The 18-year-old Amherst native will get to put his skills to the test with his new team on Saturday when the Acadia Axemen travel to Sackville, N.B. to open the 2017 Atlantic University Sport football season.
“It’s going to be kind of cool to be stepping onto that field and playing against some of my former teammates. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Cormier, who attended Tantramar High School the last four years. “I’m sure I’ll be a little nervous, but I’m looking forward to it and hoping to get our first win of the season.”
Cormier, who had opportunities to play at several universities and colleges before choosing Acadia, got to play his first game last Saturday in the rain in Wolfville when the Axemen hosted the Saint Mary’s Huskies. Cormier got to see action at his defensive end position.
“It felt good being out there,” he said of the game against Saint Mary’s. “I thought I did pretty good. It’s a huge jump from what I played before. They’re a lot stronger and faster.”
From the Axemen training camp and the club’s only exhibition game, Cormier knows he has a huge challenge playing at the university level, but it’s one he’s up for.
“I know I’m going to have to work very hard because the guys are so good at this level,” he said. “It’s something I’m committed to doing, getting stronger and faster. I’ll be spending a lot of time in the weightroom.”
Cormier was introduced to football through the former Cumberland Wolfpack program. It didn’t take long for him to be noticed, especially for his size and quickness. While he played quarterback, and other positions, with the Wolfpack it was with the Tantramar Titans where he excelled defensively.
Cormier said he really enjoyed playing with the Titans program and said the coach staff there helped prepare him for the university game. The Titans are coming off back-to-back New Brunswick high school football champions.
Twitter: @ADNdarrell
