Saints football looking to hit paydirt

The St. Clair College football team opens the new season Saturday in London in a rematch of the last year's final. The Saints head into the game as two-time defending OFC champions.

"It's a team we've played in the finals four years in a row," remarked head coach Mike Lachance whose team lost two before winning the last two. "It's always a good battle. We're always gonna expect a good game. They've got a really good offensive line. They're well coached and they're gonna put up a good fight for sure."

Saints head coach Mike Lachance

The Saints have re-loaded after making it to the CJFL final last November where they lost to the Saskatoon Hilltops 43-0. "This team is the best one I've had coming into a season in a long time," Lachance claims. "It's better than last year's team. I think we've improved on every level."

Lachance likes his returning quarterbacks Maurice Sodja and Matthew Guenette who are a year older. He believes his offensive and defensive lines are far improved. "I think the two most important positions, those two big groups are better than last year and that should help us a lot."

Their home opener is August 24th at Acumen Stadium against the Quinte Skyhawks starting at 7pm. The Saints are aiming to return to the CJFL final and bring home their first Canadian Bowl title since 1999 when they were known as the AKO Fratmen.