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Gridiron time: 62nd NFC season kicks off May 30

The Sudbury Spartans would like to take another step forward in 2015. Their first test of the season will be a good one, providing early signs of just how realistic continued progress might be. Tomorrow (May 30) at 7:30 p.m.
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The Sudbury Spartans kick off their NFC season tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at the James Jerome Sports Complex. Photo by Jim Gray.
The Sudbury Spartans would like to take another step forward in 2015. Their first test of the season will be a good one, providing early signs of just how realistic continued progress might be.

Tomorrow (May 30) at 7:30 p.m. at the James Jerome Sports Complex, the Spartans welcome the Sarnia Imperials to town. Last July, the local NFCers upended the visitors 26-16, putting the contest away with a late touchdown from Scott Smith.

Showing up with a lineup of just 18 players, the Imperials boasted some top-end athleticism, with quarterbacks Pat Wright and Ricky Gorton displaying plenty of veteran savvy in helping keep their team in the game.

Bottom line is that this is clearly a winnable game for coach Junior Labrosse and company, one they can ill-afford to lose if they plan on making a second straight trip to the playoffs.

"In my opinion, moving forward is a good possibility," said Labrosse at practice this week. "We have a lot of last year's team returning back, which is good to have that stability.

"It's also the second year with the same system, so the players kind of know it. There's less of a learning curve."

Certainly the case for defensive end Joe Shyminsky, looking to build on an impressive campaign in 2014.

"I'm often the guy making the play in the backfield, the sack," said Shyminsky. "I like to do that kind of thing, to lead by example, build some momentum for my team. They feed off that."

Facing Sarnia last summer, Shyminsky pulled a punt, recovering the ball in the end zone to give the Spartans a 13-3 lead at the time.

"Since the end of last year, we've been thinking about moving forward," he said. "We were a .500 team, we made the playoffs, now we want to make the playoffs again and get that first playoff win."

The Spartans feature a nice mix of newcomers with established talent. Among the rookies is quarterback Aaron Campbell, who now teams up with older brother Travis (Campbell) to provide a sibling tandem under centre.

As well, linebacker Nick Christakos returns after a year away from the sport, providing some key depth in the heart of the defensive unit.

"I took the year off to build some more strength for an adult league," said the 20-year-old graduate of Chelmsford Valley District Composite School.

"I just missed playing football, and I have the time this summer. I'm looking forward to seeing what this season has to offer, and trying to make a difference."

With early high school experience in the defensive secondary, Christakos gradually added some size, inching his way closer to the line of scrimmage during his time with the Chelmsford Flyers.

Now, he sees himself as ready for the challenge of NFC football.

"I have to focus on getting off my blocks, not playing with linemen, not trying to bench press them all the time," said Christakos. "You want to get rid of them really quick, because you're not going to last very long if you keep trying to fight every lineman in your way."

The enthusiasm of Christakos, and others, provides a wonderful boost for the likes of Shyminsky, who fully understands the rigours of continuing to play a sport that he loves, beyond his post-secondary days.

"It's always tough," said Shyminsky. "Work comes first, but you just have to find time, find that drive to push yourself, hit the gym, go to a track or a field or something. Just stay in shape, and stay focused on the season."

A season, the 62nd in league history, that kicks off for all 10 teams on Saturday.

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