeaux, Kowalski, Anderson, and Nyberg in that category.
“With a small team, we’re going to rely heavily on these guys to really step up for us,” he said.
Cuzzolino is comfortable with his secondary with Booth, deBernardeaux, Nyberg, and Whitecrow trying their hands back there, along with sophomore Hunter Wagner.
“We’re looking for him [Wagner] to step up,” he noted.
“He was a very young and raw Grade 9 and very dedicated,” Cuzzolino lauded. “I don’t think he missed a practice.
“So we’re looking to see what he will be capable of.”
The Muskies’ kicking game, meanwhile, will have a brand-new look with Cam Lidkea opting not to return this season.
Kowalski has been pegged to handle the punting chores at this point, with deBernardeaux handling field goals and kick-offs.
Those two also will be prime players in the return game, along with Booth and Scheibler.
Cuzzolino said the team’s adversity hasn’t shaken his confidence for this season.
“I haven’t met a team yet that is physically just dominant over us,” he stressed.
“We could win every game,” he added. “It’s a matter of execution and playing tough every play.”
