The PCI Trojans Football team is set to hit the field next week in preparation for the upcoming season and the person guiding the squad will be a familiar face. After being a part of previous head coach Jill Fast's coaching team last year, Brendon Brydges will take on the top duties for 2022/2023.  

Brydges is actually a former player on the squad and says he is very excited about the opportunity.

"Getting back into football last year for the first time in a few years with Jill was great. I was happy she gave me a call to come out and help out. With her moving on this year, I threw my name into the mix and was lucky enough to kind of get the job"

The new head coach grew up in Portage and football has been a big part of his life.

"I was on the Pitbulls when they first came to town and continued on with the high school program. After that I went to Brandon University and played a little bit in the leagues there. To get the opportunity to come back to PCI and help out and become the head coach is exciting"

The program has been a huge success at the local high school since it was introduced about 15 years ago. The new head coach was a part of those beginnings and a part of the only championship team the school has seen so far.

"My biggest memory was winning the championship in my grade 11 year. (2009) I'm gonna do my absolute best to give these kids that same experience. I have a few coaches on staff that were also part of that, we hope to bring that championship experience into the program and cultivate that kind of atmosphere"

Brydges notes a some of the coaching staff from last year will be back and there will be some new faces as well.

"Darren Roberts and miles Irwin are coming back and helping out again this year, but yeah, we've got a handful of new faces with fresh ideas and different experiences. Some wanted to get into coaching and just haven't had the opportunity. So I'm really excited to get some of these former players to help out with the program"

As far as what the new head coach expects from this year's team? He says dedication and hard work are what he is looking for.

"Come work hard. Get into the playbook. We only have 10 practices before our first game, so we really need to practice hard. Really buy into the program and atmosphere that we're trying to build"

Even though the school year is still a few weeks away, Trojan hopefuls will be taking to the field next Tuesday for their first practice as the team opens up tryouts at PCI field.

Brendon Brydges footballBrydges running the ball back in his playing days at PCI