The Algonquin Barons are preparing to pack their bags and travel west to participate in the NOSSA Senior Boys Football Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The Barons will meet up with the Sault Ste. Marie champion, Korah Colts, who captured the title on October 30 in the Soo as they knocked off the Superior Heights Steelhawks 27-15.
See related: Barons defeat Bears to take NDA crown
Meantime the Barons are coming off a memorable 24-3 victory over the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Bears last Saturday.
Ryan Desbiens, the Barons' head coach, is looking forward to the challenge and realizes a key component will be stopping the Colts run game and star running back Michael Nicholetta.
"Defensively we need to be disciplined, not miss tackles and contain their running back Nicoletta," said Desbiens.
"The kid is a stud."
Offensively, the Barons will be led by quarterback Andrew Robillard and receiver James McGill, who was named the final MVP. The two connected for a pair of touchdowns against the Bears last weekend.
"Offensively we’ll have to be efficient and sustain drives and minimize miscues like dropped balls and self-inflicted penalties like illegal procedure," said Desbiens.
Desbiens says the team wants to make the most of the opportunity as they are still savouring an NDA championship that was a long time coming.
"No one has accomplished this at ESCA since 1981," noted Desbiens.
"We’ve had sustained success at junior these past 15 years, but senior always seemed to come up short. We’ve been close a few times in the past 10 years, so to finally win the big one is unbelievably rewarding, almost surreal."
The Barons would love to add a NOSSA championship alongside this memorable year for the school.
Kick-off takes place at 1 p.m. in Sault Ste. Marie.
