800 Words
The NSFL isn't ready for the player they are about to receive. After hearing word that fellow Saskatchewan native Antonio Summer of the Melfort Wings had declared for the draft straight out of high school, Summer immediately declined his national intent contract as placed forward by NCAA powerhouse Ohio State and made a formal application to join the class. Initially, he was met with a note of disapproval from the league office, who claimed that early eligibility should only be given to players at the very top of their class, but after a hard fought case, strong safety Ryan Cobalt has entered the pool, coming from Holy Cross High School out of Saskatoon. Last season, Cobalt helped lead the Crusaders too their second straight city championships before ousting the Wings at provincials and going on a tear until they were finally shut down by Regina's LaBoldus Bulls. Cobalt was a massive part of the HCHS defense last season, leading the team in tackles while playing a role mostly as a linebacker but also serving back as a secondary player. He also put up four sacks, and had two interceptions as well as eight passes deflected for a stat line that earned him Defensive Player of the Year from the Saskatoon 4A High School Sports Association.
Cobalt and Summer met a number of times through their high school careers, and each time they came face to face on the field it ended in anger. Their first match up against each other was in the regional finals back in the freshman years of high school, where Summer's Wings made a miracle run through the playoffs before the Crusaders shut them down. In that game, tensions rose as Cobalt made three consecutive tackles on Summer before blocking the Wings' field goal that would have won them the game. The two players spat comments back and forth before returning to their benches, but met in the parking lot after the game to exchange a few more words. Their conflicts continued to grow through their career as both players rose to the varsity rank in their sophomore year and were named to Team North Sask. Cobalt continuously lashed out at Summer during team practices and on the sidelines during games before eventually coaches needed to part the two in fear of a fight. As the two walked away, Cobalt shouted obscenities surrounding Summer's sexuality and mental ability, and soon found himself kicked off the team prior to the team's trip to Halifax for the national championship.
In their junior year, the two met for the first time as enemies on the field in varsity during an exhibition game between the Wings and Crusaders. The tension still existed, and after Summer blasted past Cobalt who failed to drag him down in a short yardage touchdown and continued to celebrate, Cobalt grabbed him by the face mask and ripped him to the ground before both teams had players rush in to break the two apart. Cobalt was issued a two game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct and abuse of officials after yelling at the referees as they took him off to the sidelines. In possibly the most dramatic event, Cobalt and Summer met in their senior year late in the season at the provincial championships. Summer opened the game with eighty six yards and two touchdowns in the first half before Cobalt jumped into action and held Summer to below three yards on seven straight attempts. After Cobalt picked off a ball from the Wings quarterback and returned it for over twenty yards before being brought down, the shouting began and the two players got face to face.
Both players helmets got ripped off and the two had a proper fight on the field after four seasons of being at each others throats. Neither referees nor players stepped in as the two went it out of fear that they would get injured in the crossfire. Both players were issues suspensions for the rest of the provincial campaign, but the Crusaders went on to win the game before being knocked out in the provincial final. The two players had a press conference prior to their official announcing of their top NCAA destinations, and both players made note that under no circumstance would be they heading to the same college for their NCAA career. In the end, Cobalt decided on Ohio State and Duke, while Summer announced his top two destinations would be Penn State and Rutgers. Summer ended up signing a CIS contract with the University of Saskatchewan while Cobalt awaited his NCAA National Signing Day.
Now with their paths once again crossing over in the NSFL, it will be a hard fought battle once again. Undoubtedly, this will be a year to watch for these two young players.
The NSFL isn't ready for the player they are about to receive. After hearing word that fellow Saskatchewan native Antonio Summer of the Melfort Wings had declared for the draft straight out of high school, Summer immediately declined his national intent contract as placed forward by NCAA powerhouse Ohio State and made a formal application to join the class. Initially, he was met with a note of disapproval from the league office, who claimed that early eligibility should only be given to players at the very top of their class, but after a hard fought case, strong safety Ryan Cobalt has entered the pool, coming from Holy Cross High School out of Saskatoon. Last season, Cobalt helped lead the Crusaders too their second straight city championships before ousting the Wings at provincials and going on a tear until they were finally shut down by Regina's LaBoldus Bulls. Cobalt was a massive part of the HCHS defense last season, leading the team in tackles while playing a role mostly as a linebacker but also serving back as a secondary player. He also put up four sacks, and had two interceptions as well as eight passes deflected for a stat line that earned him Defensive Player of the Year from the Saskatoon 4A High School Sports Association.
Cobalt and Summer met a number of times through their high school careers, and each time they came face to face on the field it ended in anger. Their first match up against each other was in the regional finals back in the freshman years of high school, where Summer's Wings made a miracle run through the playoffs before the Crusaders shut them down. In that game, tensions rose as Cobalt made three consecutive tackles on Summer before blocking the Wings' field goal that would have won them the game. The two players spat comments back and forth before returning to their benches, but met in the parking lot after the game to exchange a few more words. Their conflicts continued to grow through their career as both players rose to the varsity rank in their sophomore year and were named to Team North Sask. Cobalt continuously lashed out at Summer during team practices and on the sidelines during games before eventually coaches needed to part the two in fear of a fight. As the two walked away, Cobalt shouted obscenities surrounding Summer's sexuality and mental ability, and soon found himself kicked off the team prior to the team's trip to Halifax for the national championship.
In their junior year, the two met for the first time as enemies on the field in varsity during an exhibition game between the Wings and Crusaders. The tension still existed, and after Summer blasted past Cobalt who failed to drag him down in a short yardage touchdown and continued to celebrate, Cobalt grabbed him by the face mask and ripped him to the ground before both teams had players rush in to break the two apart. Cobalt was issued a two game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct and abuse of officials after yelling at the referees as they took him off to the sidelines. In possibly the most dramatic event, Cobalt and Summer met in their senior year late in the season at the provincial championships. Summer opened the game with eighty six yards and two touchdowns in the first half before Cobalt jumped into action and held Summer to below three yards on seven straight attempts. After Cobalt picked off a ball from the Wings quarterback and returned it for over twenty yards before being brought down, the shouting began and the two players got face to face.
Both players helmets got ripped off and the two had a proper fight on the field after four seasons of being at each others throats. Neither referees nor players stepped in as the two went it out of fear that they would get injured in the crossfire. Both players were issues suspensions for the rest of the provincial campaign, but the Crusaders went on to win the game before being knocked out in the provincial final. The two players had a press conference prior to their official announcing of their top NCAA destinations, and both players made note that under no circumstance would be they heading to the same college for their NCAA career. In the end, Cobalt decided on Ohio State and Duke, while Summer announced his top two destinations would be Penn State and Rutgers. Summer ended up signing a CIS contract with the University of Saskatchewan while Cobalt awaited his NCAA National Signing Day.
Now with their paths once again crossing over in the NSFL, it will be a hard fought battle once again. Undoubtedly, this will be a year to watch for these two young players.