Mark Robertson is optimistic as his NDA senior football team prepares for its season opener on Friday afternoon at West Ferris.
The Trojans were ousted 22-0 in the NDA senior football semi-final last year by the Algonquin Barons.
Mark Robertson, the head coach of the Trojans senior football team says they will be led offensively by NDA all-star Carter Amond.
"He's he's our fifth-year tailback, so we'll look to him to be a weapon on the ground for sure," said Robertson. "Riley O'Byrne was an all-star linebacker last year, so we'll look to him for some leadership as well, too. We have got a solid linebacking corps, we think, and a solid receiving core. So I think those are going to be our strengths."
The Trojans will host the St. Joseph-Scollard Hall Bears, the defending NDA champions who opened the season Friday with a loss at the hands of the Algonquin Barons in convincing fashion 42-19.
"We are a young team, with only a handful of fifth-year guys back this year," admitted Robertson about his team.
"So, the league was super competitive last year, some very close games, so I expect more of the same. This year is going to be a dogfight. And I think special teams will be important. And just old adages, don't turn the football over. And you know, that's going to be key."
The league is broken down into three teams again in 2024 which sets up a very tight four-game regular season.
Junior optimism
While the NDA senior loop will only include a trio of teams, the NDA junior circuit is expanding to include teams from both Franco-Cite and Chippewa.
That is good news for the future of NDA football in the area.
" I think it's amazing that Franco and Chippewa are back. That's very good news for the health of the league," said Robertson.
"And then, you know, hopefully, the bug catches in those schools, and they can have two programs at the schools, like a junior and a senior program, that would be ideal."
