SACKVILLE, N.B. — He has been acclaimed the outstanding offensive player for the past two weeks in the AUS and has rung up numbers remindful of those posted by Eric Lapointe. And this all occurred as the Mounties have become a potential championship team. But Jack Estabrooks tries to deflect any personal attention coming his way, simply saying the team has finally jelled and his goal is to contribute as they enter the final two weeks of the campaign, seeking to end with a 4-4 record.
But posting gains of 138 and 188 yards in consecutive contests puts the former Titan great in a class by himself.
Coach Fraser is all smiles as he discusses his newfound tailback.
“We used Jack as a linebacker during training camp,” says the second-year coach, “and he was excellent there. But when injuries hit our running game we moved Jack up the chart and what he has accomplished is amazing.”
Estabrooks presents an interesting story. During his four years with the Tantramar Titans, he established an outstanding reputation as both a defensive stalwart and somebody who could be called upon to carry the ball. And he did just that in the 2017 victory over Moncton in the provincial finals.
Defensive coach Peter Estabrooks used Jack’s skills in various ways but mostly as a linebacker who could not only stop the run but who could take on the top receivers of the opposition and do an outstanding job.
In his final year with the Titans, he was named league MVP for his all-around performances.
But after deciding to pursue a degree in commerce at Mount Allison, he took a year away from playing football. With the game still in his genes, he became defensive coordinator for the Pee Wee Titans and enjoyed while learning.
He was asked why he opted to return to playing the game he loves.
“I always knew I would be back, and the Mounties, being on the verge of adapting to a new culture under coach Fraser, it was the ideal time to make the move.”
And it appears as though fate has played a hand. With the Mounties struggling mightily in their first four games as they went 0-4 with only the defense keeping them in the game, it required a playmaker to emerge. And, of course, it was a former Titan who says he received the best coaching any high school player could ever hope for. He says the Titan coaching staff far exceeds any other in the region as players learn not only to handle various positions but also learn the necessary life skills to be successful.
However, he has only positive comments to make about his current coaches, who include running back coach Zak Conangelo and offensive coordinator Kyle Graves, who have assisted in his move from linebacking to running back.
The 19-year-old “rookie” uses a compact body to find openings in the opposition secondary after the big Mountie OL finds him some space to get underway. At 5 feet and nine inches on a solid 185-pound frame he has the strength to simply run over some defenders.
“With the way this team has turned the corner and is now playing as a unit, I feel we have a good chance of winning our last two games and then prepare for the playoffs,” said Estabrooks.
The next challenge comes this Saturday when the Bishop’s Gaiters come to town for a 3 o’clock match. Bishops posted a 27-24 victory over the Mounties in Quebec so they will need to win by more than three points to guarantee themselves a shot at the championship.
Coach Fraser promises that his squad is primed and ready and he looks to a huge turnout of alumni Sackville-area fans to provide the encouragement they may need to continue on their way to extending their two-game success.
And he agrees a good deal of that success must come from the work of the eight former Titans who form a solid core and bring a championship aura from their years of success at the high school level.
So, from here on out everything is on the line on every play as the Acadia Axemen will be in town a week later to put the finishing touches on another wild and unpredictable campaign.
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