Following a path created largely through their love of football, Sudburians Tanaka Chakwesha, Bauer Negrych and Eric Fraser likely never envisioned it leading them deep into the heart of Texas.

Yet here they were, some four weeks ago, donning the colours of Team Ontario and joining Sudbury Gladiators head coach Brent Richer with a Canadian contingent roughly 80 athletes strong, battling the USA in their game, on their turf.

The trio were selected at tryouts a few months back, beating the odds in finding a spot among a group of more than 400 hopefuls. Fraser manned the defensive line with the Under 17 squad, while Negrych (offensive guard) and Chakwesha (defensive back) were teammates with the Under-19 grouping.

It was just the latest step forward for a collection of local players who have not always seemed completely at home on the football field. "I went out for the varsity team in grade 9," noted Negrych, a grade 12 student at Chelmsford Vocational District Composite School (CVDCS).

"After two days, I quit. It was so much running, so much conditioning." It wasn't until he endured long enough to get into game action that the burly lineman would be smitten with the gridiron bug.

"My first year of Gladiators, I was trying out at quarterback," admitted Fraser with a laugh. "That's what I had played with Joe Mac. I realized I wasn't keeping up with guys like Brady Ellsworth and Hunter Holub, so I asked if I could get into something else where they could use me better."

It is that undying commitment to the game that forms a common bond, not only between these three, but much of the young football talent in the Sudbury region. Though all three noted surprise with their eventual selection to their respective Team Ontario rosters, it would not be through a lack of effort that they would fall short.

"I was surprised when I got the call," said Negrych. "The tryout wasn't that great, but they watched and filmed everything. They liked my size, obviously, but I had footwork, speed and aggression that they liked."

"There was probably about ten or so really good "D" tackles," explained Fraser. "They (coaching staff) said that most of all, they love coachability." However, making the team was only step one.

"I've never experienced a level where they teach you so much," noted Chakwesha. In fact, all three young athletes commented, time and time again, about the amount of resources made available to the Ontario coaching staff, both in terms of personnel as well as technical support.

"They worked, in detail, with everything you had trouble with," Chakwesha added. "The one thing I can take away from it was watching the film - it really helped me," said Negrych.

"Seeing yourself, you how move, how you play, it gives you a whole different look." Though the Gladiators program certainly use game film during the summer season, the multiple angle cameras, close ups and filming of practice sessions created a whole new level of scrutiny for the Sudbury clan.

A first trip to Texas for all three of the lads, there was precious little time to enjoy southern USA scenery. "Everything was planned out," said Negrych. "You wake up, you eat breakfast, you go to practice, come back, watch film, go to practice, come back, watch more film, eat dinner, go to bed."

These three wouldn't have it any other way. Competitors by nature, the northern talent acquitted itself quite well. "I played quite a bit," said Fraser, earning the start on the defensive line.

"I sat out a couple of drives in the third quarter, because everyone got a chance to play. I think I played pretty well," he added. "I got shut down a few times, but that happens to everyone."

Impressed with everything that is football in Texas, the Canucks somehow avoided the trap of entering their contests awestruck. "Their fields are remarkable," said Chakwesha. "Their junior fields are just the same as our university fields in Canada."

But in the end, football is football. "It felt exactly like one of my Gladiators' games," said Fraser. "Their offensive linement felt just like some of the guys I play against here."

At the age of 15, Fraser was simply looking to open a few eyes in his direction. For Chakwesha and Negrych, mission accomplished. While the speedy and highly athletic St Benedict Bears defensive secondary stalwart has now committed to Carleton University for the fall, Negrych will make his way further east, making the trek to Acadia.

"The main reason is that it reminds me a lot of around here," he said. "Acadia is about the same size as Laurentian. It's about an hour away from Halifax and I live in Onaping, which is about an hour away from Sudbury."

"It just seemed right." It often does, when one follows the path one creates.