Cornwall Wildcats’ Delves, Aubin taking games to the next level in the west

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Very good things have happened in two for the Cornwall Wildcats football organization.

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It just found out it has one player – defensive giant Colby Delves – headed to the U20 world championships in Edmonton and a second star, kicker/catcher Zachary Aubin, soon to pursue more glory as part of Team Ontario at nationals from Ontario. Queen.

“I’m excited, it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Delves said before the Wildcats – in Ontario Summer Football League U18 Division AAA with a 2-1 record – had an evening practice at Joe St. Dennis Field.

Delves has had a lot of changes in the past year. Still just 18 years old, he bulked up to 235 pounds, changed his position from being a lifelong wide receiver and began attending Algonquin College in Ottawa.

So it is not surprising that he did not go to the trials for the national team. But the team came looking for him, and he was recently added to the U20 Football Canada national team roster.

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It happened quickly a few days ago. With Football Canada in search of the video tape, Delves’ parents contacted Wildcats video specialist coach Alex Zarifi, who was quickly able to put together a montage that the national body apparently liked.

Delves was set to head west Friday night for training camp, which begins soon. The U20 team will compete at the 2024 IFAF World Junior Football Championships in Edmonton from June 20-30 and will feature teams from Austria, Japan, Australia, USA, Panama and Brazil.

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Delves, a graduate of St Joseph Catholic Secondary School, is in his third year with the Wildcats U18 OSFL team and organization president Kirby Camplin said he is one of the top athletes to come out of the program; he’s 6-foot-3-inches, muscular and can run a 4.85-second 40-yard dash, very good for someone whose job on the field is to chase down opposing quarterbacks and stop running backs.

“I switched to defensive end this year and I really liked it,” he said. “It was a good change of pace. There is more physical contact in that position and I find that I get more into the game.”

Established in 2009, the IFAF World Junior Championship is held every two years. To date, Canada holds the most wins in the championship with three. Canada is also the first country to win back-to-back World Championships, with wins in 2016 and 2018.

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Meanwhile, Aubin, in Grade 11 at École secondaire catholique La Citadelle, has been selected to represent Ontario at the prestigious 2024 U18 Soccer Canada Cup in Regina, July 5-13. It will feature the best pre-university soccer players in Canada and bring together teams from eight provinces competing for the title of national champions.

“Zachary is in his second year with our Wildcats U18 OSFL team and is one of the best receivers and kickers in the province,” said Camplin.

Aubin was a relatively quick study. In an era where many football players first put on pads at the age of six or seven, Aubin started playing by the age of 12.

But it was love at first sight. Aubin, a former football player, began his football fun in the mosquito division, was excited to carry the ball as a successful running back, and later switched positions to receiver.

It’s his leg that may draw the most oohs and aahs. Aubin hit one field goal attempt in the game from 47 yards out and hit several more than 50 yards in practice, including a personal-best 55 yards.

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