On Saturday, September 13th, the 2023 Canadian Junior Football League National Champions, the St Clair Saints come into Sault Ste Marie, Ontario with a 5-0 undefeated record to face the fourth place (2-3) Sault College Cougars at Rocky DiPietro Field with five players from Sault Ste Marie on their 2025 current roster that includes Brandon Vecchio, Nate Carter, Nick Carter, Cian Derbowka, and Seamus Parlow.
The biggest key to St Clair’s success is commitment to the process. It’s not a one year thing, it’s built over time and it’s built around continuity of their coaching staff which has built a culture of winning and doing things the right way here. It’s a standard of excellence that they refer to as the ‘Gold Standard’. That certainly doesn’t guarantee winning, but it does guarantee that you will have the opportunity to win.
Cougar linebacker Grant Mathewson told Saultsports that “I’m excited to show the league what the Cougars are all about. I want them to know we aint messing around, what sault football is all about. Getting to play against my former teammates is just gonna make me play even harder. I want St Clair leaving the Sault wondering what the hell just happened. We’re gonna bring everything we got to the damn table and execute like no team has before. People think this game is already decided but let me tell you no ones ready for the outcome of this game. Can’t wait to step on the field Saturday at 1:00 p.m with my brothers and put everything we got on the line.”
Saints’ coach Mike LaChance told Saultsports that “I see a team that is tough, which is a reflection of the Sault itself. A tough, blue collar town much like Windsor. When you are a tough team it gives you the chance to compete and win. I have been impressed with the special teams that the Cougars have. A very high end return game with athletes and really strong cover teams as well.”
Sault College receiver Jaidan Trudeau added “I am just excited to play the best competition in the league right now, they have a fantastic program. All or most of my former teammates on St Clair I’ve played football with since I was nine years old and won championships together at all levels. But come at 1:00 p.m Saturday, September 13th they’ll just be another opponent and an opportunity to showcase the talent and grit of our newly founded program.”
Lachance also added that “I am sure it means a lot to kids to go home but we have kids from all over Ontario and Canada for that matter. Regardless of the city we play in we will have several kids who grew up nearby so this game is no different. The prep is exactly the same as it is when we go to Hamilton, Toronto, London or Ottawa. The Win only counts as one Win so there is no special meaning to it at all. Just a business trip.”
“I think it’s obvious that we have the hardest schedule in the OFC. Whether that was planned or just the way it happened, I am not sure. One thing I do know, we love challenges and three long road trips in the same season will help galvanize what we have our sites set on this season. It has made us stronger and this trip will be a challenge that we look forward to. It’s another opportunity to grow as a team, said LaChance.”
“The grass field looked sloppy on film. I was speaking with the London Beefeaters coaches about it and it certainly looks like a challenge. Talent wise, we focus on the Sault College running game. They run the ball extremely well with a kid we are very familiar with. Sam has had a fantastic season so far and we will be locked in on that part of the game. Defensively they play hard and they play physical football. We will have to match that effort on Saturday and see how it plays out. Special teams have been special for both teams so we look forward to that challenge as well,” added LaChance.
