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IS YOUR GARAGE PROTECTING YOUR CAR BETTER THAN YOUR BARGAIN-RATE CAR INSURANCE? Don't trust just anyone to insure your car, see me: 2345Wy«roftRd. #21, Oakville 905-847-5671 W ayne McGill Editor: Norm Nelson Phone: 905-845-3824 (ext. 255) Fax: 905-337-5567 e-mail: nnelson@haltonsearch.com W 'l-I 'M S I >.\Y. M AY 2 2 . 2 ( K ) 2 · I B IO SPORTS Jl OAKVILLE NISSAN 616 York St. Oakville Bob McIntosh Direct: 905-827-7191 We lease all makes and models. 'Horns will welcome Milton into the NFC By Norm Nelson BEAVER SPO RTS EDITOR The Oakville Longhorns should provide the expansion Milton Marauders a baptism by fire into the Northern Football Conference (NFC). The suddenly thriving elite, senior tackle football league, now up to 10 teams, kicks off its season next weekend with a full slate of games, including the 'Horns at the Milton Marauders Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m., at Bishop Reding Secondary School. While the league has expanded by six teams over the last two years, one constant remains the domi nance of the Oakville Longhorns, the unprecedent ed nine-time NFC champions. Recendy, they've also extended their domination on a national scale, winning the last two national championships in which they've participated. 'Horns head coach Tony Molnar believes the reemergence of a national championship is one reason behind the NFC's sudden growth spurt. "There's a visibility and prestige that comes with that," he said. The other eight teams in the league include Belleville Panthers, Markham Raiders, Mega City Maddogs, Mississauga Wolverines, North Bay Bulldogs, Oshawa Hawkeyes, Sault Ste. Marie Storm and the Sudbury Spartans. The calibre of play is good, typically ex-university. Some, however, have played in the CFL or are trying to get there. An example of the first category, Dave Dinall, after a few years on the sidelines, is slated to suit up again for the 'Horns. An outstanding junior player, his CFL career lasted seven years. An example of the second category, Oakville field goal kicker Dana Segin, last year's NFC top scorer, has seen his share of CFL training camps. The NFC represents what is right about sports in our society, and that's probably because there is no money in the equation. Well there is money -- but these players pay to play. By the time you add up the individual registra tion fee of $325, equipment costs of over $300 and transportation fees for the road games, they're look ing at about $1,000 a season. It's a true 'love of the game' that is drawing these players. Look no further then the 'Horns president, Karl Kustor. He's over 40 and a knee operation kept him out last year. But he is is vowing one final season this year. Longhorns' quarterback Mark Demerling is also over 40, owning just about every NFC record in the book, but he is also vowing to play this year. And make no mistake, the 'Horns aren't doing him the favour. It's the other way around. Last season, he received the 'Horns MVP award and was the cham pionship game MVP There are no shortage of players wanting to suit up for the Longhorns. We've got sizzlin' specials at Dietrichs! Ms BBQ Stem! ( fresh Ontario, B u t t e r f l y ' ) Coach Molnar said that more than 115 athletes have tried out, with the numbers currently down to about 71-72. "It will be trimmed by another dozen," said coach Molnar. "We usually carry mid-fifties to 60." The Longhorns' success in the last decade has made it a tough line up to crack, but there are open ings. There's a steady turnover, and usually for far different reasons then their professional counter parts. For the 'Horns it's usually a player with a new job or a new house or a new baby in the family that finally has to hang up the equipment or at least take a sabbatical. Among this season's expected departures include last year NFC all-stars Mike Dingsdale (receiver), Mike Miller (offensive line) and Chris Nadon (offensive line). Other departures include Neil Richer, Dwayne Scott, Roger Skyers, Brett Fitzpatrick, Terry Luke, Jason Nunez, Steve Sacchitiello, Richard Rebiere, Mark Della Riva, Luc Robierge, Steve Cornelius, David Joseph, Mike D 'Aguilar, Mike Thompson, Mike Mackan, Will Thompson and Bob Milne. "We're probably looking at seven new starters this season," said coach Molnar. While the team has more than its share of long time, grizzled veterans, Molnar thinks the new blood is also a good thing for the team. "You can't stand pat," he said. Milton has not only drawn the 'Horns for their first ever game, but they will probably also see a game-ready team. That's because the 'Horns have some teams early in the schedule -- and coach Molnar said they have stepped up their pace in training camp in order to be ready. In fact, the key game of the entire schedule could happen the following week when the 'Horns, for their home opener, host the Mississauga Wolverines in a replay of last season's NFC championship. That game, by far, turned out to be the gem of the File Photo by Peter C. McCusker Oakville's Dana Segin brings in a touchdown. He led the NFC in scoring last year, but most of his points came off his foot. year, narrowly won 36-34 by the host 'Horns. It was a lot more exciting then the national final in October which the host 'Horns easily won 41-0 over the western pretenders. That's not meant as a slight to the Calgary Wolfjpack players who coughed up the money for the expensive plane flight to Toronto. Truth is, though, the under-manned Calgary team were last minute fill-ins for the western champs who decided to give the national championship game a pass at the last minute when some sponsorship fell through. This irked the 'Horns who had made their way to Winnipeg the previous year where they defeated the host Winnipeg Senior Mustangs 42-14 for their first national title. On the heels of the home opener against Mississauga, the Homs then host North Bay, a team which coach Molnar feels could also be one of the 'Homs biggest regular season tests. That means the `Homs are aiming to be firing on all cylinders from the get-go, this season. f o u r Famous Pork Loin Chops Cut from "AA" or I Alberta beef aged 18-21 days Extra Lean Bacon Wra File Approx. 6 $ _ Raiders all-time best athletes to be honoured on Wall of Fame Some of St. Thomas A quinas' most distinguished athletes are making a return to the school. No, they're not going to suit up for Raiders again. But they are going to find themselves on the school's new Wall of Fame. It will honour the school's elite athletes who have gone on to college or university teams, or provincial or national teams, or who have distinguished them selves as a Special Olympian. The school will honour a dozen athletes at a dinner/dance this Saturday at the school Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. Two auctions will be held with the money going to the Wall of Fame project as well as a contribution to the annual Halton police torch run for Special Olympians. 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