Bantam AAA Cougars go from worst to first

Second-year bantam players tend to be a lot more comfortable within their environment.

They’re also a little wiser and pick up instructions easier. But most importantly, they are often a lot stronger.

Nowhere has proof of this been more evident this year than in the case of the bantam AAA Lakeshore Cougars, a team that went a disappointing 1-9 last season in the Quebec Bantam Football League’s Earl De La Perralle Division, only to turn it all around this year and go undefeated at 8-1-1, finishing in first place in the same middle division. As a result, they will not only move up to the top flight Bill Allan Division next season, but will also play in the upcoming Allan Division playoffs.

“The big difference between last year and this year has been the maturity of our second-year players,” said Cougars head coach Dave Allen, who has certainly had his share of good and bad teams during his long tenure as a volunteer coach with Lakeshore football. “The kids all came back bigger, in better shape, and we had a great winter session. They re-committed and did a better job. That is not to say the 10 first-year graduating peewees haven’t contributed, because they have. But it’s been the veterans who have led the way.”

Two of those have been quarterback Alex Scodras and tailback Jason Brown. The latter has come into his own this year, slashing his way to tons of yardage on the ground while racking up 17 touchdowns heading into last Sunday’s season finale against the St. Bruno Barons.

“This team is not just me,” said Brown, a multi-sport athlete who also plays house-league hockey for Lakeshore, rep lacrosse with the West Island Lacrosse Association and high-school rugby for St. Thomas. “Everyone has contributed, including my offensive line and our overall defence.”

Scodras, also a multi-sport athlete who plays inter-city hockey and baseball pointed towards leadership among several players as a key reason for the team’s resurgence.

“Some players had to step up, and they did,” he said. “We have also just worked better as a team. Last year, too many guys played for themselves. This year, we’re a unit.”

Scodras, Brown and the rest of the Cougars will play the St. Leonard Cougars this Saturday at Hébert Stadium in a quarter-final matchup.