Evan Lechlitner realizes he isn’t the “centre” of attention when he’s playing football.
But that doesn’t bother him one bit.
“You almost become a family working on the O line, everybody has to be really close and I’ve played with a lot of good guys since my junior days at Widdifield, we have played many seasons together and I love playing centre because you start the game off, you snap the ball and if you mess up your snap then nothing can happen,” said Lechlitner.
The 18-year-old Widdifield Wildcats centre will be taking his skills to York University of the OUA next season. He will be joined by Franco Cite Patriotes linebacker Lex Brazeau on the university team next season.
Lechlitner says he got noticed by the OUA Football team after attending a northern football combine held in Sudbury.
“I had a few schools talk to me but York stood out the most to me,” he said.
“When I went down to visit I really felt at home and I really like the coaches and where the program is going.”
Wildcats football coach Sean Mullan will miss Lechlitner’s 6’4”, 280 pound frame on his line next season.
“As a player, his work ethic at practice was always great. He was a leader to his teammates, and the coaching staff recognized this by making him a game captain for most of our games this past season,” said Mullan about his NDA All-Star.
“Evan has been blessed with great size and strength, but he has worked hard at improving his footwork and foot speed in the last few years. He has played and practiced three different positions on the offensive line, guard, tackle & center. He has also filled in on the defensive line when needed.”
While Lechlitner believes he is a long shot to make York’s starting lineup in the fall of 2015, that hasn’t stopped him from wanting to get better. He will continue to try and improve by playing for the Nipissing Wild Under-19 Varsity football team this spring.
Making waves?
Lechlitner has some unique training techniques. As a former competitive swimmer with both the Thunderbirds and Titans, he has found his pool time to be a great benefit to his game.
“What I have told coaches before that I used to be a competitive swimmer and I still do it to keep in shape they give me a strange look because it’s not a really common activity for football players but I think its really helped me and I hope more guys get into it because it really develops all the muscles in your body and works on your core strength at the same time, it’s just an awesome sport.”
Development
Lechlitner also credits the three tiers of football (Bulldogs, NDA and Wild) in the city for helping him get to the position he is at, while developing other future college football athletes down the road.
“I think it really just shows how well the leagues from midget to junior football have improved football in North Bay and us elite guys who are going on to that next level, we have really become a positive influence on a lot of people especially at Widdifield I tried to encourage a lot of people to come out and play this great sport.”
