Just as he has every year since he emerged as starting quarterback in 2021, Steven Sola would, once again, help lead his team to a city championship this fall.
This year, however, the gun-slinging fleet-footed QB knew full well he needed to bring teammates along as the Lo-Ellen Park Knights graduated an overwhelming majority of their starters after three-peating last November.
“When I was in 10th grade, guys like Carter Will, Liam Conlin – all those guys were running plays, installing the offense because we’re short-staffed (with coaches),” said Sola, garnering game MVP honours as the Knights defeated the Confederation Chargers 28-22 at a jam-packed James Jerome Sports Complex Friday night.
“This year, I was taking on that coach role, helping develop guys at different positions, helping draw up the playbook,” Sola added. “I took on that role, not only as a leader but also a coach.”
With head coach Alex Vendramin multi-tasking all over the field, the help would be welcomed as the Knights did things a little differently in 2024 – in more ways than one.
“After week one, sustaining a first degree shoulder separation, it was hard for me to throw the ball,” admitted Sola. Enter Noah Parsons, stepping in at pivot and allowing Vendramin to both rest his starting QB, at times, while also involving him both offensively and defensively in more unconventional ways – at least by quarterback standards.
“I was feeling good enough to be in, my shoulder was good, but you have to be a little hesitant, especially on defense,” noted the Most Outstanding Player in the league in 2023, with the 2024 announcements due in the next few weeks. “If I am going in, making those tackles, I can’t lead with that right shoulder.”
Led by a pair of touchdown receptions from Jack Centis, another from Byron Nelson and a short run from Max Arnold, the Knights went to standout receiver Quin Mazzuchin somewhat more strategically, with Sola manning the offense.
“With the way our offense works, sort of scramble drills with players going everywhere, you can only guard it for so long,” said Sola. “I watched film for hours coming into this game and I noticed they were terrified of Mazzuchin – and they should be. You have to have two guys on him or he will go make a play.”
“But that allowed so many guys to get open and make plays. Jack, Byron on little quick outs, just passing the ball around,” Sola continued. “And once you have those linebackers taking one step back, Max Arnold can run it for days.”
Confederation opened the scoring as King David Igiehon turned the corner and darted 63 yards on the opening possession, with Braedan Beggs adding a TD, convert and rouge as well, the Knights up 22-13 at the half.
The second major by Centis combined with the ability of the Lo-Ellen defense to shut down lengthy drives by the Chargers would render a second score by Igiehon (47 yard punt return) on the final play of the game essentially inconsequential.
“We got in the film room, we got out to practice, we lined up and got our stuff right,” noted Lo-Ellen defensive back Niki Sola. “We put in a lot of hours for this.”
The Knights now must travel to Sault Ste Marie next weekend to face the Korah Colts, 43-13 winners over the St Mary’s Knights in the senior high-school final in the Lock City, with Sola fully aware if the challenge the locals will encounter.
“We just have to keep working, keep going hard, every week, every day – and study,” said Niki. “It’s a little like school; the football school.”
In capturing a fourth straight SDSSAA senior boys football banner, the Knights became the first team since the St Charles College Cardinals to do so (1989 - 1992), and only the third all-time (Subury Mining & Technical School - 1953 - 1957)
