Jacob Cook and his classmates in Grade 9 and 10 will be front and centre as the Holy Cross football program looks to build its way out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Like Saint Michael and Lakeshore Catholic, Holy Cross will field only a junior football program this year and will play in a league that also includes Saint Paul and Notre Dame.
Cook isn’t going to let never having played football before stop him from suiting up for the Raiders.
“I am in Grade 9 so I want to meet some new friends and I always loved watching the NFL so I figured I would give it a shot,” he said.
He arrived in training camp ready for action.
“During the pandemic, I tried to get outside and play as much lacrosse as I can.”
Cook feels his lacrosse experience should help him adjust to the contact in football.
“Oh yeah, I am ready,” he said, with a laugh.
At 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, his size makes him a lineman at the junior level.
“I’m in. I’ve got to be the guy,” he said.
Cook is happy to work in the trenches for his team.
“I feel like we get more glory. If it wasn’t for us, we wouldn’t be able to keep the quarterback safe. So I feel like our jobs are super important.”
Getting used to football hasn’t been easy.
“I feel like the most difficult thing is definitely learning everything. You have to memorize a lot of stuff but I think it’s a perfect opportunity to get together and create some bonds.
He is excited for his team’s season which begins with a road game against Lakeshore Catholic on Oct. 6.
“I am looking forward to grow with these guys and maybe winning a championship or two.”
Helping head coach Gerry DiSanto with the team are Brian Lostrocco, Mike Sirotnik, Corey Verkuyl and Jim Craig.
“We are happy to be back to normal,” DiSanto said. “We have 30 kids in our junior program and we are just going junior right now. We’re just building back the program because of the COVID lapse.”
Most of the senior-aged football players had graduated and running a senior program just wasn’t possible.
“We had maybe nine guys and that was it. That’s not enough to create a senior team,” DiSanto said.
He is OK with the numbers of players he has trying out for the junior team but is still hoping for more.
“We will probably get some more bodies this week so we’re getting off to a good start.”
The players showing up for practice have an excellent attitude and lots of commitment.
“Right now yes but let’s see how the season goes,” DiSanto said. “So many kids haven’t played football or even been in organized sports for over two years so it’s a big step. We’re gonna see what happens.”
The kids are obviously excited and the Holy Cross coach staff is looking forward to the season.
“Let’s just get through the year, give the kids a great experience and build off this year for next year,” DiSanto said.
The goal for this year is obvious.
“We would like to get back to varsity but right now we’re just going to take it one day at a time and we’ll just enjoy the journey with these kids,” DiSanto said.