AKO Fratmen boast confident bunch

Coach says defense can be ‘best in Canada’

by Rob Benneian

With the taste of their Ontario Football Conference finals loss still fresh in their mouths, the Windsor AKO Fratmen are chomping at the bit to get back to work.

“The defense is geared up right now just to whack the offense around, so when they see another colour helmet in front of them I think it’s going to be devastating,” said Fratmen head coach Mike LaChance.

LaChance was named the CJFL Coach of the Year after guiding the Fratmen to the OFC championship game following a perfect 8-0 regular season. He didn’t mince words when talking about the potential of his defense.

“I think our defense is going to be dynamic right off the hop,” LaChance said. “We recruited hard to try to get some positional guys to come in and not just be guys who come in and make an impact, but come in and make a big impact. Come in and lead the league in sacks, pressure the quarterback, get after people. I think that realistically we have a chance to be the best defense in the country.”

Jones, Archer lead the way

Veteran defensive back Deandre Jones, 22, was named to the OFC All-Conference team for his 2011 campaign that saw him rack up 32 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Going into his fourth season, Jones said he wants to be a leader on the team.

“Being that knowledge guy, that textbook guy that knows all of the little things,” Jones said. “So if a (defensive back) or a linebacker needs help with anything, just to be that guy to coach and help out.”

Jones, who often switched positions on a game-by-game basis last season, described himself as best suited as a shut-down type of player, but said he is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team.

“I want my role to be whatever the coaches need me to be, whatever that role is to fill it,” Jones said.

Fratmen wide receiver Joel Archer, like Jones, is a fourth year player who graduated from W.F. Herman Secondary School. Archer lead the OFC in touchdowns and points scored in 2011, and said he lets his play on the field do the talking.

“I try to just lead by example,” Archer said. “I’m not the loud, vocal leader. We have plenty of those guys on the team. I try to sit in the background and pick guys up when they’re down, be a solid receiver, show them in practice every day and make sure everyone is working hard every day. I’m not going to give the big pep talk but I try to be a leader in other ways.”

Archer said the Fratmen defense provide plenty of competition in practices.

“Every practice is a huge competition,” Archer said. “It’s a huge rivalry with us. We have a scrimmage every practice with about 15 plays, and we’re trying to win every single day. It’s the same as game day, they’re an opponent.”

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