Friends since the college ranks, cornerbacks Jordan Lessard and Emil Barthélémy had two goals in mind when they decided to join the Rouge et Or of Laval University two years ago.
Among the brightest prospects in their position upon leaving the college ranks, Lessard, of John Abbott’s Islanders, and Barthélémy, of Édouard-Montpetit’s Lynx, wanted to win a Vanier Cup and evolve as a starter both at the same time.
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“I’m friends with all the boys, but it means a lot to participate in the Vanier Cup with Jordan with whom I’ve developed a great relationship over several years,” said Barthélémy. It’s going to be a great experience to live this with him.”
“Our plan was for us to start on each side of the field,” added Lessard, who made an important interception at the Mitchell Cup against the Regina Rams last Saturday. It wasn’t possible that we would both be starters in our first season, but that’s the case now.”
A formidable air offensive
Lessard and Barthélémy will be very busy against the Laurier Golden Hawks who are banking on a formidable quarterback in Taylor Elgersma and a solid quartet of receivers.
“Their quarterback has a very good arm and he’s going to go hard,” Barthélémy said. He won’t hesitate to throw in deep areas, but we can run with everyone.”
“Their receiver Ethan Jordan is really good and he can change the game single-handedly,” added Lessard. We respect him a lot.”
“Our biggest challenge of the season”
Marc Fortier is fully aware of the task facing the Rouge et Or defensive unit.
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“In terms of issues and personnel, this is our biggest challenge of the season,” said the Laval defensive coordinator. Laurier’s potential to make big plays is spectacular. In three playoff games, they completed 19 passes of 20 yards or more, which is huge.”
Long games are the identity of Ontario champions. “They don’t hesitate to throw deep,” Fortier said. We can’t make big plays like they have done all season. We can run with them and I think we can put pressure on four players.
“However, we will have to choose our moments to bring more players under pressure,” continued Fortier, “but we will not change our identity drastically. We’ll have to play smart football, but their quarterback can’t be in his office the whole game.”
Fortier recognizes that Laval gave up a lot of passing yards against the Rams. “We found ourselves in uncharted territory, not to mention the uncertainty about the identity of the starting quarterback. It was not an easy match. We will not be able to grant 12-minute series. It’s going to take input from the whole team. As a defense, our goal is to sit on the bench.”
He makes a dream come true
A reserve marauder at the start of the season, Champagne got his first two career starts at the Dunsmore Cup and the Mitchell Cup. “I’m living a dream,” he said. It’s really fun. I hadn’t played short-side defensive back for a while, but Jordan’s presence [Lessard] by my side helps me a lot. The important thing is that we won both games.”
Champagne struck in relief of star player Edward Bolduc whose season is over due to a torn ligament in his thumb and Benjamin Nadon who should however be back as a starter at the Vanier Cup.
