The Tribune

WITH this being his final year in college, Eugene McMinns said he was thrilled to be a part of the Bahamian connection that helped the Acadia Axemen win the 2017 Atlantic University Sports (AUS) championship title on Tuesday night.

The Axemen, which included McMinns, defensive back Arrien McDonald and offensive lineman Shelton Williams, clinched the title with a 45-38 decision over the Saint Mary’s Huskies.

“The performances of the Bahamian players here have been good,” said McDonald, a wide receiver. “We do our job to the best of our abilities to meet the coach’s expectations and the expectations we have for ourselves individually.

“The Bahamian connection is very strong due to the hard work of other Bahamians who left their mark and opened the doors for other 242 players like myself to come through.”

McMinns, who took a break to play for Holland College before he returned this year, said Canada is a wonderful country and he enjoyed himself while playing college football.

“My plans after the season is to finish school and get my degree and if it’s in God’s plans, then maybe I can be scouted to play professional football,” he stated.

“I just want to encourage the young 242 players to always chase after their dreams and trust in God to pull them through.”

As for the Axemen, coached by Jeff Cummins, who praised the Bahamian connection, McMinns said he couldn’t ask for a better squad to be a part of.

“The team’s performance was so unreal. I thought everyone was ready to go,” he stressed. “Our coaching staff really prepared us. As a unit, we were war ready.”

McMinns said if there was anything they learnt from the experience it’s the fact that championships are earned, not given.

“The make-up of the team’s offence is a running offence, but what a lot of people don’t know is that we can throw the ball and we have just as much success throwing the ball as we have been having running it,” he pointed out.

“Our defence has been solid all year, but the coaches here at Acadia never really let us get too comfortable. If the defence had four sacks, they would encourage them and say we could have had seven sacks.”

This weekend could be McMinns’ last in an Axemen uniform as Acadia host the 10-0 undefeated Western Mustangs in the Uteck Bowl game at 1:30 pm.

If successful, McMinns and the Axemen will extend their season to the 53rd National Championships on Saturday, November 25 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

However, it goes, McMinns said he was pleased with his career on and off the field in Canada.