Phoenix off and running in District 8 football
The Resurrection Phoenix rolled to District 8 and CWOSSA titles before crushing the Etobicoke Collegiate Rams in the OFSAA Metro Bowl championship.
That was way back in 2015 and the once mighty program has struggled since.
Until this fall, that is.
The Phoenix are off to a 2-0 start in District 8 senior football play and have established themselves as the squad to beat in the four-team league. Resurrection crushed the reigning champion St. Benedict Saints 41-3 in its first outing and followed it up with a 47-13 romp over the St. Mary’s Eagles in Week 2.
A Wednesday night contest against the St. David Celtics is next up for Resurrection, a team that has been solid on both sides of the ball this season.
“It’s been a rough couple of years but there’s a good buzz about these guys,” Phoenix coach Matt Gallagher said. “There’s not the same division in the lockerroom that there’s been. These guys seem to be behind each other, they seem to enjoy each other and that’s been huge.”
Every successful team needs a quality QB to lead the offence and Max Le Duc has performed admirably for the Phoenix in the first two weeks. Running backs Jackson Lewis and Devonte Russell provide a solid one-two punch out of the backfield and tight end Jaxon Matcheski has emerged as a favourite target. Two-way linemen Parker Boyd and Cam Bulai have also been solid.
The Phoenix haven’t defeated the Celtics in two seasons and will take nothing for granted Wednesday, said Gallagher, even though the Celtics were hammered 45-17 by St. Mary’s in a Week 1 loss. A pregame reminder about underestimating an opponent won’t be necessary.
“We hadn’t beaten Bennies in two years and we haven’t beaten David in two years, so there’s not too much to talk about,” he said.
A look at this week’s games:
DISTRICT 8
Wednesday Resurrection (2-0) at St. David (1-1), 7 p.m.
I’ve picked against the Phoenix in their first two outings and Gallagher said he hopes I do the same this week.
“That’s been working for us,” he said with a laugh. “So I don’t have a problem with that.”
The Celtics defeated the Saints 42-7 in their second outing but it’s hard to ignore that loss to
St. Mary’s, especially when you consider the ResurrectionSt. Mary’s outcome.
The Phoenix should win here. Sorry, Coach.
Thursday
St. Benedict (0-2)
at St. Mary’s (1-1), 3 p.m.
The Saints have struggled in their first two outings and there’s no reason to see that changing here. It might be close but we’ll go with the Eagles.
WCSSAA
Thursday Cameron Heights (0-1) at
Grand River (0-2), 3 p.m.
The Renegades have stumbled out of the block after reaching the WCSSAA final last year, while Cameron Heights is returning to the senior league after a one-year absence. The edge here goes to Grand River, which gave Huron Heights a push in a 39-29 loss.
Bluevale (1-1) vs. KCI (1-1),
7:30 p.m., University Stadium
Both teams have lost to Jacob Hespeler this season but Bluevale looked better doing so. The Knights are the pick.
Huron Heights (1-0)
at Jacob Hespeler (2-0), 7 p.m. In the words of wrestling legend
Ric Flair, to be the man, you gotta beat the man. Jacob Hespeler has been the man for a very long time and will continue to be the pick until they lose, something that hasn’t happened in the WCSSAA league since the 2012 championship game.
Friday
Elmira (1-1) at WCI (1-0),
3 p.m.
The Lancers rebounded from their Week 1 loss to
Sir John A. Macdonald with a spirited 34-0 win over Glenview Park, a team my secret league insider told me was one of the teams to watch. The Lancers should continue to roll against the Vikings, a team that has been preparing for this game since a Week 1 win over W-O.
Galt (0-2)
at Sir John A. Macdonald (2-0),
3 p.m.
It’s hard to see this one going any other way than a win by the Highlanders.
Preston (1-0)
at Glenview Park (1-1), 3 p.m.
Captain Obvious would tell you the Panthers are going to win in a game between two teams named after the same ferocious feline. I’ll take the team that defeated posted a 39-0 win over Galt last week, the one from Preston.
Last week: 5-2
Season: 7-7