Mustapha, unbeaten Cougars finish perfect regular season in his hometown
Sam Mustapha has beaten St. Clair twice this season. The second time, in his hometown, meant a little more.
"The first time we got it done (at home, 42-15 win) and the second time we just had to do it again. This is our year." Mustapha said.
The St. Joe's grad and Sault Cougars running back scored twice to help finish an undefeated regular season on Saturday with a convincing 45-25 win over the Saints. It came a year after St. Clair beat the Cougars in the final at Acumen Stadium.
"Yeah, we're definitely ready for the next step," Mustapha said. "Especially last year, it was a dogfight."
Playing against St. Clair in Windsor was special with family and friends in attendance.
"It is kinda cool at the same time because this team means everything to me," he said.
Connections brought him to Sault Ste. Marie, where he's enrolled in a computer program. Sault College felt like the right place for Mustapha, who is in his second year with the Cougars.
Sensing the program had built momentum in his rookie year, Mustapha put in extra work during the off-season to get ready for a deep playoff run.
"Especially in the off-season I was working out four times a week, getting bigger, stronger, faster," he said. "Shout out Coach Cam, trainer, you know, just helped me with that."
It's paying off.
"Like I feel more confident as I've ever been. Like, it's amazing to start the season and just building the next game after the next game. I feel like after today, I still got a lot of work to do, but it feels great that all that work I put in over the offseason paid off."
He took a few bumps on Saturday but isn't worried.
"Yeah, yeah, it's just little, you know, it's football," Mustapha told Powerplay. "I'll be all right."
The Cougars host Ottawa this weekend in the OFC semifinals. St. Clair hosts London in the other semi.