Vancouver College Fighting Irish

Last Season: 4-1
Head Coach: Todd Bernett

Top Players last year:

QB Laurence Nixon
RB Oscar Tapia
WR Jason Oliver
WR Trey Henderson
LB Joseph Malabuyoc
WR/DB Edgardo Pinillos
C/LB Matt Sroka
DL Matt Esaw

Key JV players:

QB/DB Michal Martinka
RB/LB Joey Scorda
WR/LB Alex Paterson
WR/DB Seamus O'Brien
WR/DB Brody McKnight
*The whole Starting D-line



Schedule:

Exhibition
Sat, Sep. 3 Vancouver College Fighting Irish vs STMC Knights St. Thomas More (STM) Burnaby 1:30P
Sat, Sep. 10 Centennial Centuars vs Vancouver College Fighting Irish Vancouver College - 1:30P
Sat, Sep. 17 Ferndale, Wash vs Vancouver College Fighting Irish Vancouver College - 1:30P
Fri, Sep. 23 Vancouver College Fighting Irish vs Nooksack Valley USA Washington 7:30P

Regular
Sat, Oct. 1 Vancouver College Fighting Irish vs West Vancouver Highlanders West Van High West Vancouver 1:30P
Sat, Oct. 8 Vancouver College Fighting Irish vs Handsworth Royals Handsworth Sec North Vancouver 1:30P
Fri, Oct. 14 Vancouver College Fighting Irish vs Carson Graham Eagles Carson Graham Sec North Vancouver 7:00P
Sat, Oct. 22 Timberline Wolves vs Vancouver College Fighting Irish Vancouver College - 1:30P
Fri, Oct. 28 Notre Dame Jugglers vs Vancouver College Fighting Irish Vancouver College - 2:00P


The Vancouver College Fighting Irish were 2 measly quarters away from winning it all last season. Although the Irish were the heavy dog going into the Final, they found themselves up 12-0 at halftime. They did it by effectively shutting down Rick Hansen's big guns and scoring 2 TDs in the process, no easy feat. But 2 TDs isn't nearly a safe enough lead and Rick Hansen proved that by coming back in dramatic fashion. No matter what anyone says, it's tough to get to the Finals and lose. It hurts even more when you've been there 3 of the past 4 years and come up short each time, just ask Jim Kelly of the Buffalo Bills.

The Irish, like their counterparts in the Final, were loaded with talent in every single position. QB Laurence Nixon, among the top 3 in passing; RB Oscar Tapia, top 3 in rushing; The Irish had 4 people with 50 or more tackles recorded in the regular season, the most of any team. With all the returning players, the long list of JV standouts, their experience in big playoff games, clearly the Championship this year is theirs to lose. Leading the list of returnees is RB Oscar Tapia, he may even pick up AAA MVP along the way. With last year's staring QB Laurence Nixon graduating, rookie QB Michal Martinka will most likely replace Nixon and will fill in quite nicely. Top receivers Trey Henderson and Jason Oliver will both be back. The O-Line and D-Line will be strong once again. The defense will also look to add rookies from the D-Line of the JV squad that allowed 19 points in 6 regular season games, for a frightening PA avg of just over 3. Top tackler LB Joseph Malabuyoc will be back to lead the Linebacking core.

Looking over the list, the numbers, etc.. the Irish were built to win the Championship in 05/06. It would take an act of God to bring them down. Repeating as Division Champs is a given, nobody even comes close especially in a young rebuilding year for many teams in the Western conference. The Irish are expected to WIN. Another trip to the Finals only to lose will not be acceptable. There are some good teams out there this year, but none that match up pound-for-pound vs the Irish. I would bet the farm (if I had a farm) on the Irish winning the Championships.


Prognosis: 5-0 (Pre-season favorites to win it all)
Key Games: Week 1, VC vs STM; Week 2, VC vs Cent
Top Offensive Players: RB Oscar Tapia, QB/DB Michal Martinka
Top Defensive Players: LB Joseph Malabuyoc, Whole D-Line