Article content The Sault Sabercats varsity squad kicks off Week 3 of Ontario Summer Football League action against the Vaughn U18 Rebels on Saturday evening. “I am hoping we play clean and smart football,” head coach Jamie Antonello said. “(I hope) we can start well and defend the home turf, once again.
” The ‘Cats started the season in resounding fashion, beating the York Lions 35-21 in the season opener on May 18 at Superior Heights. Part of the ‘clean and smart’ portion of the game Antonello referenced came on the penalty side of the ledger. The varsity club had four touchdowns wiped out due to its actions.
Two of the majors called back came on defence, one on special teams and one on offence. Antonello would like to see the penalty portion of the game cleaned up. More specifically, penalties they can control like offside and holding, to name a few.
“I would like to see us get rid of the unnecessary penalties (on Saturday),” Antonello said. “I don’t want anything after the whistle, or offside penalties, stuff like that.” The ‘Cats benefitted from a Week 2 bye, Antonello saying the break came at a good time.
“A couple of guys who were banged up, were able to get healthy, which is nice,” Antonello said. The break was especially beneficial to the players considered rookies in the league. “We have a big group of Grade 11 players,” Antonello said.
“I think we have upwards of 20 of them out of the 51 or 52 guys we have.” Information overload.
