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 St.
Matthew High School grad Katley Joseph started
eight games for the University of Maine Black
Bears as a freshman this season. File photo
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Katley Joseph
has beaten the odds when it comes to suiting up as a regular
in his first NCAA football season.
Most freshmen
see a lot of practice time, rarely get a sniff of real game
action and in some cases are red-shirted to save a year of
eligibility Joseph knew he was facing unlikely odds to crack
the starting roster when he committed to the University of
Maine Black Bears in November 2017. But the St. Matthew High
School graduate was focused and determined on making the team
as a starting defensive back from the opening kick-off.
"Coming
out of high school, I knew what I wanted to do and where I
wanted to go,� Joseph said. "Committing to the University
of Maine was the right move for me. The Black Bears gave me
the opportunity to earn a spot in the starting roster right
away, which I took advantage of through hard work over the
summer and in training camp.�
The four-time
MVP for the St. Matt Tigers was a highly touted high school
prospect. In addition to being a multiple most valuable player,
Joseph was named a NCAFA Eastern All-Star team member on four
different occasions as a defensive back.
Joseph was
ranked as the top defensive back in Ontario, possessing excellent
physical ability along with excellent skills reading plays
and recognizing offensive formations.
Prior to
his senior year of high school, Joseph showed the NCAA recruiters
what all the fuss surrounding him was about when he, his brother
and a few football buddies headed down to a showcase at Rutgers
University in New Jersey. He was up against some pretty stiff
competition in the form of high end American-born players,
but Joseph stood out with his solid play.
Katley made
an immediate impression with the University of Maine coaching
staff and was offered a full scholarship the same day. After
graduating from high school last December, the Orléans native
made the move to Orono, Maine, in January to get a head start
on his college career.
"I enrolled
in January to make a smooth transition from living in Orleans
and attending high school to living in the United States and
being an NCAA student-athlete,� Joseph explained.
"Going early
definitely gave me an advantage because being a full-time
student and playing varsity football is a busy schedule. Getting
a handle on school and living away from home in another country
was an adjustment.�
The 5-foot-9,
174 lb. communications major suited up for eight out of 10
games for the Black Bears this season, picking up 14 solo
tackles and one interception.
On Dec.
1, Joseph helped the Black Bears to a 55-27 victory over the
Jacksonville State Gamecocks, giving the university its first-ever
home playoff win.
Maine's
next opponent is Weber State. The two teams will meet in the
Football Championship Subdivision quarterfinals in Ogden,
Utah on Dec. 8.
ANNUAL REMEMBRANCE DAY CEREMONY 11 a.m. at the Orléans Cenotaph beside the Orléans Legion Branch 632, 800 Taylor Creek Drive. Sandwiches and desserts following the ceremony inside the Legion.
OYSTER NIGHT every Wednesday from 6-9 pm at the Orléans Brewing Co. Two types of oysters served with lemon, Tobasco, horseradish, salt and mignonette. The Orléans Brewing Co. is located at 4380 Innes Rd., next to McDonalds.
SDBC TAPROOM CONCERT SERIES presents East Coast Experience live and in concert from 7 p.m. at the Stray Dog Brewing Company, 501 Lacolle Way in the Taylor Creek Business Park. Advance tickets $25 available at 
CRAFT AND BAKE SALE from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.at the Hobbs Seniors Club, 109 Larch Cres. (off Champlain Street).
