Senior Cougars Say Goodbye

Annually, the Chatham-Kent Cougars senior varsity team graduates several players from their organization. Some are playing their last games of football, some move on to play in the CJFL, and some to the OUA.

This season, the Cougars are graduating several players this season, including Ben Bartlett, Max Fantuz, Erich DeMars, Carter Claridge, Tanner Emery, Zack Goetghebeur, D’Wan Mailloux, Thomas Van Raay, Nate McIntyre, and Josh Billingham.

Despite the different directions these players are now heading, one thing holds them together, their appreciation for the Cougars’ organization.

“I’ve been a part of cougars football for about 9 years now,” says Max Fantuz of his career with Chatham-Kent.

“Cougars football has given me a sense of belonging throughout my later years of elementary school and all of high school. It seemed like every kid had a thing when they were growing up and mine was football,” added the business student at the University of Windsor student. Fantuz, a Windsor Lancers football recruit last year, is unsure of his future playing career, which may include trying out for the Lancers again this season, or a spot in the CFJL.

He’s not alone in his praise for the Cougars organization, and the memories Varsity football holds.

“If I had to choose one word to describe my time as a Cougar it would be phenomenal, it was an outstanding learning experience,” says University of Waterloo student Erich DeMars, who was a recruit of the Warriors football program last year.

“Looking back at my time as a Cougar the people I have met over my 8 years are what I will remember more than anything,” continued DeMars, who thinks his playing days are over, but may consider a return to football through coaching.

The Cougars, who finished 1-7 this year, being outnumbered and considered underdogs against most of their competitors, stuck together, with a strong group of players, featuring their graduating class, representing the organization.

“We had an awesome core group of guys, but as we all know you can’t have a football team with 22 players, and in the end we just couldn’t overcome that,” said Carter Claridge, who will attend Fanshawe College next year and try out for the CJFL’s London Beefeaters of the Varsity Cougars’ season. “Looking back on all the years of playing always bring me back to grade season and having an undefeated season the first year I had ever played the sport,” remembers Claridge of his career with the Cougars.

“I’d say we are a strong group of players, always out numbered but never out powered,” echoed Zach Goetghebeur, who will attend the University of Windsor next season for business of the Varisty season.

According to Ben Bartlett, another long time Cougars football player, whether they were underdogs or favourites, it was the experience of playing on a team, as Cougars, and working toward a common goal he will remember most.

“Looking back, I will always remember the team spirit and courage that each team I played for had,” said Bartlett, who is entering his second year in accounting at the University of Ottawa. “We were never the biggest, strongest, or fastest team; and we rarely had as many players as our opponents; but each and every game we would go onto the field and compete no matter how big of underdogs we were.”

Each player leaving the Chatham-Kent Cougars organization this year, will be taking with them a lifetime of memories, and as importantly, knowing what it feels like to be a valued member of a team.

“The best thing about Cougars is that it didn’t matter who you were or what you were before,” says Max Fantuz. “When you become a Cougar, you are part of a team that does everything together.”

From their coach’s standpoint, long time Cougar Jeff Green, he’s happy for what each of these athletes got from their time playing football.

“They have always demonstrated a love for the game,” said Green. “Their final year, we didn’t make the playoffs, but he intesity, desire, and love of the game was never in question. They can hold their heads high, because they got what we all hope they receive from the game, and not just wins and championships. The Varsity coaches wishes them the best in the future.”