When the EMCS Wolverines varsity football team needs a big play, they look to their captain, Morgan D’Ganigian. And more often than not D’Ganigian delivers, whether it’s a tough run or a key block on offense, or blowing up a play on defense.
“He really does everything for us,” said head coach Darryl Pollock of his starting running back and outside linebacker. “He works hard every play whether in a game or at practice.”
At practice, D’Ganigian is almost another coach. He’s always giving tips to the younger players, helping them improve.
“It’s what the seniors did for me when I started at EMCS, so I feel it’s important to do it again,” said D’Ganigian.
He began playing for EMCS in grade nine during the program’s second season. He also played for the community team, the Sooke Seahawks, in their first season when he was in grade three.
“Coach James Lemire [the varsity defensive coordinator] came to my elementary school and got me out,” D’Ganigian said, adding that he’s always looked up to Lemire as a coach and that after nine years, he’s almost an uncle.
Pollock also coached that first year of Seahawk ball, and has watched D’Ganigian grow into the dominant player and leader he is today.
“It’s really cool for me to get to coach him one last season in his grade 12 year,” said Pollock. “I’ve seen him develop, both as a football player and as a young man.”
Football isn’t D’Ganigian’s only sport; he also excels at rugby, playing for the Velox under-19 team, and hoping to play for the Island and provincial teams in the summer. But don’t take D’Ganigian for your stereotypical meat head jock.
“After highschool I want to go to university and eventually become a doctor,” said D’Ganigian. “And hopefully continue playing rugby and football.”
While this season hasn’t started as successfully as hoped, D’Ganigian is still enjoying playing in his final season of Sooke football.
“It’s just been a lot of fun playing with the guys I’ve grown up with and played with for so long.”
D’Ganigian and his Wolverine teammates continue their season Oct. 13 when they travel to Campbell River to play the Timberline Wolves.
By Nathan Lowther