Kevin Oldfield returns to anchor Chargers line
2004-09-21
by Randy Pascal

http://www.sudburysports.com/

Considering he took up the sport of football just over two years ago, Kevin Oldfield from Confederation High-School would have to be considered a quick study. After being named to the varsity football all-star team on both the offensive and defensive lines one year ago, Oldfield spent the past summer centering NFC Hall of Famer Paul Gauthier, earning rave reviews from Spartans coaching staff.

This fall he returns to anchor the Chargers line as they attempt to repeat as city champions and earn a berth in the inaugural NOSSA Football championship. Born in Sudbury, Oldfield had played organized baseball growing up in Valley East but became involved with the push to bring varsity football to Confederation a few years ago. "In Grade eight, I was a pretty big kid so it seemed natural for me to give the sport a try" said Oldfield.

Starting his high-school career as an offensive guard, Oldfield quickly made the move to defense as well. "I really like the contact" notes Oldfield, whose most memorable moment occured in the 2003 championship game when he rocked a Lasalle ball carrier, causing the turnover as the Chargers surprised the favoured Lancers. His summer with the Sudbury Spartans allowed Oldfield to concentrate solely on his offensive line play and he quickly noticed the improvement.

"My snaping is so much better and I learned so much to help me improve my technique" said Oldfield. But Spartans coach John MacLean noted during the summer that the biggest thing that caught his eye immediately about Oldfield's play was how solid his technique was at such a young age, a testament to the work of Chargers coach Kevin Ellsworth and his staff. "I really enjoyed just playing offense this summer" said Oldfield. "Making a good block really gets you pumped up."

While he admits that he was a pretty quiet kid in his first tryout with the team, Oldfield has gradually taken on a strong leadership role with the Confederation crew. "He's always so positive, so coachable and his work ethic is unbelievable" notes Ellsworth of his prized lineman. "Everyone was so new when I first started...now, I try to give helpful advice a little more" acknowledges the 18 year-old Grade 12 student.

"I would really like to go on and play university football" states Oldfield of his dreams for the sport he loves. But for now, he's hoping to help Confederation rebound from an opening game loss to St Charles College and lead them to another year of post-season success.