UB Has Second Committ, From North of the Border
by Tim Riordan on Sep 18, 2009 4:06 PM EDT
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Source:canada.com
After verbally agreeing in mid July to accept a full athletic scholarship to the University at Buffalo Bulls for 2010-11, when he was still only 16, Veinotte has added another 20 pounds of muscle to bring him to that magic number for offensive linemen. He did hit the 307-pound mark before dropping seven pounds....Veinotte attended the University at Buffalo football camp three months ago and caught the attention of head coach Turner Gill, a former CFL quarterback. He impressed the coaching staff, which included former Ottawa quarterback Danny Barrett (Bulls’ offensive co-ordinator), with his technique, size and maturity.
Gill rewarded Veinotte with a full scholarship offer almost three months before he turned 17.
"I couldn’t risk saying no," Veinotte said in an interview Wednesday, after St. Peter defeated South Carleton 50-0 to open another National Capital Secondary School Athletic Association senior tier 1 football season.
"I didn’t want to risk saying no in case there would be no other offers. You can’t pass up a free education and that level of football."
One thing you cant teach is size, and Veinotte has size in spades. He may be not have ideal height (6-5), but an 17 year old over 300 pounds is a nice find for a mid major program.
Among his career highlights are:
- NCSSAA senior tier 1 championship in 2008 and junior championship in 2007 for St. Peter. He was a senior co-captain last year and this year;
- Selected to the 2008 high school senior all-star team;
- Won several National Capital Amateur Football Association championships for Cumberland Panthers;
- Played for Eastern Ontario and won the gold medal at the 2009 Football Canada Cup and the bronze medal at the 2008 Football Canada Cup. He was team co-captain in 2009;
- Helped Cumberland reach Ontario Varsity Football League junior final in 2008.
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The St. Peter Knights wrapped up a dominant football regular season with a perfect 6-0 record by downing the host South Carleton Storm 31-0 on Friday, Oct. 23 – the Knights’ fourth shutout of the year.
"I’m happy, but that’s not our goal," St. Peter coach Jim Mick said, noting the regular season serves as a time to learn before they’re really measured. "An undefeated regular season would mean nothing to us if we fell in the playoffs."
For that reason, there was no big celebration by the Knights following the contest’s final whistle, which marked the second consecutive undefeated year for the defending National Capital league champions.
There was barely a celebration for any of the touchdowns they scored against South Carleton either, with the noted exception of the final one, but that was a pretty special case.
On first-and-goal from the one-yard line, offensive tackle Jeff Veinotte caught a pass in the end zone to record the first touchdown of his career.
"They told me I’ve got one play to try and get a touchdown or a catch at least," smiled Veinotte, who displayed a shocked look on his face when he scored even though the play was designed for him as he lined up at tight end. "It was pretty surreal. Even if I got a penalty, I felt I had to cheer anyways because an O-lineman doesn’t get a touchdown very often."
The chance for the University of Buffalo-bound Grade 12 student to score a major himself was a reward from the coaching staff for helping on countless occasions to plow the way to the end zone for other Knights.
"I said, ‘You’ll get this and have some fun with it, and then get it out of your mind and your system,’" Mick laughed. "I mean, good for him – he deserves it and he’s a class act – but certainly at the next level, he’ll never get that opportunity."
Veinotte has been savouring his last chance to enjoy high school football alongside teammates he’s grown up with from both the Cumberland Panthers and Knights.
"I know that once I’m gone I won’t be seeing the guys very often because they’ll be off wherever they go and I’ll be in Buffalo," the 6’ 5", 300-pound 17-year-old noted. "Just being able to spend time with my friends and enjoying my last season with St. Pete’s is awesome."
"I’m happy, but that’s not our goal," St. Peter coach Jim Mick said, noting the regular season serves as a time to learn before they’re really measured. "An undefeated regular season would mean nothing to us if we fell in the playoffs."
For that reason, there was no big celebration by the Knights following the contest’s final whistle, which marked the second consecutive undefeated year for the defending National Capital league champions.
There was barely a celebration for any of the touchdowns they scored against South Carleton either, with the noted exception of the final one, but that was a pretty special case.
On first-and-goal from the one-yard line, offensive tackle Jeff Veinotte caught a pass in the end zone to record the first touchdown of his career.
"They told me I’ve got one play to try and get a touchdown or a catch at least," smiled Veinotte, who displayed a shocked look on his face when he scored even though the play was designed for him as he lined up at tight end. "It was pretty surreal. Even if I got a penalty, I felt I had to cheer anyways because an O-lineman doesn’t get a touchdown very often."
The chance for the University of Buffalo-bound Grade 12 student to score a major himself was a reward from the coaching staff for helping on countless occasions to plow the way to the end zone for other Knights.
"I said, ‘You’ll get this and have some fun with it, and then get it out of your mind and your system,’" Mick laughed. "I mean, good for him – he deserves it and he’s a class act – but certainly at the next level, he’ll never get that opportunity."
Veinotte has been savouring his last chance to enjoy high school football alongside teammates he’s grown up with from both the Cumberland Panthers and Knights.
"I know that once I’m gone I won’t be seeing the guys very often because they’ll be off wherever they go and I’ll be in Buffalo," the 6’ 5", 300-pound 17-year-old noted. "Just being able to spend time with my friends and enjoying my last season with St. Pete’s is awesome."
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