A step-up in competition and a new voice on the bench are two things the Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) Trojans can expect this year in the Winnipeg High School Football League.

The Trojans have been moved up into the AA category or Kas Vidruk Division after losing in the Currie/Vidruk Championship at Investors Group Field last season. They've also got a new head coach calling things from the sidelines in former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Donald Burrell. Burrell was lucky enough to help out with the club last season and took over the gig in the Spring when the Trojans held their 2017 Spring Camp.

"A lot of the guys out here now are in pretty good condition already," says Burrell. "I'm a little disappointed with the numbers here for the fall season. The first two workouts we had about 30 players when we were getting 50 at the spring camp. The boys and girls look like their ready to go and I'm excited about it. We're rocking two-a-days this week, they've got Saturday and Sunday off, and back at it Monday. We're going to be on this field every day getting ready to play."

Trojans' Coaches Mike Zerbrasky (right) and Donald Burrell (left) showing a few players where to be on the field. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

PCI went 6-1 last season and 2-1 in games they played at IGF. They lost a few key pieces to graduation like Gage Foster, Brandon Friesen, and a pair of strong offensive lineman in Teegan Beaulieu and Isaiah Pangman. Burrell says they'll be looking at Grade 12's like Tyler Fedak and Eric McCutchin to lead them on both sides of the game.

"I'm hoping my biggest strength will be Fedak on the offense, we also have Justice Flett, who got a silver medal with the U-16 team as well. So we've got some things on the offensive side that I'm looking forward to. We're putting some plays together for our quarterback Tyler Morris and our offensive line to carry us, and a strong defensive line with vets like Avery Spence and Eric McCutchin showing everyone how it's done out on the field."

The Trojans open their season September 7th against Kelvin at PCI Field in Portage.

Leadership Excites Players

Grade 11 quarterback Tyler Morris is looking forward to a good season back with the club. He's impressed at the rookie talent joining the team this year and says the new coaching staff is something everyone's excited about.

"We've got a lot of skilled players this year and a lot of rookies that are stepping up so it's a real exciting time," says Morris. "The coaching has been great this year. They've been doing a great job getting us set to go and we're all excited."

Morris getting set to pass at Tuesday's practice. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

"A lot of the rookies have some talent, including my little brother," laughs Tyler Fedak. "It's going to be fun to play a sport with my brother, but all of the rookies look good overall. They just have to put the work in to get their playing time."

Grade 12 linebacker Eric McCutchin's looking forward to the challenge and feels they'll be ready to go by then thanks to coach Burrell/

"We're definitely going to improve with all of this conditioning we're doing out here. It's nice to see everyone out and putting in the work leading up to the season too," says McCutcheon. "Everyone is here ready to work, but it's mostly the coaching. Donald went to Alabama for us to learn some new coaching techniques and strength and conditioning training. He's put a lot of time in it for us and I expect to do the same."

The Trojans will be on the field every evening at PCI field if you want to check them out before the season opener on September 7th.