The Fighting Irishman still "the Go to Guy"

No matter what life brings to Ottawa native Justin Chombes, he always finds a way to spring back! Chombes will always be the go to guy.

 In Canada, football season for high schools starts a lot later than in the United States. It starts in September and finishes in November. The Fighting Irish of St. Patrick’s High School in Ottawa, Canada had an exciting season. Unfortunately in the 2013 season, they had lost in the semi-finals to the team that won the championship in the end. This season as a Fighting Irish, Chombes himself was held sidelined. He was not able to play this year due to injury. He broke one of his smaller bones in his wrist. It sidelined him for the entire season, but Chombes as a team player; he still attended every game and most of the practices. Most of his teammates would make him the go to guy because Chombes would be alongside with them through in and out rain or shine.

Chombes game has changed within the last four years as an athlete. Overtime he developed and became a smarter player by the help of the coaches from St. Patrick’s High School. All the coaches from St. Patrick’s High School have either played in the Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) or had stints in the Canadian Football League (CFL). By having those types of coaches for a player it is a greater advantage to prepare for the next level competition and become a much more developed smarter player on the field. It also allowed him to just focus on the play and not think about what to do next. 

 In Chombes opinion, “You are most likely to be less effective when you have to think about every single play. If you are prepared, you are able to process it in an instant moment which allows you to play effectively on the field.”

As a receiver Chombes has improved in his game from learning proper running techniques. In proper running techniques it has given him the ability to be a better route runner in and out of breaks. That also allowed him to become a smarter player and given him the ability to play faster in making more plays. It allows him overall to have a real grasp of the game. But he knows there is always more room for improvement upon him to excel in his game.

When Next Level Combines touch base with Chombes about his off season training, he

describes to us his amazing workout experiences during the summer. Chombes was taken under the wing of former player Canadian Interuniversity Sports (CIS) Coach Donnelly, he has been taught the proper techniques in training with speed and lifting. Chombes tells us, when Coach Donnelly and him first teamed up, all these concepts from proper technique in training with speed and lifting were all new to him. He didn’t understand them greatly. But through time once the training regime had settled in with him, Chombes would begin to see major improvements. He became a lot stronger and faster. This training regime consisted of five day week training. Waking up every morning at 7am to head either to Mooney’s bay, which is a park with a man made beach near the Rideau River in Ottawa, Canada for speed training or the gym for lifting session.

During the summer his summer consists of a month of summer school and a full time job along with training. No days off mentality has given Chombes an advantage head start for his goals and dreams as a student athlete.

When we talk about speed training with Chombes, it either consists of acceleration, a change of direction or endurance in his regime. A change of direction training means, running in the sand of the beach. In endurance training, those days would mean, running up the steep hills located in Mooney’s bay. It is not an easy finish. People that run this endurance training sometimes would throw up and not able to finish running the up the hill. Lifting training consists of different routine of workouts that are intense.

 Chombes tells us “I experienced many days of arriving home and falling right to sleep along with waking up for school or work the next day feeling sore all over my body. These workouts were amazing because I had made the most gains that I had ever made but it's too bad since I got injured because I believe they would have helped me make plays for my team on the field.”

These types of workouts are efficient for Chombes because during the time he was injured,

he gained a lot of momentum and helped him on the field to be able to move faster and smarter. Without Coach Donnelly he wouldn’t have been able to achieve as far as he in his craft off football. Coach Donnelly to Chombes is a hidden gem and the best kept secret in being one of the top personal trainers.

Chombes had the privilege to attend a couple National Underclassmen Combine (NUC) camps during the summer. One was a 7v7 tournament, combine and a junior camp. There weren’t too many camps this off season for him. Chombes was invited to the NUC Texas vs. The world bowl game in Dallas, Texas taking place on President’s Day weekend next year. He would attend this camp if his head coach gives the green light and also on the factor of his wrist injury will be healthy by camp time.

As a student athlete, it takes a lot of time management to fit in trainings, academics and a job. Chombe has the gift of always being on top of handling business in the classroom. He never left any assignments out and handing them in on the deadlines. Education is a priority for Chombes because for him you do not play sports forever; you would need a backup plan for the time in hanging up his cleats. Justin Chombes is someone to lookout for. Once he is 100% healthy he will be ready to be out on that field doing business. Watch him in action. The go to guy for St. Patrick’s Fighting Irish he will conquer the field. 

_________________________________________________SPECIAL SHOUT OUTS:

I would like to give a special shout out to my family for supporting me, Next Level Combines and Lead Journalist Jasmine Ng for this interview! End Zone Football, all my St. Patrick’s teammates, little brother Ben, Coach Chris, Coach Moore, Coach John, Coach Mike, and Coach Wayne Jacobs. Future football star/Singer Julien Maurice Moore, AJ Larin, Justin Vaz, the Omara family, Zach Princi, Suroush Nojoumi, Ross Bitchoka, Abdullah Ather, Haroun Hamidi, Brandon McCabe, Jonathan ST Michael, Yancey Napoles, Rania Mubarak, Max dibs, Jonathan Sutherland, Luigi Vilain, Joseph Donnelly and everyone else I’m unable to mention

"The Go to Guy" Justin Chombe

JUSTIN CHOMBE  " The Go to Guy"
by  Jasmine Ng, Lead Journalist

Justin Chombe is the go to guy for the Fighting Irish.

“I believe my love for the game and constant drive to always get better is strength since it is keeping me playing considering what I’ve gone through in my early football life.”

Position

Wide Receiver

Team

Fighting Irish, St. Patrick’s High School

Located

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Weight/Height
170lbs, 6”0

Jersey Number

87

Stats/Awards

Rookie of the year in his second year

Graduation Year

2014

    

Justin Chombe a passionate athlete whom not only work hard on the field, but he himself works hard in everything that is placed for him to tackle. Coming from a family who migrated to Canada that has a motto in “we strive for”, has taught him to always work hard and have the best of abilities to achieve in anything he does. Chombe has a very selfless playing style. There is no “I” in team. He has very quick and smart reflexes when it comes on the field. Chombe himself has won rookie of the year in his second year in High School as a Fighting Irish. From his strength as a wide receiver, Chombe is recognized on the field for his certain coverage. He looks on the fronts of the defensive that is disguised towards an offensive play, which is unique and very effective for the quarterback. Chombe is known as the “go to guy” on the field.  

Keep your eyes out for this Ottawa native on to the Next Level!

Here is a brief interview on Justin and his outlook of someday playing college football

Question – Answer Session

1) What do you want to major in College?

In University I would like to major in Public affairs and policy management along with international development and Globalization on route to becoming a Lawyer.

2) What do you bring to a college program?

Towards a college program I think I bring a humble and respectable personality with the intention of just becoming a better person academically, athletically and off the field as well. I think I bring a hard working attitude that coaches would want to see in a player but also a person that is always open to listening to others and one who is very flexible. I also believe I can be a player to come in day 1 developing into a starter and future leader of any football program.

3) How would you describe your playing style?

I would say that my playing style is very unselfish. I believe in doing anything that the coach needs me to do if he turns and asks because in the end of a football game all that matters is if your team gets the win. I believe I am very reliable on the field and can make plays once given the opportunity to do that. I like to rely on my smarts and quickness in order to make routine plays.

4) Who were the most important influences to you as a player and in life throughout the years?

The most important influences to me as a player I would say would be the Current Denver Broncos Quarterback and Future NFL hall of Famer (G.O.A.T in my opinion) Peyton Manning. Ever Since I've started watching the game Manning has always been the best in the game each year at everything he did. As I started to study over his career I noticed the amount of hours he puts towards what he does whether it's preparing for a game, working out on the field and in the gym. He has revolutionized the game in how he study's every aspect of each defense he plays every week and come game time he's able to put his offensive teammates in the best position to win through making the right audible, adjustments and being the best leader. Through Peyton Manning I’ve really learned that if you want to be the best and succeed in what you want to do you really have to put a lot of hard work in order to achieve all your goals. I really feel like I connect with him a lot when he missed all of the 2011 season after going through 3 next surgeries. Doctors were telling him that he wouldn’t be able to play again and he is putting his life at risk by trying to make a comeback. After multiple successful neck surgeries many didn’t believe he could come back to his playing level and right now he’s playing the best football of his career. On top of all that his old team released him and he had to make the transition and play with a completely new team for the first time in his career. Manning has given me hope that you are able to overcome injuries and make a successful comeback. In my life I really have to look towards my parents and everything they've gone through. Here are two individuals who gave up everything they had in our home country and came to Canada where there is a lot opportunity to succeed and live an enjoyable life away from a war torn country where they came from. They've really taught me to work hard in anything you want to be a part of and to be accountable which are two traits I really believe are key with any future success I’ll be a part of.

5) Besides football, do you play any other sports?

In my earlier years of high school I played volleyball, soccer, track and field and also did some Wrestling. But now I've really cut out those sports and I am just solely focusing on Football.

6) What position do you play in high school and what position do you want to play in college?

The Position I am currently playing right now is Wide Receiver. In College I would like to continue playing this position and hopefully get a chance to return kicks and punts as well.

7) What are the 3 things you looking for in a school?

The three things I really look for in a school are academics, athletics and tradition. Being a Student athlete I want to go a school where I know I will be receiving a proper education, a coaching staff that will be able to develop me into the best person and player I can possibly be and a rich school tradition is just one of the things I have always wanted to be a part of. Campus life is also another positive that attracts me to attending a school.

8) What would you consider your strengths?

I think my Strengths of being a Receiver is the recognition of certain coverage looks, and fronts Defenses try to use and disguise towards on Offense. With having that going for me it helps me run my routes and get open a lot more effectively for my quarterback. My other strengths are running good sharp routes which help me get open in key situations in order to keep my offense on the field. I also think one of my strength’s is being a “go to guy” and also being that person the quarterback looks for on 3^rd or 4^th down. I believe my love for the game and constant drive to always get better is strength since it is keeping me playing considering what I’ve gone through in my early football life.

9) What is something you think you could work on to improve?

I really think I can improve becoming a lot quicker, faster and stronger which will take my game to another level. I really believe the more I can separate from defenders it gives defenses another thing to worry about and it makes my game a lot easier meaning corners can't sit and play press all game. I would also want to continue working on my dynamic ability as a wide receiver because it will make me a more reliable receiver and make it more of a priority for the corner-back to get a hand on the football. There may be some games where the ball may not come as often and that is when your team may be counting on you the most.

10) What would playing in college mean to you and your family?
Playing in College would mean everything to me. This is what I put myself in position to do and it's what I have been working on preparing myself for my whole high school career. It would be a big step in the right direction for me and it would be very humbling. I believe it would say a lot about my family, what we strive for, and our motto which was started when my parents made the move to Canada. My parents have always told me to work hard at whatever I do and to do it to the best of your abilities. If that is done then a lot of good things can come and I believe that will only be the beginning of future success playing in college.