Sault College Cougars football team sign three Sault players

Article content

From zero to three in a matter of days.

Article content

With zero fanfare, the Sault College Cougars football program signed its first recruits late last month.

Sault Sabercats defensive lineman Ashton Sawchyn, Sabercats defensive back Landen Trecartin and ‘Cats quarterback Matti Tucker pledged their allegiance to head coach Paul Orazietti and the college Cougars.

“I met with them all on the same day and I said I was looking for some decisions in the next month and a half,” Orazietti told The Sault Star. “I just wanted them to say they were in or out. That way I could go out west and into Southern Ontario to recruit.”

And while the order of the signings didn’t make a difference to the head coach, technically speaking, there was an order in the return of the signed documents.

Article content

“The first guy to bring his paperwork back was Sawchyn,” Orazietti said. “And then the second guy to bring his paperwork was Tucker and then Trecartin.”

“I am excited for a new opportunity and a fresh start,” Tucker said. “I am excited because Orazietti is our head coach, and I am very excited for the opportunity.”

“I was looking into universities, but I like the idea of the program and being part of someone new,” Sawchyn added. “I am excited to stay home.”

The Cougars were officially welcomed to the Canadian Junior Football League and the Ontario Football Conference on Nov. 21 of last year. The Cougars will start OFC play in the summer of 2025.

Teams in the OFC include the Quinte Skyhawks, GTA Grizzlies, St. Clair Saints, London Beefeaters, Hamilton Hurricanes and the Ottawa Sooners.

Article content

Trecartin jumped at the opportunity to play locally because OCAA ball will further his football life and, more importantly, solidify his personal life as well.

“This is going to be easier for me,” Trecartin said. “There is too much going on in my life to go away. I am extremely excited, and I know my girlfriend is too.”

Inquiring minds want to know why 

Tucker led the Sabercats to a 9-0 record and an Ontario Summer Football League AA championship last August, following up with an OFSSA Western Bowl appearance in late November with the St. Mary’s Knights.

“Tucker is one of the best local quarterbacks to come through the city in a long time,” the Sabercats current offensive coordinator said. “I am excited to work with him this summer so that we can get on the same page going into the college season. He is a guy who likes to get better, and he works hard to get better. His development is right on par with becoming a good junior football player.”

Article content

Last season, Orazietti was the special teams coordinator for the Sabercats. As previously mentioned, he is the OC this season.

Trecartin played for the Sabercats last summer and was also on the Knights squad that lost 33-0 to the London South CI Lions in the championship game on Nov. 27.

“Trecartin is a veteran guy who is cagey and athletic,” Orazietti said. “He plays his position well and has been one of the best defensive backs in the city for the last two or three years. He is mature and will make a nice addition to the defensive side for the Cougars.”

Orazietti is excited with the physical skills and positional flexibility of Sawchyn. Sawchyn played high school ball for Tom Annett at Korah Collegiate. Sawchyn was with the varsity ‘Cats last season and will kick it with the ‘Cats once more this summer, prior to his upcoming college career that starts next summer.

“He is super versatile and has great length and he is a big athlete at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds,” Orazietti said. “He can be an offensive lineman and he can be a defensive lineman. He is a character guy and I like everything about him. I am excited about him coming to Sault College.”

Article content