Kerbens Boisette can best be described as well-rounded, the young football player having experience on all sides of the ball, from wide receiver to defensive back and even playing some reps as a running back and quarterback. 

Boisette is currently on tryout with the Myers Riders varsity team, which accepts players under the age of 19. He made his football debut in 2012, playing three seasons in the National Capital Amateur Football Association and one season in the OVFL.  

“One of my friends at school suggested that I am pretty athletic and he suggested that I should try out for his team [the Bell Warriors] and I made it,” said Boisette of how he started playing football.

“I was a pretty speedy guy I guess. I was pretty fast. So the coach suggested I play running back and I could catch so they wanted me to play receiver as well,” Boisette said. 

Despite alternating positions, Boisette’s main position is wide receiver. It is only appropriate that he draws inspiration from Jerry Rice, a former receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. Boisette praises Rice’s dynamic play and his passion for the game.

“After a loss, he motivates himself and he plays to get better. He’s a leader and I believe he is not as ‘loud’ as other players, he works in silence and let’s his success shout,” Boisette said. 

While he may draw inspiration from the former pro, Boisette also explains he has someone who helps motivate him off the gridiron, one of his teachers, Mathew Gohier. Boisette says that although he not one of his coaches, Gohier knows the game and supports him and gives him advice about his education and football.

This emphasis on education has stuck with the young receiver, who said that his goal for his football career is to get into university and continue to play. He said that “basically it is education before football.” Boisette also explained that he is into communications, psychology, and essentially studying people. 

While Boisette is trying to break the Myers Riders roster, a team that has “been amazing, won a few championships, and has been killing it” in the past few years, he looks fondly back on his NCAFA days.

“My first year of playing football, me and my team went to the A-Cup and it was just an amazing memory,” Boisette said. “Unfortunately we went home with the loss, but it was still overall one of my best football memories.” 

As for this year, Boisette said, “I want to be successful in the best way I can, support my family, support my friends, and just make everyone around me feel appreciated and feel loved.”

From his dedication to not only his sport, but to his education and his family and friends, Boisette is indeed a well-rounded individual both on and off the field. 

Kerbens Boisette is part of the House Edge Sports Network, which is a network that aids in promoting and marketing amateur athletes in North America. Register as athlete for free at www.hesn.co

Those who cannot do, teach, but there is no denying the fact that Hickson can both do and teach. The center shows no signs of giving up his football career, which has been nine years in the making. 

Hickson’s first team was the Canterbury Mustangs (now known as the South Ottawa Mustangs) and in 2012, he played with the Gloucester Raiders until he landed with the Cumberland Panthers Junior Varsity team in 2013/2014. 

“I had a cousin who played it (football) and it was recommended. It was something that he suggested I try and I did it at the time and I liked it,” Hickson said of his football debut. 

Despite being a well-seasoned veteran of the sport, Hickson’s dedication to football seemed to have developed more when he made the NCAFA all-star team. Hickson said, “I felt really accomplished because it was the first time I really taken football seriously and I honestly felt proud of myself for something I had done in the sport.” 

Hickson credits one of his peewee coaches from the Mustangs, Coach Roy Marsaw, as a source of inspiration. He said that, “In all honesty, he would probably be the first coach that I’ve ever had who really inspired me and looked at me as having talent and potential.” 

And of course, there is Troy Polamalu, the former safety of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, who Hickson admires for his style of play and his aggressiveness on the field. 

When he was player, Polamalu was considered to be a leader on the Steelers team, a position Hickson also wishes to embrace in his own Panthers locker room. He also is looking to continue playing and coaching football for as long as possible. 
“At the moment, the next level would be university for me,” Hickson said. “So I really hope to make it to the next level and I also really hope I can continue coaching football at any level.” 

With Hickson’s impressive list of offensive line achievements, his football students should pay close attention to ever bit of wisdom this all-star has to offer. 

Isaiah Hickson is part of the House Edge Sports Network, which is a network that aids in promoting and marketing amateur athletes in North America. Visit them at www.hesn.co