Even though there is no longer a challenge in the table for Vert & Or’s visit to the University of Sherbrooke on Sunday, the Rouge et Or want to end the regular season with a good result.
The Rouge et Or will finish the season in second place overall, no matter what happens in the next two weeks. “It’s an important game for both teams,” said head coach Glen Constantin. We want to do well in all three facets of the game to enter the playoffs on a positive note. Sherbrooke is fighting for a playoff spot.”
Constantin liked what he saw when he returned to work on Wednesday evening. “The training went at a good pace, the boys were focused and there was good energy,” he said. I felt a renewal. The attention to detail makes great things happen.”
The Vert & Or also want to recover from the heavy 39:7 defeat at Concordia. “Regardless of the opponent,” said Constantin, “we have to live up to our standards and not worry about the other team.” We haven’t seen Sherbrooke since the first game of the season, but they are a team that has the ball runs well and their defense is aggressive.
Additional motivation for the Vert & Or?
Still looking for a first win after six losses, will the Vert & Or capitalize on receiver Kevin Mital’s statement after the loss to Montreal? “Such statements will be found in the dressing room and all the better if they motivate Sherbrooke as they force us to perform better,” Constantin said. Kevin speaks often and this forces his teammates to support his words.
Mital had made the Rouge et Or’s intentions clear. “It’s boring but Sherbrooke will volley because they are the team that will stand in our way in the next game.”
Flowers for Justin CloutieR
Used in multiple formations, even if he is not yet in the starting position, Justin Cloutier agrees. “We have to play at our level,” the first-year linebacker said. We have to go back to basics. We must make progress. It’s fun that I see more and more action. I want to take the team to another level.”
Constantin had good words for the defensive player par excellence in Division 1 in 2022 and 2023 in the Limoilou Titans jersey.
“There would be more recruits on the field if everyone played like Justin,” he said. Justin is a candidate for RSEQ Rookie of the Year.
Constantin doesn’t question his flock’s desire for a one-sided defeat in Montreal. “It’s not a question of will,” he assured. We made a lot of mistakes and to Montreal’s credit they dominated us in all three aspects of the game. The interception at the start of the game took our breath away. We were missing several players, which explains certain things but is not an excuse.
More than 13,000 tickets were sold for this final game of the regular season.