Page 14 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 83

14 Issue #83 October 2019 www.sportsenergynews.com

Cornwall Wildcats Varsity (U20) and Ontario

Football Conference (OFC) Update

By Molly Kett

he Cornwall Wildcats Varsity
Tteam has become recognizable
across the city, as they have been
competing at this level of football
since 2010.

“This season was our most
successful since 2014,” says Kirby
Camplin. “We finished the 2019
regular season 5-2-1 and in third
place in the Eastern Conference,
and were 1-1 in the playoffs.”
Their first playoff game
(conference semi-final) was against
the Toronto Thunder, winning that
game 20-9. On July 27th, they
then travelled to Barrie to play the
Huronia Stallions in the Eastern
Conference finals, eventually losing
27-0 and ending their season.

“It was a very gratifying season,”
says Camplin. “To be able to
compete against the very best
programs in Ontario is always a
thrill. Cornwall is the smallest (U14) team, and one bantam (U16).
community in Ontario to field
In 2019, the Wildcats are fielding
a team at this level of football.
a bantam program for the first time
Varsity football allows our local
in three seasons. Led by veteran
athletes to play the highest level of coaches Robbie Taillon (head
football available in Ontario. Many
coach), Nick Belmonte (offensive
of our players end up playing at the
coordinator), and Dakota Kennedy
USport, CJFL, or CEGEP level.”
(defensive coordinator).
According to Camplin, there were
“Our bantam team is happy to
many standout players throughout
be back and part of NCAFA,”
the season.
WE LOVE FOOTBALL “Our defence was by far the top says Camplin. “They play an

unit on the team, led by veteran interlocking schedule with NCAFA
and the Quebec-based QBFL
defensive coordinator, Alex
(Quebec Bantam Football League),
Labonte,” says Camplin.
which gives our athletes a variety
Camplin says they will be of programs to play against.”
recruiting for the 2020 OFC varsity The bantam squad is currently
season, and they are actively looking 5-0 and undefeated, ranked one of
for a new head coach, as Camplin the top teams in NCAFA and the
won’t be returning in 2020, but will
still be with the program. QBFL.
“We continue to look forward
The Wildcats field five teams in
NCAFA, which is one of the oldest to seeing this team improve
tackle football leagues in Canada. every week, and hope to see them
challenge for the championship
Joe St. Denis Field, 504 Fourth Street East They have been part of this league once the play-offs begin,” says

Cornwall, Ontario since 2006, and there are a total Camplin. “It’s exciting to have
of 130 athletes competing. There
www.cornwallwildcats.com are two tyke (U10) teams, one bantam football back with Wildcats

mosquito (U12) team, one peewee Football!”