War of words on gridiron
Ahead of today’s OFC playoff showdown, Peterborough Wolverines varsity head coach denies not shaking hands with Sudbury Gladiators
Peterborough Wolverines senior varsity coach denies Sudbury coach’s contention that he wouldn’t shake hands.
Peter borough Varsity Wolverines head coach John Parkes says any bad blood between his team and the Sudbury Gladiators is fabricated by their opponent’s head coach.
On the eve of the teams’ Ontario Football Conference Ramsay Division semifinal Gladiators head coach Aaron Rehel accused the Wolverines of refusing to shake hands with Sudbury coaches before their week three game and Parkes of yelling at his players during the game.
The Wolverines (6-0) host Sudbury (2-3-1) at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Thomas A. Stewart Athletic Field. The junior varsity Wolverines, also 6-0, also host Sudbury at 2 p.m.
Rehel told Sudbury Star contributor Keith Dempsey the visiting Wolverines didn’t shake hands with Gladiators coaches prior to their game, won 32-14 by Peterborough.
“That’s standard practice, to shake hands with the coaching staff,” Rehel said. “I looked over at him (Parkes) and he said, ‘we’re playing your game now. This is how it’s going to be.’”
Parkes said he laughed when he read the article online Thursday night because it never happened.
“I was caught off guard,” Parkes said. “It seems like he was trying to build something out of nothing, maybe, to get some momentum for his team.
“Our captains go up and shake hands with their captains and then they come back to start the game,” Parkes said. “That’s what we’ve always done. As many teams in North America do.”
During the game, Rehel alleges Parkes kept calling the Gladiators a dirty team, while shouting at Gladiators players.
“I look at my players as almost my sons,” Rehel said. “When an adult starts talking to the kids on my team as if he’s a player, talking dirty, chirping my kids, I get slighted by it. I let the kids play, I let them do the talking and let the adults be the adults. That’s the expectations I have from coaching staffs. I was hoping to see that that game, but I didn’t. That’s OK. That’s how he wants to coach and that’s fine. Leave my kids out of it, coach your kids and don’t talk to mine.
“I don’t like adults when they’re not adults.”
Parkes said it’s simply not true and he believes Rehel is trying to fabricate some kind of energy for his team.
“I wish him all the best. I think they have a ton of talent. Maybe over the past two weeks he’s watched a little too much (Floyd) Money Mayweather and (Connor) McGregor head-to-heads and it’s amped him up.”
During the post-game handshakes, Rehel says Parkes ripped into him and the two exchanged a quick heated conversation.
“There’s a reason why I don’t like that team,” Rehel said.
Parkes said Rehel refused to shake his hand.
“Him and I had words at the end of the game,” Parkes said, “but it was more the fact his players were unruly at times but the refs handled it. They had some players ejected from the game and served suspensions.”
Rehel said his team once had a similar rivalry with the Toronto Jr. Argos before they earned the Argos respect by beating them. Now he’s friends with those coaches and expects the same can happen with Peterborough. Last year Sudbury beat the Wolverines in the semifinals.
“That’s the best way to put somebody in their place, to beat them and say, ‘now what?’” said Rehel.
Parkes said he’s always respected Rehel and his teams.
“We lost to them last year and I was nothing but respectful. I’ve never considered myself to be a poor sport. I’ve always shaken the hand of my opponent,” Parkes said.
He said he expects the pre-game controversy to have no effect on the game. His squad has put in the work and is prepared to play.
“At the end of the day it really comes down to what happens on the field,” Parkes said. “I hope they have a safe trip down. I’m expecting it to be a super-exciting game. You get into the playoffs and the energy is high and I think both teams are definitely going to be prepared.”
The bantam Wolverines (3-3) visit the North Halton Crimson Tide in semifinal play on Saturday.