Full-on attack mode: Attitude and style of play key focal points for the Sault Steelers offence

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The Sault Steelers offence is in attack mode early on.

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The local entry in the Northern Football Conference is revamping its offence with an aggresive style and in-your-face attitude that is sure to please its small, yet loyal fan base.

Currently, the team is practicing at an undisclosed location, actuating these stylistic ideals for the upcoming gridiron season.

“I want the offence to be hard-nosed,” Steelers GM Jon Bujold told The Sault Star. “Sault Ste. Marie’s reputation, historically, has always been a team that is going to run the ball down your throat, let the defence keep the game close and take the top off when the opportunity is there, to go for the home run play.”

The schedule for the Steelers is not yet publicly available.

Ultimately, the Steelers want to create an offensive identity that is pleasing to the eye.

“There isn’t much about the defence I am interested in changing as we have a championship level defence, but we are trying to make a more attractive brand of football that represents our city,” Bujold said. “It will be more of a lunchbox, blue collar team.”

Last season the defence surrendered 82 points in six regular-season games while the offence averaged exactly 11 points per. The Steelers finished the regular season with a 3-3 record, losing 27-0 to the GTA All Stars in the first round of the playoffs.

Bujold added two players to the offensive line in former St. Mary’s Knights lineman Nick Carter and former Korah Colts centre Marcus Graham. Steelers defensive lineman Brandon Southwind has switched his allegiance to the offensive side.

“Southwind is making a sacrifice to play in a position that is his least favourite, but he knows it’s necessary for us to get better,” Bujold said.

Without diving too deep into the weeds of the playbook, Bujold also envisions revamped roles for steel city holdovers Brock Hoover and Steve Hiiemma. Former Queen’s running back and Superior Heights grad Mitchell DellaVedova is also coming on board for the season.

“That is a pretty good three-headed monster for the running back core, in my opinion,” Bujold said. “Last year we led the league in rushing yards, and I want to invest more in getting more dynamic and multi-dimensional with the running game. That is going to be the focus of the offence, to at least start the season.”

Longtime running back Alonzo Clarke retired during the off-season.

“It is well-deserved,” Bujold said. “Clarke has had a long career with us.”

Bujold believes his “three-headed monster” backfield can assist in meeting or exceeding his modest expectations.

“If we put up 17 points a game I don’t know if there is a team that beats us with the defence we have,” Bujold said.

Ultimately, the GM wants to create a home-field advantage based on speed and a little bit of good ‘ol smash mouth.

“I want teams to not look forward to playing us,” Bujold said. “I want our blocking schemes to be known for their aggressive angles of attack while forcing the defence to play tough.  That is the philosophy I am looking for. That is what Sault Ste. Marie football has always been about.”

A temporary take over

In addition to his role as GM, Bujold will also take over as the offensive coordinator for this season. Bujold took the job about a month ago.

“Our head coach and offensive coordinator from last year, Darryl Woods, is taking a partial step back because his profession is demanding from Monday to Friday,” Bujold said. “To attend practice consistently is going to be an issue and you can’t be running the offence if you aren’t at every practice. We don’t want to waste the opportunity because I believe we are going to be competitive.”