Zach Medeiros, kicker, for the Ottawa Red Blacks, stands beside the Grey Cup, with current members of the St Joseph's football team. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
By Rob J. Ross
ST. THOMAS, Ont. - Zack Medeiros returned his hometown with one of the most prestigious trophies in Canadian sports.
In November, the graduate of St. Joseph's high school played in one of the most memorable Grey Cup games, as the kicker for the champion Ottawa Red Blacks.
Of course at St. Joe's, Medeiros is remembered for one of the school's most memorable sports moments.
In 2007, Zack Medeiros caught the winning touchdown, in the game's dying seconds for a stunning comeback over rival East Elgin Eagles in the senior football final.
East Elgin had taken the lead with a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, before the Rams used Medeiros, known for kicking monster long punts and field goals, as a receiver.
Following an introduction and a video of that game, Medeiros, 26, shared memories of both finals and his thoughts on being a Grey Cup champion.
"This past season was my first as an active player. I knew I was walking on to a pretty good team that had a good chance to get back to the Grey Cup," said Medeiros, who was originally drafted by Edmonton. "As the season went on we started to believe more."
Ottawa won the Grey Cup, the CFL's championship trophy, 39-33 in overtime, after leading 20-7 at half-time and surviving the Calgary Stampeders' final attempt to score in extra time.
"Winning that game was more of a relief than anything especially how the game went, with Calgary coming back. That final play felt like an eternity. I was just waiting for that ball to drop."
Flashback to the final against East Elgin, Medeiros focused on not dropping the ball, after Rams' head coach Eric Ursic made the call for a play the team had practiced a few times and only ran it once before in a game with no success.
"We tried it earlier in year and I thought never in a million years we'd try it again. When coach (Ursic) called my name, I was nervous, but I knew the team needed me. I just thought, run as fast as I can and hold my hands out and hopefully I can hold that ball," Medeiros recalled. "I was in the end zone three or four yards, but I kept running to make sure I was in. I just kept running everywhere, reveling in the emotions. The celebration was crazy."
Ursic recalls his coaching staff knew right away Medeiros had 'a special leg on him' and potential to play at the pro level.
"I can remember him kicking that 54-yard field goal at TD Waterhouse and thinking he's got more leg in him," Ursic said. "Every kick-off when he kicked it through the end zone, people were looking at the ball sail over their heads. One time, at St. Mary's in Woodstock, I don't think it landed until it went out of the end zone."
Watching Medeiros in the Grey Cup was a special moment for Ursic, and his fellow St. Joe's coaches.
Zack Medeiros, left, with St. Joseph's Rams' football coach Eric Ursic and of course, the Grey Cup. (photo / Rob J. Ross)
For Medeiros his day with the Cup had to include a visit to his alma mater. He also stopped by Parkside Collegiate.
"Words can't really describe my feelings, coming back here and have the students come out to see me," said Medeiros. "When I was here, a couple guys who played in the NHL came back. Cory Emmerton was one. It was cool to see him and have him share his experiences.
"I never thought I'd be at this point. It's kind of a weird feeling. I'm fortunate enough to be here."
When asked what final stands out more for him, high school or CFL, Medeiros went to the moment from the game that will certainly live on in local sports lore.
"I'd have to say that play because it was so unexpected and out of he blue. I knew I had to step up."
At the upcoming training camp for the Red Blacks, Medeiros will be working towards earning the full-time field goal kicking job, along with punt and kick-off duties.
The team receives their Grey Cup rings at a ceremony next week in Ottawa.