Local wins Bol D’Or with Notre-Dame

Last Friday was the Bol D’Or, the culmination of the Reseau du sport etudiant du Quebec (RSEQ)’s CEGEP Division 1 football season. It was played between the undefeated Andre-Grasset College and the Notre-Dame-de-Foy Campus (CNDF) - the latter of which has offensive lineman Sam Nicholas amongst its ranks.

It was Nicholas’s team that came out on top in a 23-13 win against the Phenix, who had been undefeated until that point.

Both teams were making their return to the championship game after very short absences: the CNDF lost in the finals last year, while Andre-Grasset made their last finals appearance in 2023, also suffering a loss.

Nicholas said playing on a team that has had a lot of recent success has been a good learning experience for him and his teammates.

“We face countless obstacles and challenges that build and mold us into who we are now. It is an experience that builds not only your football knowledge and experience, but also us as individuals,” said Nicholas, who is in his second year with the team.

Nicholas has faced one big obstacle in his time in CEGEP football, an injury to the cartilage of his ankle. Last year, he was able to play through the pain, but in camp this year, it was found that the injury had gotten worse and he had started to develop arthritis on that ankle. That held him off the field for the entire season.

“Hopefully, I will be healthy enough to be able to compete and get back into the rhythm of things,” said Nicholas, who is planning on being on the team again next year.

Winning a Bol D’or is already a memorable moment for him, even if he wasn’t able to take to the field with his team.

“It’s an experience of a lifetime. Winning a Bol D’or is amazing,” said Nicholas.

“The adrenaline, the rush and feeling of accomplishment, of what is quite literally the biggest football honour in the province before reaching university, nothing compares to the feeling.”

In 2026, Nicholas is hoping he’ll get to the on the field with the rest of his teammates for another championship.

CNDF running back Kouassi Codjo was named player of the game, amassing 133 yards on the ground on 20 carries, with two trips to the end zone.

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