Sault Steelers leave the NFC for the Ontario Power 5 Football League

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The ground has shifted for semi-pro football in Ontario.

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The Sault Steelers, along with three other teams from the Northern Football Conference, merged into a new league called the Ontario Power 5 Football League.

“We are thrilled to unveil the Ontario Power 5 Football League, a platform where the rich football heritage of Ontario can shine brighter than ever before,” league president Barry Rushon said in a press release. “With the Sudbury Spartans, Sarnia Imperials, Tri City Outlaws, and Sault Steelers leading the charge, the P5FL is poised to captivate football fans across the province and beyond.”

The other teams moving over from the NFC include the Sudbury Spartans, Sarnia Imperials and the Tri City Outlaws. A fifth franchise will join the league next season. The name of the team has not been released.

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“The Ontario Power 5 Football League represents a new era of competitive football, where talent, dedication, and community spirit converge on the gridiron,” the release said. “From historic rivalries to thrilling showdowns, the P5FL promises to deliver unforgettable moments and unforgettable football.”

The Spartans host the Steelers at James Jerome Sports Complex on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

The Sarnia Imperials host the Tri City Outlaws in Sarnia at Norm Perry Park with 7pm kickoff.

Quite apropos

In addition to joining a new league, Steelers general manager John Bujold, who was involved in the club’s move to the new league, is excited about the new direction of the team’s offence.

Bujold is also the offensive coordinator this season as Darryl Wood is taking a step back because of work commitments.

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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 in a previous interview with The Sault Star. “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.”

Ultimately, the GM wants to create a home-field advantage based on speed and physicality.

“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.”

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The squad has been sequestered at an unknown locale for a couple of months, Bujold quiet about the entire scope of the offence, lest the opposition discover his intentions prior to the opener on Saturday night.

“I don’t want to give away too much on the new philosophy because I don’t want to tip off the team we are facing on Week 1,” Bujold said. “I think the offence is going to catch some teams off guard.”

Despite the recent off the field distractions, the GM assures the team is ready for the lid-lifter in the Nickel City.

“I think it is going great,” Bujold said. “Our leaders are buying in with one of the healthiest practice cultures we’ve had in a long time. The guys are showing up, wanting to work and wanting to get better.

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“Our leadership group is probably as good as its been since we were a championship team in 2010. We just have so many strong leaders on our team now.”

Plug in the Hoover

Earlier this year the club signed ex- Edmonton Elks safety Jordan Hoover. Bujold says the football brain of the Sault resident is a major ‘X’ factor for a defence that allowed, on average, 11 points per game last season.

“Jordan is going to stand out on his own as football is a science to him,” Bujold said. “When he was doing indoor practices with us, he was calling out the routes we were about to run before the offence ran them. He is that much of a football savant because he was surrounded by people, that was their full-time job. You have to know the game at a high level to be that guy.

“He will have an impressive season. I have no doubt about that. He is going to make life difficult for quarterback that is for sure.”

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