Varsity Glads optimistic about tall task this weekend

In most years, the first place versus fourth place first round divisional playoff matchup in the Ontario Football Conference would hold very little drama.

Typically, the gap in talent between the two teams would be so vast that holding out hope for anything beyond a close game at the half would be foolhardy.

This is not most years.

When the Sudbury Gladiators travel south on Sunday to face the undefeated Toronto Jr Argonauts, they do so buoyed with a confidence that is not simply a by-product of a severe lack of keeping in touch with reality.

It goes beyond the fact that a 17-14 loss a few weeks back was a solid indication of the competitiveness of the respective teams. It was as much about the way that game played out, the fact that the Glads walked away unconvinced that they were beaten by a better team.

"For me, personally, when I already know that I can play against the other offensive line, and I know I can beat them, then I don't feel nervous at all," said 17 year-old defensive tackle Eric Greene.

"It gives you an advantage." Which is not to say that coach Aaron Rehel and company are taking the Argos for granted. "They're a tough team, for sure," said veteran offensive lineman Alex Vendramin.

"But we only lost by three points, so this is a very winnable game for us. We have to get off the ball quickly, hit their "D" line pretty hard, our receivers have to catch balls, and Chris (Moutsatsos) has to be on point," added Vendramin.

And while the defense did a good job of containing the run-heavy Toronto attack in their first encounter, all signs point to the 7-0 first place finishers featuring a different pivot guiding the offense, one who can create things single-handedly through his quick feet and elusiveness.

"We'll have to stop the scrambling from their quarterback, and get behind their big guard and not let him push us back," said Greene.

With a few more years of junior eligibity remaining, the St Charles College product is constantly looking for ways to level the field, given the fact that he tops out somewhere around 5'10", and is not blessed with the ideal arm-length that can come in handy on the "D" line.

"I need to keep a low center of gravity, make sure that with the taller people, that I get under them," said Greene. "Then I just try and use my chest strength to move them off the line, and wherever I want from there."

Also providing a level of comfort is the fact that right behind him, Greene knows that the defense is in great shape, led by the look-alike tandem of Connor Mick and Joe Jelen at linebacker.

"They're really close. They're both pretty much wired the same way. They're both just weirdo crazy people who run around out there and love to hit people, and play some football," said Greene with a smile.

"They're fearless, and both have great football IQ. They're made from the same mold."

For his part, Vendramin has been known, from time to time, to give in to "crazy" moments on his own at various sporting venues.

But as an experienced stabilizing presence on a relatively young offensive line, he has been a major factor in the gradual development of the Gladiators' attack, one which looks better with every passing game.

"We now have some nice drives going, some actual series', instead of just "two and outs", which happened to us a lot early in the season," said the Laurentian University sophomore.

"We're starting to build some confidence, and the young guys are stepping up."

"I thought we had potential from the start," Vendramin added.

"We do have some heavy guys that can push, We just have to keep going, keep progressing."

And if it all comes together Sunday at the St Michael's College field, then few will view a Sudbury road victory as any kind of huge upset at all.