He's a three-time Champion with the Dauphin Clippers on the football field, and now Dauphin's Cole Precourt is set to take his talents and winning ways to Winnipeg.
The 17-year-old high school graduate will join the St. James Rods. The Rods play in the Manitoba Major Junior Football League.
"One of their coaches got in touch with me, and said they needed another solid DB for their core," said Precourt. "I decided it's a perfect opportunity for me. It's going to be a great place to play."
Cole initially tried out for the Winnipeg Rifles who play in the Canadian Junior Football League but was let go near the end of tryouts. However, Cole feels playing for the Rods is a better opportunity for himself to get better, and develop his game.
"I honestly think it's a lot better playing for the Rods, opposed to playing for the Rifles," said Precourt. "Who knows how much I would have played with the Rifles... but I'll be playing a lot with the Rods, and that'll allow me to get better each time out."
Cole won't be the only Champion from Dauphin joining the Rods, however. Ty Hassell and Steven Zurba have also both signed on to play with the team. With the three Clippers Champions joining the Rods, Cole has a good feeling that'll add to the team's success.
"We're definitely helping out some of the team, and making sure everyone has a positive attitude," added Precourt. "The coach's love us, and they know we're winners."
Precourt and the rest of the Rods will play their first game on August 25 against the Wolverines. Despite game day being 26 days away, the team has already hit the field as they prepare, and Cole's enjoying how things are going.
"I've already been to a few practices, and the players are super nice," said Precourt. "I've got a good handle on the systems already, which is great. The defensive coordinator is also a great guy, and he's helping me a lot individually so I can succeed. It's been a great experience so far, and I'm really looking forward to the season getting underway."
Despite winning three straight Championships in the RMFL, Cole knows playing in a new league with older players will be a tough transition for him.
"It's definitely going to be tough on me," said Precourt. "There's going to be a bunch of skilled guys that I'm going to have to cover and adapt too. It's going to be a challenge, but I'm ready for it."
"I just want to do my best, contribute to the team, and win another Championship," said Precourt. "And by doing my best, it doesn't necessarily mean racking up the stats, it's just doing whatever needs to be done to win games."
The Rods play a six-game regular season schedule wrapping up on October 13.
