At times, it seems, Gideone Kremler has to just pinch himself.
The Grade 9 quarterback has the good fortune 鈥� and incredible athletic prowess 鈥� to be leading the Mount Douglas Rams to the potential of not just one, but two sa国际传媒 Subway Bowl championships this afternoon.
All at the tender age of 14.
He鈥檒l first direct the Junior Varsity club against the New Westminster Hyacks at 1:30 p.m. at sa国际传媒 Place. At 7 p.m., he will attempt to deliver a fourth senior provincial title in five years with the triple-A Rams, who face the Vancouver College Fighting Irish in another massive matchup.
鈥淭his has been awesome,鈥� Kremler said. 鈥淚 say it a lot, and I know I say it a lot, but I鈥檓 here to just play football and that鈥檚 what I love to do. I will gladly take every single one of the opportunities I get.
鈥淚 really do have to [pinch myself]. It鈥檚 incredible to be in not one, but two of these games, especially against two quality teams like this. They are going to be two very interesting, incredible games to watch and to play in.鈥�
In both games, he and the Rams will attempt to avenge previous losses as the Hyacks out-lasted the Mount Doug JV team 47-46 in a wild offensive showing back on Oct. 23 in which Kremler ran for four touchdowns while Sammy Sidhu scampered for five scores for New West. The seniors lost a 20-0 game to the Irish in which receiver Gavin Cobb was injured.
Vancouver College鈥檚 offensive line play was impressive as was quarterback Jacob Samuels鈥� performance as he stretched the field and hit some very timely passes. The swarming defence kept the Rams off the scoreboard and the Irish will be favourites today.
鈥淚n my head, every team is beatable. It depends on how you prepare for it,鈥� said Kremler, who has certainly has shown his composure with incredible maturity for someone who still has three more years of senior football eligibility.
Rams head coach Mark Townsend has incredible faith in the youngster, even in two finals.
鈥淚f anybody can do it, it鈥檚 Gideone. He is such an awesome young man. He鈥檚 had such a great year with both teams,鈥� said Townsend, who has seen talent come through both programs the last five years in the likes of Vanier Cup champions Terrell and Marcus Davis.
鈥淲e haven鈥檛 had one as a Grade 9,鈥� said Townsend. 鈥淗e鈥檚 done a phenomenal job and he鈥檚 made the transition seem absolutely seamless.鈥�
Kremler will likely play an even bigger role as the Rams are probably without all-star running back Declann Michielin, who was injured in last week鈥檚 semifinal win over Terry Fox. If that鈥檚 the case, Manny Lopez will carry more of the load.
But the Rams have surprised more than one team over the last five years in providing options on offence. They also have the league offensive MVP in Cobb.
鈥淲e鈥檙e planning on Declann not being available, which you have to plan for. If he is able to play [today] 鈥� which I would say is unlikely 鈥� it would be a huge early Christmas present,鈥� said Townsend. 鈥淣ot having him there is a huge blow to us, but maybe this will be a rallying point for us.
鈥淢anny has come on and played his best football on offence and defence of late,鈥� added Townsend.
Lopez, meanwhile, is preparing as he does every week as a solid senior with the club.
鈥淎s far as I know Double Deuces [Michielin, who wears No. 22] is going to try and be out there, but I more than welcome the workload and I know the offensive line is ready to go. I鈥檓 used to the workload and the plays,鈥� added Lopez, who would love to avenge last year鈥檚 Subway Bowl loss to South Delta, which snapped three straight titles.
鈥淲e didn鈥檛 quite get it last year, but I would love to finish it off right this year,鈥� he stressed.
