It’s been a season to remember so far for the Kamloops Broncos and Squamish’s Adam Stangowitz has been enjoying the ride.
The 2014 Howe Sound Secondary School (HSSS) graduate has started every game for the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) club, who are off to one of their best starts in club history at six wins and two losses.
Stangowitz, who starred for the Howe Sound Sounders in high school, said it was an adjustment but he’s fitting in well in Kamloops.
“It’s going really well,” he said. “It was definitely tough at the start but you have to rise to the challenge and it’s been a pretty smooth transition overall.”
He’s been alternating between playing defensive end and defensive tackle and has been a nice addition to the team said Broncos head coach Duncan Olthuis.
“He’s fitting in quite well and is a great personality and great kid,” Olthuis said. “The guys really like him and he has a lot of size and speed. He still has lots to learn but he’s getting there and you can see the improvement from when he first got here.”
Olthuis explained that Ƶappis on the Broncos radar after former Sounders star Cory Constantin played one season in Kamloops.
“We’re familiar with Ƶappbecause of Cory and Adam caught me eye after watching him at the Senior Bowl earlier this year,” Olthuis said.
The Broncos have high hopes for 2014 and sit in third place in their division. Olthuis said a number of factors have led to the strong season.
“Our offence has truly blossomed,” he said. “Our goal at the start of the season was to win six games but now we want to be able to host a home playoff game. Getting out of round one of the playoffs would also be huge but it will be tough.”
Stangowitz has played every game and said it’s been a great chance to develop his skills.
“My goal was to be able to start every game but each practice is like a competition and no one’s starting job is secure,” he said. “If you take a day off you may not start but I’m just blessed to have the opportunity to play so much.”
He said he needs to work on staying lower during game action, footwork and leverage. He also hopes to get bigger and stronger during the offseason for 2015. He said he likes the Broncos chances in the postseason.
“I’m confident in our team,” he said. “I believe we have a good chance to do well in the playoffs and run with the big dogs. We’d love to get a home playoff game and it would be so huge for the organization and the city.”
Kamloops is 6-2 with two games remaining in the regular season. They host the Vancouver Island Raiders on Saturday (Sept. 27) and then play the Okanagan Sun in Kelowna on Oct. 5 to end the regular season.
For more information on the team, visit www.kamloopsbroncos.com.