The smack of the pads can be heard at H. Murray Smith Centennial Park as local football players are getting prepared for the season.
The North Star Wolves have been on the field preparing for the 2024 WECSSAA high school football season as the first week of training camp has wrapped up with the second and final week ongoing.
Wolves head coach Joel Charron stated he liked a lot of what he was witnessing from the players.
“I’m really happy,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of kids out.”
There was an average of about 35 students per day that participated in the camp with Charron indicating that number could grow.
Charron said he is still being contacted by parents wanting to know if they can have their kids go out for the football team.
The Wolves may have to borrow equipment from other organizations, he added, but Charron viewed that as a good problem to have.
“I’m seeing a lot of raw talent out here,” said Charron. “We just have to coach them up.”
Charron said the players “want to be part of something bigger than themselves” and the coaching staff is working them hard to get them ready for the season.
“Everyone is working really, really hard,” he said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the kids.”
Guest speakers have also been brought in with more to come this week.
Charron said that allows players to gain more knowledge and hear a different voice as they prepare for the regular season.
The Wolves qualified for and won the Hogan’s Printing/Penalty Box Bowl last November, one of three bowl games in the WECSSAA Tier 2 division.
The core group of that team is back this season, with Charron estimating there were less than ten players that graduated.
“We’ve got a lot back,” he said. “We’ve got a majority of the team back from last year.”
The older players are able to assist the newcomers and get them up to speed on how to play football, he pointed out.
Charron added they want to build on what they did one year ago.
“We want to make it to a bowl game,” he said. “We think we can make some noise in Tier 2.”
The Amherstburg community has rallied behind the team, helped with sponsorships and contributed other funds necessary to run the program. That has not gone unnoticed.
“This community really gets behind the team,” said Charron. “We’re hoping to give the community something to watch this year.”
The schedule has yet to be finalized as league meetings still have to happen. The regular season is expected to start in mid-September.
Wolves’ football players preparing for upcoming WECSSAA season
By Ron Giofu
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