Nationals’ bruiser heading out east

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/04/2014 (4494 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Marc Kirouac powered through the Midget Football League of Manitoba this past summer, and he hopes to keep it up out east.

Kirouac, a 17-year-old student at Collège Lorette Collegiate, rumbled for 1,127 yards on 119 rushes for the Transcona Nationals this past season, both good for second in the circuit behind North Winnipeg’s Blake Bernert.

However, his 17 touchdowns were tops in the circuit, and he achieved the numbers while playing just six of Transcona’s eight games due to a hamstring sprain. He played through an MCL sprain later in the season, taping up his knee in order to get out on the field.

Kirouac was nominated for the Most Valuable Player — Offence award at the league’s awards banquet in November, though St. Vital’s Brandon Sitch ultimately took home the trophy.
After the season, Kirouac began contacting universities, and received immediate interest from the Mount Allison Mounties. The 6-1, 235-pound fullback noted his brawn is what helps him power through defenders to pay dirt. The commitment was made official last month.

“My strength is my greatest attribute,” Kirouac said, “to truck people, (for) stiff-arming.”

Before heading to Sackville, N.B. this fall, Kirouac will look to increase his speed and strength as he trains this off-season.

He doesn’t expect to start right away, as few rookies are regulars, but he feels his skill will help endear him to the coaching staff.

“They like the run game, too,” he said.

Kirouac, a Ste. Anne resident, played eight seasons with the Eastman Raiders before opting to join the Nationals for this past season.

He hopes to use his university experience as a springboard to professional football, though he plans to take business courses at Mount Allison as a fallback.

“I’d like to make it as far as I can (in football),” he said.

Three of Kirouac’s Nationals teammates received league awards at season’s end. Linebacker Jeremy Withoos nabbed the Most Valuable Player – Defence award and the MFLM President’s Award, while defensive lineman Vaughn Knapp was the Matt Sheridan Lineman of the Year. As well, placekicker Tony Wolfe was named Special Teams Player of the Year.

All four players were named to the League All-Star squad with teammates Keenan Onyebuchi (defensive back) and Alex Carriere (offensive lineman), while Onyebuchi, offensive lineman Martin Gut, and defensive back Bailey Clegg were named to the league’s All-Rookie Team.

Facebook.com/TheHeraldWpg
Twitter: @HeraldWPG