Doesn’t matter how you do the math or line them-up, a senior corps of linebackers have turned into a close-unit — and a pain for the opposition.
Three of the Falcon Four — Ajay Chattha, Colten Canturk and Tyler Going — have played the past eight years together, not all necessarily at linebacker, with Foothills and the Eagles minor league program.
“I think we have become closer friends and that helps us on the field,” Going said. “A lot of gang tackles. When the other team’s player is wrapped up, we just go in and hit’em. That kind of intimidates the other team.”
The fourth member, Keaton Goossen didn’t play linebacker for Foothills until he was in Grade 10 – the first-year he ever stepped on the gridiron.
“It was confusing at first but (former Falcons linebackers) Matt Hunter and Gavin Millard helped me a lot,” Goossen said of his rookie season. “Mr. St. Dennis and coach (former coach Byron) Brandford helped me a lot. Then when Matt got hurt, I got a lot of game practice.”
Going has played all three years at Foothills and he said hands down, no one has improved in that time as much as Goossen.
Falcons defensive co-ordinator Nathan St. Dennis said Goossen is a high-academic student, which helped him play the complicated linebacker position.
“It was different for Keaton because he hadn’t played before,” St. Dennis said. “We didn’t know what to expect. Keaton physically put in a lot of work and he’s a smart kid. He catches on quick which was another good thing for us.”
Canturk is playing his first year at linebacker, after being a runningback in Grade 10 and defensive end last season.
“Compared to runningback, I used to take the hits, now I can give the hits, that’s a lot better,” he said with a laugh. “Plus at linebacker I feel like I can make big plays for the team. Getting a sack is better than that one 30-yard run for sure.”
It’s been a rush for Canturk. He is used often as a rushing linebacker or drops back in coverage.
“He’s done a good job for us to have someone we can have when we do the 4-3/3-4 switch,” St. Dennis said. “He’s caught onto it and that allows us to be flexible with our defence and hopefully, annoy a lot of offences that we face.”
Going has been annoying the opposition for the past three years for the Falcons and is one of the leaders on the Foothills defence. He credits his teammates for making him a better player.
“I think it’s important to have our close group — that trust,” Going said. “Knowing that your teammates are going to be right beside you if you miss a tackle. Or if I do my job right and bring the runner into the middle linebacker, I know Ajay is going to be there.”
Chattha saw some action last year at linebacker after switching from defensive back , he’s been in the middle this season.
“It is more responsibility, like a mix,” Chattha said. “You have to be really good with the run support and also be able to cover. You are also almost a captain on the field. It’s been pretty easy to adjust.”
He credits the help of Going and linebacker coach Colin Sheedy with him feeling comfortable being the man in the middle. St. Dennis said this may be the strongest linebacker unit in four years at the Comp.
“We try to put the guys into a spot where they are responsible for their job,” St. Dennis said. “I’ve had less issues with this group than I have in the past.
“The friendship among these guys is huge.”
Falcons in final
The Foothills Falcons advanced to the Big Rock Council final by blanking the Highwood Mustangs 42-0 Thursday in the semifinal at Falcon Field.
Highwood coach Bryan Brandford said his young team hung in there.
“In the second half we had six Grade 9 players in on the field,” Brandford said. “They were getting banged around, but they would bounce right up. They got some playing time and got the feel of playing in a big game.
“At least we’re fighting and I’m pleased with that.”
Falcons coach Darren Olson said playing a smaller school like Highwood gives him a chance to play his more inexperienced players.
“The good thing is we got our Grade 10s in, two Grade 10 kids at quarterback (Keaton Neish and Tyson Hartle),” he said. “It gives our young guys a chance to play. Guys who come out to play and don’t get a chance to play a lot.”
One of those guys was receiver Sawyer Smith.
“It was special to get on the field and get some playing time — this is a little taste of what I will be able to do if I continue to work hard,” Smith said.
The Falcons, the no. 2 ranked Tier II school in the province, will host the Holy Trinity Academy Knights at 7 p.m. on Oct. 28.
