Mitch Calvert
Only two more sleeps remain.
The long-awaited return of Muskie football officially opens on Friday with a road battle against the Kenora Broncos.
Camp has been ongoing for several weeks now, and a number of emerging seniors will be asked to lead what is shaping up to be a young squad overall.
Quarterback Dan Brunetta will be entering his second year at the helm of the offence after an up-and-down rookie campaign last fall.
“I think it was Matt DePiero who said it the best in practice the other day: ‘Dan just looks more like a quarterback now,’” Muskie offensive coordinator Andrew George said. “He’s throwing nicer balls more consistently and his experience has definitely helped him with the offence.
“Everyone can tell he spent all offseason running and working out,” George continued. “He’s one of our most well-conditioned players and better athletes.
“His strength is helping with his accuracy,” George lauded. “You have to have a strong arm to play Canadian football; a five-yard out pattern might require you to throw 30 yards on a rope.
“Every now and then his feet get away from him and the ball flutters, but that’s pretty typical of a kid his age and with his experience,” George noted. “I’m hoping he takes the next step this season and the game slows down for him.”
Brunetta is joined by fellow veterans Tyler Abma, Andre Valenzuela, Britt Green, Justin Perreault, and Donny Krishka in the team’s core group of experienced players.
“I don’t really look at these guys for being vocal leaders, whether they are or aren’t doesn’t concern me,” George said. “Some teams need a vocal leader and some teams don’t, I’m not sure what type of team we are yet.
“But I do know we need some of the above guys to be dependable play-makers, and to raise the level of play for the guys around them,” George stressed. “We’re seeing flashes of that here and there in practice, but we are still largely inconsistent, which is expected at this time of year.
“I’m looking for the leaders to be rocks on the team [Friday],” George added.
Valenzuela said they are up for that challenge.
“It’s a big responsibility to keep everyone in line so they don’t screw around, but we’re excited to get out there,” Valenzuela noted. “I think we’re capable of lots, but we’ve just got to get everything right so we know what to do at certain times.”
Valenzuela is moving from receiver to running back for this season, creating a strong one-two-three punch between himself, Ian Grant and Abma in the backfield.
“It’s good, I don’t mind it, and I’ll get more playing time and touch the ball a bit more,” Valenzuela said. “I know all the plays and feel comfortable out there, and should be safe with my fullback in front of me [Grant].”
The re-established junior Muskie ‘B’ program should produce a bumper crop of talent in future seasons, but this year has seen an emergence of Grade 11 players poised to contribute with the senior team.
“Brad McDonald is going to be play important roles on both sides of the ball, same with Lucas Hudson, especially with the O-line,” George noted. “Cody Hunsperger, once healthy [broken hand], should contribute,” George added. “I don’t think we have any Grade 9s or 10s that will contribute right off the bat, but some first-year guys like Robin Simmons [Grade 11 receiver] and Josh Wilson, who will play some slot.”
After dominating the old NorWOSSA circuit in the 1990s, the Muskies have had trouble adjusting to the higher level of competition since joining the Winnipeg High School Football League in 2001.
The black-and-gold struggled to a 2-5 record last year in the Tier II Kas Vidruk Division, and will need to get off to a good start and build momentum through the coming weeks.
That starts Friday in Kenora against the Broncos, a team the Muskies picked up a win against last season.
The Broncos lost to the Dryden Eagles (relegated to the ‘A’ division this season) 12-7 in an exhibition meeting last month.
The black-and-gold have their home-opener next Friday (Sept. 18) against the Vincent Massey Trojans of Winnipeg (all home games start at 3 p.m.), then they go on the road Sept. 25 against the River East Kodiaks.
Week 4 has the Muskies on the road again versus the Maples Marauders on Oct 1.
Fort High beat the Marauders last season for their only other victory.
The home team returns to host Miles Mac on Oct. 9, and then goes back to Winnipeg to face Tec Voc the following week (Oct. 16).
Fort High hosts Portage in their regular-season finale on Oct. 24.
The quarter-finals go the following week (Oct. 29-30), with the semi-finals scheduled for the first week of November.
Nov. 13 is the date set for the championship bowl games at Canad Inns Stadium, with the Tier II “Free Press Bowl” on the docket at 5 p.m.
The Kas Vidruk Division has ballooned to include 13 teams, with the Muskies now in the East Conference with the Broncos, Miles Mac Buckeyes, Portage Trojans, River East Kodiaks, and Vincent Massey Trojans (Winnipeg).
The West Conference includes the Crocus Plains Plainsmen (Brandon, Mb.), Grant Park Pirates, Maples Marauders, Neelin Spartans (Brandon), St. Paul’s Crusaders 2, Tec Voc Hornets, and Vincent Massey Vikings (Brandon).
