Small but speedy, the St. Thomas More junior Knights are building a case for big and bigger expectations this year.
The junior Knights moved the needle to 5-0 (2-0 in regular season action) with a decisive 35-6 victory over Abbotsford Senior last week.
And its in the way they did it, and the character that has developed, that has the club’s head coach most pleased.
“They are a large team, a lot bigger then we are,” noted head coach Dave Ruzycki of Abbotsford, which includes 6-foot-8 Jeff VerderWerff. “We’ve talked about this as coaches and I think it’s how our boys are approaching the game... They are playing up to their potential and not making many mistakes.”
It began early against Abby, as STM capitalized on its first possession when Michael Simone pulled down a Dario Ciccone pass and dashed 60 yards to the end zone, on just the third play of the game.
In fact, the first four majors were passes, as Ciccone tallied 298 yards through the air – including a 94-yard touchdown to Christian Comuzzi, a 45-yard TD with Kane Ferrara, and a 25-yard toss to Simone. The team’s fifth major was a 12-yard run by Julian Valerio.
On defence, the Knights were led by Sam Steele and his five quarterback sacks, with Daniel Auld contributing three.
Considering nearly two-thirds of his roster have defensive back size – with the speed to match – Ruzycki said what has put them over the top so far is their compete level.
“These kids are buying into everything the coaches are asking them to do,” he noted of the 36 kids who pull on the jersey every game. “They believe in themselves and are working as a team – they are dialled in and want to win.”
It’s the first time the program has gotten off to a 5-0 start since 2011, the season the Knights captured the junior B.C. title.
“They are playing inspired football.”
STM’s next test comes Thursday (3:45 p.m.), when they visit Centennial.
