With 35 Howe Sound Secondary School football players suiting up for spring training this week, head coach Rob Ryan said the Sounders are on their way to an even better season than last year when they went undefeated in the regular season.
"We had a good season last year. At this point last year we had about 23 or 25 players and right now I'm already at 35," said the long-time Gordon Sturtridge League football coach.
"It's the biggest roster I've seen for Howe Sound in a long, long time. It was a little bit challenging having all those bodies, trying to keep everyone happy, but on the other side of the coin it certainly provided us with more success on the field, and this year's looking as good if not better."
With about 60 per cent of last year's team returning to the field, Ryan said the club is in a good position for the upcoming season.
"I think we're the only school in the province that's got our entire offensive backfield coming back and they led the province in rushing yards last year."
Ryan said he anticipates a better passing game, as well as reliable running back performances.
"We have some of the better running backs in the province so we anticipate that portion of our game to do well."
With the help of a quarterback clinic, quarterback Nolan Prevost is expected to improve on his impressive first-year performance.
"He did really well at that position for a first-year player," said Ryan.
Ryan also expects the 2008/2009 lineman of the year Raffy Guda and rookie of the year Ryan Marquette to shine this season.
Since a few offensive linemen aren't returning and another couple are hoping to move to defence, the Sounders might lack in linemen this season, but Ryan hopes to fill the gap with new players and some shuffling.
"This year, it all boils down to how good your line play is in football."
The season will also depend on the performance of the newcomers, he said.
"It will depend on how well some of the new guys step up and how well they do on the line."
Most of the six-person coaching staff has also returned for a second year including Jim Errington as the defensive co-ordinator and Herc Davis as the receiver coach.
Volunteers or potential players are invited to joining in a spring training practice at Howe Sound Secondary School, which happens from 6 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the end of May with an additional practice on Monday, May 24.
The Tier II Varsity team is scheduled to play the first tournament of the season in Nanaimo on Friday, May 28. Practices for the regular season will fire up in mid-August with games starting in September.
Ryan said local Canadian Football League player Joe Eppele usually stops by to help out with a practice in the fall and hopes that the recently drafted Toronto Argonauts player will have time to do so this season.
The team could still use a quarterback coach and an offensive line coach. Team hopefuls and coaches can reach Ryan at 604-898-9785.
Football players too young to join the Sounders can join a community team through the Gordon Sturtridge Football League by visiting www.gslfootball.ca.
