Bears a ‘different animal’ says AKO coach

by Rob Benneian

[Hosted by imgur.com] AKO Fratmen punt returner Richard Veenstra (11) is sprung free on a block by teammate James Drew (2). Veenstra’s touchdown return was called back due to a block below the waist. The Fratmen defeated the Twin Cities Predators 33-0 at Knight-Newbrough Field in Kitchener in their season opener on Saturday, August 11, 2012. (Photo by/Rob Benneian)

It was a game they were supposed to dominate, and they did.

Despite running away on the scoreboard Windsor AKO Fratmen head coach Mike LaChance was lamenting the lack of discipline from his team.

“You look at the base stats, a 33-0 win, we had nearly 500 yards of offense, ten or twelve sacks and three safeties, and as a coach you think you’d be happy,” LaChance said. “But from the first guy on our roster to the 57th guy on the roster, through the ten coaches on our staff, we know we didn’t play well, we have a lot of improving to do. We took a lot of silly penalties, we left three touchdowns on the board because of it, a lot of missed assignments.”

The Fratmen were denied a touchdown on special teams after a long punt return by Richard Veenstra was called back due to a block below the waist. Wide receiver Derrick Hurst missed out on a touchdown reception when his team was hit with a holding call.

Bear hunting season

Heading into their home opener against the Brampton Bears, LaChance said it will be a game that plays right into their hands.

“They’re going to come out and throw the ball,” LaChance said. “They’ve got a heck of an offensive line with coach (Tommy) Denison, and they’re going to throw the ball 50, 60 times if they can. We have to be prepared for it. It’s kind of a different animal to prepare for, but we’ll be ready for it.”

“We’ve got guys in the secondary who can cover man to man and we’ve got a pressure front. Our defense can really bring the heat, and if teams protect with five and we’re coming with seven or eight, it’s not going to bode well for them.”

“I want our defensive backs to be aggressive. I want them to be smart, but I want them to be aggressive at the same time. All of them are very athletic…these guys can flat out get after the ball and when they get it, they’re not happy with just picking it off, they want it to go for six (points).”

Bremner confident

Second-year defensive back Tyler Bremner registered his first pick with the Fratmen in the second half of their win over the Predators. After a 2011 season where he was among the team’s top defenders with 43 tackles, Bremner said he is looking forward to another big season in the AKO secondary. With the pass-happy Bears coming to town on Sunday, he could find himself hauling in another interception.

“I’m hoping they come my way, try to throw away from Veenstra or Deandre (Jones),” Bremner said. “Go my way, let’s see how it goes. I’m sure their receivers are pretty good but our (defensive backs) are better.”

The Fratmen (1-0) will host the Brampton Bears (0-1) Sunday, August 19 at 3 p.m. at Windsor Stadium.