CALGARY – They came from the same high school, were coached by the same high school coach, but joined the University of Calgary Dinos in three separate years. All three have the same desirable traits. 

Peter Nicastro, Logan Bandy, and Nicolas Auvigne had the unique distinction of attending St. Francis High School in northwest Calgary, where they were coached by Aldo Laratta. Now they all start and play on the same post-secondary U SPORTS team's offensive line

The trio has enviable traits, according University of Calgary offensive line coach Paul Carson.

"All three have a great work ethic. They were well coached in High School and came prepared to play at the next level. They are great young men, easy to deal with and old-school football players."

The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Nicastro is the senior member of the trio, joining the Dinos in 2016 as 17-year-old. Peter's initial season was injury plagued due to upper body and lower body injuries forcing him to red-shirt.  He saw limited action in 2017 in a reserve capacity. With the graduation of Ryan Sceviour and Darius Ciraco to the Canadian Football League and Curtis Krahn using up his eligibility, Nicastro saw the potential of a starting spot available, and the second-year sociology student seized the opportunity. After starting the season at guard, he has taken over the centre spot on a young revamped offensive line under Carson's tutelage and according to Carson is "the most improved player."

"The connection we had in high school carries on now," said Nicastro. "It is great to see St. Francis guys at the U of Calgary. (Coach Laratta) helped a lot and was a great mentor."

Bandy has emerged as one of the top tackles in Canada West and U SPORTS as a sophomore in just his first year at a starter. The 6-foot-5, 285-pound kinesiology major dressed for most games last year as a pure freshman. Bandy, along with Nicastro, are products of the Mavericks program in Calgary minor football, playing with each other as youth players.  

"Logan is the leader of the group. He is a tough player mentally and physically. He comes to work each day," said Carson.

"We have that connection of playing together in high school," said Bandy, who was one of the prime recruits to join the Dinos two years ago. He smiled. "They (Nicastro and Auvigne) still ask me what the play is."

Auvigne is the youngest of the trio and one of few freshman starters directly from high school to play regularly along the offensive line in Canada West. Just 18 years old, Nic is one of the strongest players on the team and played his youth football in the Cowboys organization. He started on the Browns' 2016 Championship team in Grade 10 when Nicastro was a senior and Bandy in Grade 11. 

"Nic has come in and done everything we have asked him to do and is extremely coachable," Carson said of the first 6-foot-2, 280 -pound arts student. 

"Playing with familiar faces helps, we got the connection going again, and trust is there," said Auvigne, who admits the playbook is bigger and the speed faster than high school.

He attributes his development to Coach Carson. "He has taught me technique, and makes wants us to be perfect." 

The last time trio played together was in 2015 which was a magical year for the trio. They were instrumental in leading the Browns to both Calgary and Alberta 4A Provincial Championships and a perfect season. The Dinos hope with the trio united again, 2018 can be another magical year. 

-UC-