From chumps to champs

The Chateauguay Junior Raiders in the space of a few months went from worst to best in the Quebec Junior Football League.

Head coach Derek Durocher's crew finished the regular season at the top of the four-team circuit with a record of seven victories and two defeats. This compares dramatically to last season when they lost every game.

« That was our worst season in history, » recalls Raiders president John Mouland. So what made the difference this year?

« The coaching, » Mouland pinpointed. « At the end of last season all the coaches were fired, with the lone exception of Derek (Durocher). The new coaches did an excellent job, » appreciates the man who has been with the team since its inception in 1981. Mouland also tipped his cap to the players, as 40 of 55 were new to the club this year. « The players were very devoted, » Mouland stressed. «  We had a total commitment from the entire team. »

Durocher attributes the success of his troops to the assistant coaches he recruited and to the newcomers on the squad. « The coaches know what they must do. The new blood on the team helps a lot. We have 40 new players, » he reiterated.

Championship game

First-place finishers in the standings, the Chateauguay Raiders are automatically receiving a bye into the championship game. This duel is scheduled for Sunday, November 8 at LPP field at 1 p.m. when the Raiders will meet either the South Shore Bruizers or North Shore (Laval) Sabercats for all the marbles.

Players

Abdul K. Pierre, Anthony Hall, Mathew Pompeo, Brandon Hart, Ryan Forrest, Anastasios Korafotis, Reuben Johnson, Mario Porreca, Sanders Armand, Edward Valme, Kevin Cronn, Chis Fields, Vincent Bourgon, Austin Riley Toohey, Raphael Giauris, Jordan M. Thompson, Phan Mederick, Liam Moreau, Jeremy Anderson, Kevin Glannville, Patrick Mitchell, Shaun Sobers, Malik Sydney Antoine, Alexandre Audette, Julian McLaren, Jacques Insixigngman, Danny H. Reindeau, Wadley Angibeau, Cullen Burrell, Alexander Cronn, Jeffery Montreuil, Anthony Mercier, Cedric N. Molapie, Jevin Jordon Richards, Tanner Burrell, Cory Robertson, Yussef Philogene, Joven Joel Richardson, Gabriel Mercier, Shakeel D’Agular, Dwayne Hunte, Remi Hort, Jelani McLaren, Daniel Mancici, Kyeon Anthony Nicely, Kieran Ranger, Martin T. Steinberg, Ryan David, Christian Valdex Occil, Greg Newman, Jernell Lewis, Malcom Desire et Devon Deer.

Coaches

-Head coach Derek Durocher
- Offensive Coordinator Allan Ramsey
- Running backs John Pilon
- Offensive line Jordan Cusson
- Quarterbacks Mathieu Rene
- Defensive line Robert Young
- Linebacker Mike Harrington
- Defensive backs Dave Centomo