DM says Jones will be invited to Training Camp
Esks, Jones hook up
Maciocia says Wildcats star will be invited to training camp
By JOHN SHORT, SPECIAL TO THE EDMONTON SUN
Whatever happens in the rest of his junior football career, Edmonton Wildcats running back Tristan Jones can make plans for next summer.
"I've already identified him as somebody I want to invite to training camp next year," Edmonton Eskimos head coach Danny Maciocia said yesterday.
During a news conference to set up the 1 p.m. clash today between the Wildcats and the St. Leonard Cougars in a Canadian Junior Football League semifinal, Maciocia praised the record-setting Jones for "running with his eyes."
Maciocia's schedule prevented him from seeing more than a few quarters of the Wildcats season, but "when the offensive line creates a crack, a corridor, a lane - whatever you call it - Tristan has the knack of seeing it and exploding right on through."
Already the Eskimos have three former top Prairie Conference juniors on the roster: running back Jared Winkel and long snapper Cale Inglis are former Wildcats; defensive back J.R. LaRose was part of two national championships with the Edmonton Huskies.
Maciocia, a former St. Leonard head coach, was also high on the potential of visiting punter-placekicker Christopher Milo. They were together as part of Canada's national team.
"He is a legitimate kicking talent," the coach said. "In Detroit, every kickoff was a touchback and I think he made every field goal he tried in the competition.
"It's obvious that he has the ability to move to a higher level, especially if he gets some extra time in the weight room."
Milo is a slim 170-pounder who impressed during the summer at Montreal Alouettes training camp. "Chris knows he has to get stronger," said Maciocia.
"He knows what I think and I believe he'll do it to help himself."
Today's meeting marks the first time in a couple of decades that both teams (8-0) are undefeated in the Intergold Cup semifinal. The winner advances against the survivor of the B.C. final between the Okanagan Sun and the Vancouver Island Raiders.
Wildcats coach Gary Durchik and St. Leonard boss Tony Iadeluca Jr. agreed the snowy conditions should not favour one team. "We both have to play on it," said Durchik.
Iadeluca said this year's team is much different from the squad that lost to the Huskies at home last year in the final.
"Now we're ball control," he said. "Last year, we threw the ball a lot."
If the Cougars defence led by linebacker Devin Kavanagh fails to control the brilliant Jones behind Edmonton's stalwart offensive line, it could be a long day.
Maciocia says Wildcats star will be invited to training camp
By JOHN SHORT, SPECIAL TO THE EDMONTON SUN
Whatever happens in the rest of his junior football career, Edmonton Wildcats running back Tristan Jones can make plans for next summer.
"I've already identified him as somebody I want to invite to training camp next year," Edmonton Eskimos head coach Danny Maciocia said yesterday.
During a news conference to set up the 1 p.m. clash today between the Wildcats and the St. Leonard Cougars in a Canadian Junior Football League semifinal, Maciocia praised the record-setting Jones for "running with his eyes."
Maciocia's schedule prevented him from seeing more than a few quarters of the Wildcats season, but "when the offensive line creates a crack, a corridor, a lane - whatever you call it - Tristan has the knack of seeing it and exploding right on through."
Already the Eskimos have three former top Prairie Conference juniors on the roster: running back Jared Winkel and long snapper Cale Inglis are former Wildcats; defensive back J.R. LaRose was part of two national championships with the Edmonton Huskies.
Maciocia, a former St. Leonard head coach, was also high on the potential of visiting punter-placekicker Christopher Milo. They were together as part of Canada's national team.
"He is a legitimate kicking talent," the coach said. "In Detroit, every kickoff was a touchback and I think he made every field goal he tried in the competition.
"It's obvious that he has the ability to move to a higher level, especially if he gets some extra time in the weight room."
Milo is a slim 170-pounder who impressed during the summer at Montreal Alouettes training camp. "Chris knows he has to get stronger," said Maciocia.
"He knows what I think and I believe he'll do it to help himself."
Today's meeting marks the first time in a couple of decades that both teams (8-0) are undefeated in the Intergold Cup semifinal. The winner advances against the survivor of the B.C. final between the Okanagan Sun and the Vancouver Island Raiders.
Wildcats coach Gary Durchik and St. Leonard boss Tony Iadeluca Jr. agreed the snowy conditions should not favour one team. "We both have to play on it," said Durchik.
Iadeluca said this year's team is much different from the squad that lost to the Huskies at home last year in the final.
"Now we're ball control," he said. "Last year, we threw the ball a lot."
If the Cougars defence led by linebacker Devin Kavanagh fails to control the brilliant Jones behind Edmonton's stalwart offensive line, it could be a long day.
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