OSFL is Back! Get set with the most comprehensive 2026 Season Preview you’ll find anywhere.
As the countdown to the 2026 season continues, Saultsports is proud to launch its weekly player preview series featuring the Sault Sabercats. Each week, we’ll spotlight a coach’s player selection every week, giving fans an inside look at the talent and personalities set to take the field in the Ontario Summer Football League. The coverage will continue throughout the week with dedicated features on U18 players every Tuesday and U16 standouts every Thursday, building excitement and showcasing the depth of the Sabercats program heading into the new season.
Name: Ashton Neufeld
Number: 55
High School: St Mary’s College Grade 10 going into rade 11 in the fall of 2026)
Position: LB
Season are you entering with Sabercats?
Second year
Why is summer football so important to you?
Football is my passion and summer football gives me a chance to compete against competition from around the province and it gives me an opportunity to showcase myself outside of the Sault.
What are your personal and team-oriented goals for the upcoming 2026 OSFL season?
When we first met as a team the first thing coach Monico said was that we were going for the championship this year and I could tell by the energy of the others that they really wanted to win. Personally my goal is to be one of the most dominant and feared linebackers in the league.
What are you most looking forward to playing this season for the Sabercats?
Last year I played cornerback for the sabercats so I’m looking forward to playing linebacker against multiple different teams and their offensive schemes because not only will it be my first year playing linebacker for summer football but I also find it pretty cool or fun to watch film and learn different offenses and then adapt to them.
For anyone that is not familiar with your play style, how would you describe yourself as a player?
I would describe myself as a smart linebacker who can stop the run and lay big hits because of my frame and strength but can also drop back into coverage because of my speed and agility.
Who is your biggest football role model? Could be a coach, teammate and why?
My biggest football role model is coach Cady. He has coached me for multiple years and taught me most of what I know. But the reason he’s a role model to me is the passion and attitude he brings to football he hates to lose even in practice so I think that’s what makes him my role model. A couple other coaches who I look up to for their knowledge and passion for the sport are coach Hayes, coach DiPasquale and coach Boniferro.
How do you stay motivated and focused during a game or practice?
I think the main way I stay motivated or focused while playing football is just my passion for the sport and how I pride myself on being a hardworking person. But I also think my teammates hold me accountable for example, I think me and Luke Cady hold each other to high standards no matter what the circumstances are and I think that helps in keeping me focused.
What do you think makes a great leader on the football field?
I think a great leader needs to be someone who will hold his teammates accountable at all times but they still have patience. They keep the team to a certain standard but they still have patience and they don’t yell and get mad at their teammates. I also think a leader needs to lead by example because if you don’t, no one will respect you.
What is your greatest accomplishment as a football player?
My greatest accomplishment as a football player was when we beat korah for the first time in multiple years and that game I played the best game of my life. After watching the film someone told me I had over 20 tackles and 1 forced fumble. I think it was my most complete game of all time because I was making plays the whole time.
What makes you the best candidate for this position that the coaches have asked you to play?
We still don’t have any positions set in stone yet but I’m planning on playing middle linebacker. This is what I played in the fall and I think my film shows that I am very capable of playing that position. But middle linebackers are normally the runs who are making sure everyone on defense knows what they’re doing and is where they’re supposed to be so I think it needs to be someone who is a smart football player and someone who has a good understanding of football and someone who watches film a lot. I think I check all those boxes and that’s what makes me fit for the job.
What do you think is the most important aspect of being a member of a team?
I think the most important aspect of being a team member is being bought into the team. Which consists of knowing what your job is and executing it. We have 12 people on each side of the ball on the field at all times so if one person messes up their job the rest of the system collapses. To know your job you need to be studying film, studying your playbook and whatever else your coach has given you. All of these things need to happen off of the field at home that takes commitment and discipline.
Finally, what do you think is the most important quality for a football player to possess compared to other sports?
I think discipline is extremely important in football. It’s still important in other sports but I think it’s particularly important in football. I’m not talking about not taking penalties although that is important in talking about having discipline to the system. The reason I say this is because in football there are so many moving parts you won’t always be in the action, on offence you won’t always be getting the ball you need to block sometimes. On defense you won’t always make the tackle or break up the pass. Sometimes you need to occupy a block or fill a gap where the ball carrier isn’t going. So you need to be disciplined and be able to do all the other necessary things before you can get the ball or make the tackle.
