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As he has every year since becoming the starting quarterback in 2021, Steven Sola once again helped his team win a city high school football championship this fall.

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This year, however, the quick-footed QB knew full well he had to bring his teammates along as the Lo-Ellen Park Knights graduated an overwhelming majority of their starters after three rounds last November.

“When I was in 10th grade, guys like Carter Will, Liam Conlin — all those guys were running plays, setting up the offense, because we were understaffed (in coaching),” Sola said, shortly after earned game MVP honors as the Knights beat the Confederate Chargers 28-22 at a packed James Jerome Sports Complex Friday night.

“This year I was taking on that coaching role, helping to develop guys at different positions, helping to develop the playbook,” Sola added. “I took on this role, not only as a leader, but also as a coach. »

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With head coach Alex Vendramin multitasking all over the court, the help has been welcome as the Knights have done things a little differently in 2024 – in more ways than one.

“After the first week, with a first-degree shoulder separation, it was difficult for me to throw the ball,” Sola admitted.

Enter Noah Parsons, who stepped in at the pivot and allowed Vendramin to rest his starting QB at times and involve him both offensively and defensively in more unconventional ways — at least by quarterback standards.

“I felt good enough to participate, my shoulder was good, but you have to be a little hesitant, especially on defense,” noted Sola, senior league MVP in 2023, with announcements for 2024 expected in the next weeks. . “If I go in and make those tackles, I can’t lead with that right shoulder.”

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Led by two touchdown receptions from Jack Centis, another from Byron Nelson and a short run from Max Arnold, the Knights turned to standout receiver Quin Mazzuchin a little more strategically, with Sola leading the offense .

“With the way our offense works, kind of scrambling drills with players going all over the place, you can only keep it going for so long,” Sola said. “I watched film for hours before this game and noticed they were terrified of Mazzuchin – and they should be. You have to have two guys on him otherwise he’s going to make a play.

“But it allowed a lot of guys to open up and play. Jack, Byron on quick little takedowns, just passing the ball. And once those linebackers take a step back, Max Arnold can run it for days.

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The Confederacy opened the scoring when King David Igiehon turned the corner and raced 63 yards on the opening possession, with Braedan Beggs also adding a touchdown, a convert and a red, the Knights led 22-13 at mid -time.

Centis’ second major, combined with the Lo-Ellen defense’s ability to stop long Chargers drives, yielded Igiehon’s second score on a 47-yard punt return on the final play of the game , essentially inconsequential.

“We came into the film room, we came out to practice, we lined up and got our stuff ready,” noted defensive back Niki Sola. “We put a lot of hours into this.”

The Knights are scheduled to travel to Sault Ste. Marie next weekend to face Korah Colts, 43-13 winners over St. Mary’s Knights in the senior final at Lock City, with Niki Sola fully aware of the challenge the home side will face.

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“We just have to keep working, moving hard, every week, every day – and studying,” he said. “It’s a bit like school: football school.”

Junior Knights Floor Maps

For 2024 at least, Lo-Ellen Park can lay claim to being the football school as it came away victorious thanks to a 27-6 victory by the Junior Knights over the St. Charles College Cardinals a night earlier.

Running back Levi Blouin rushed for three touchdowns and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player as Lo-Ellen bounced back after needing a last-second field goal to past the Lively Hawks in the semifinals , after posting a 5-0 mark in the regular season.

“We came into that game a little cocky,” recalled middle linebacker Connor Monahan, who teamed up with Mikko Leinela, Caleb Middaugh, Hudson Leblanc and Noah Skrobot to make life difficult for SCC quarterback Nolan Larche and company in the championship affair.

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“People were laughing, not paying attention and this match showed us that this is football and anything can happen.”

Named team captain this year, Monahan is hard to miss, constantly involved in the game, a testament to the training he received playing Joe MacDonald Youth Football in Grade 8 and then the Sudbury Junior Spartans this year. summer there and with the Lo-Ellen senior team. last year, as the Knights only re-emerged with a junior entry this fall.

“Joe Mac taught me all the basics and rules of football,” Monahan said. “Playing on the senior team, I was basically a bench warmer – but in practice I could get reps and I had people teaching me (like 2023 star linebacker Michael McTiernan). This year I was able to share what I know with the new children.

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While Byron Marshall completed the game-winning scoring with a pick-six (Nolan Larche was the Cardinals’ TD), Lo-Ellen coaches Harley Laalo and Frank Rocca helped the Knights win their first junior football banner since 1984, with Rocca, a former CFL player, having enjoyed success with the St. Benedict Bears senior team.

“He’s the best coach, always supportive,” Monahan said. “When we make a mistake, he tells us what to fix. He is always there for us.

Lo-Ellen juniors will join seniors in making the trip to Sault Ste. Marie, but with no North Bay entry at this level, the Junior Knights and their opponents will face off with a NOSSA banner on the line next Saturday.

Randy Pascal is Sudbury’s sports guy. You can read his columns regularly in the Sudbury Star.

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