It starts somewhere. For Grayson Javorsky, it's near the bottom of the Calgary Colts defensive-back (DB) depth chart. But the Bow Valley High School (BVHS) 2015 grad is undeterred as he participates in his first junior football main training camp.
It starts somewhere.
For Grayson Javorsky, it's near the bottom of the Calgary Colts defensive-back (DB) depth chart. But the Bow Valley High School (BVHS) 2015 grad is undeterred as he participates in his first junior football main training camp. He knows where he stands; waist deep in experienced players ahead of him on the roster.
Seventeen DBs were on hand for Colts third full day of summer training camp July 25 at Edge School in Springbank. A team will typically dress 7-9 DBs for a game depending on the defensive scheme.
“There are two fifth-year guys who just got here, ” Javorsky says of two DBs transferring from B.C. Junior Football League's Vancouver Island Raiders.
“It's a lot higher level of play, ” he says of adjusting to Prairie Junior Football Conference ball out of high school. “I'm not the guy who can push kids around any more. I'm getting pushed around now. I have to take time to get bigger and stronger. ”
Colts defensive-backs coach Aaron “Sarge ” Sayer understands the challenge facing Javorsky in his rookie junior season. He also likes what he sees in the 5-foot-8 pitbull who played receiver and defensive back for BVHS Bobcats in his senior year and was a mainstay in Cochrane high school rugby this spring. Sayer currently has Javorsky patrolling the Colts defensive backfield at safety.
“He's been fitting in really well. He has a very good understanding of what an offence wants to do. He's able to read their plays pretty well. And he's pretty fast, which is good, ” Sayer reports. “He definitely can get up in the air quite well. He's got a little bit of fight in him, too, so he's not going to give up on a play. ”
But sometimes, to protect your own guys, you have to pull up on a play.
“It's hard right now because we can't go too hard on the offensive players, ” Javorsky laments. “At safety, you are always full-tilt. I probably could have had a huge hit today, but it was questionable if I would go for it or not.
“You don't want to hurt anyone. ”
For now Javorsky will continue grinding it out in training camp “two-a-days ” and post-camp practices until Colts play an Aug. 8 exhibition tilt vs. Regina in Medicine Hat.
“He's a talented-enough guy that he'll be able to dress for home games and, hopefully, get in on special teams, ” coach Sayer surmises of his rookie safety. “Right now we're getting quite loaded, top-end heavy for our top-7 players. But he's definitely a guy who can push and challenge for a special-teams position. ”
