Less than 48 hours before playing the final game of his CEPSUM career in the regular season, Maxym Lavallée remembers the words of Glen Constantin upon his arrival at Rouge et Or in 2018.
“Glen told us that winning in Montreal was more fun than winning a Bol d’Or,” the sixth-year defensive back said. During my first season in 2018, I realized he was right. Even though I didn’t play much in our win (12-7) in Montreal, I enjoyed every moment.”
Lavallée loves being in the hostile environment of CEPSUM. “It has one of the best soccer atmospheres in Canada and I love playing at CEPSUM. The players’ bench is very close to the stands and we can hear the screams of the fans. Intimidation is part of sport and I’m happy with this atmosphere.
Whether at PEPS or CEPSUM, these Rouge et Or Carabins games are unparalleled in Canada. “I can confirm that these are the most entertaining games,” said Lavallée. The preparation is different and everyone is excited.”
Lavallée still remembers his last visit to the home of the blues. “Playing at CEPSUM can unite us because of the animosity, but it can also divide us when things are not going well,” he confessed. When things started to go wrong at the 2021 Dunsmore Cup, we no longer saw eye to eye. We were a young team and learned a lot from this experience.
Special attention goes to Jonathan Sénécal
Although he enjoys playing at CEPSUM, Lavallée is fully aware that Saturday’s game will not be a walk in the park. “Jonathan Sénécal is one of the best quarterbacks in the country and they have good athletes at all positions,” he emphasized. The most important thing will be to progress and play every minute. If we have to go back to Montreal for the Dunsmore Cup, we will be there. We’re not going to let where we play define us.”
Sénécal is having a turbulent season. In the first game in Laval he caused major problems with his legs. He had 129 yards on nine carries, mostly in the second half.
“We can’t afford for him to gain another 100 yards,” Constantin admitted. Our linemen and linebackers must fulfill their responsibilities with discipline and respect their career paths.
Is Sénécal superior to Kyle Quinlan, who led the McMaster Marauders to the Vanier Cup title against Rouge et Or in Vancouver in 2011? A year later, Laval enjoyed his revenge against the same Maurauders and Quinlan in Toronto. “Both have good arms and speed, but Jonathan can read better.”