Jefferson Hagen / MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Listed at just 5-foot-4 on the roster, it's easy for MacEwan Griffins' wing-back Michael Ho to get lost in the shuffle.
It would be a mistake to overlook him, though.
Ho has proven that chip on his shoulder is larger than the lanky, elite Canada West strikers he's tasked with shutting down every weekend.
Overlooked, no doubt because of his size, the Archbishop O'Leary Academy product wasn't recruited by any other Canada West schools.
But here he is, starting for the Griffins on the right side of their defence at the ripe young age of 18.
"His talent probably goes a little bit unnoticed at times because of his size," said Griffins head coach Adam Loga. "People look at his stature and push him away. But the fact is, it's his will and desire. He's willing to do whatever it takes to be successful and that's something you can't teach. That's a character trait and those are attributes that go beyond ability and size. He's proven that."
Ho will lead the Griffins (1-2-0) into a key weekend of Canada West play as they host Mount Royal University (2-0-0) on Saturday (12 p.m., Clareview Field) and Calgary (1-1-0) on Sunday (3:30 p.m., Clarke Stadium).
Forwards across the conference have been struggling to create separation from the speedy, tenacious Ho. Case in point: despite giving up more than a foot in height, the Griffins defender gave vaunted 6-foot-6 Alberta Golden Bears striker Easton Ongaro fits during their season opener last month.
"I actually think Mikey is one of the best 1v1 defenders in the conference," said Loga. "I would go out on a limb and say that. He's in his second-year, but he's a 2000 born. His first year in Canada West he was 17 years old. We know his stature makes him look even younger than that.
"His will and desire and work-rate to improve and help the team is so commendable. We're happy to have him."
Ho, who wasn't even invited to try out for Team Alberta's 2017 Canada Summer Games team that some of his current Griffins teammates had starting roles for, admits he's always trying to prove something.
"I just use that as motivation to push me forward," he said. "That's how I have all that hunger and drive in me."
A couple of years back, Loga was attending an Archbishop O'Leary Academy practice when he was intrigued by Ho's talent on the pitch.
"I asked their staff there, 'Who's that little guy in the midfield?' They were saying he was thinking about NAIT at the time, but nothing was coming his way (from U SPORTS). So I had a word with him and he signed."
Ho spent much of last season coming off the bench as a sparkplug for the Griffins in the offensive half of the field. But the move to a full-time starting defensive position in 2018 suits him just fine.
"I've been a defender all my life," he said. "I'm more comfortable playing in the back. It's easier to use my brain. It's a natural position.
"Part of the game is using your mind," he added. "If I have the IQ on the field and put in the hard work, that's how I can succeed."
That's not unlike the Griffins as a team, too. Hard work and game IQ are essential to their success. They're familiar with the two Calgary-based teams paying visits this weekend and know what they must do to nick six points.
"We're going to have to execute the game plan well," said Loga. "We're going to have to continue to do what we need to be successful, but we also have to pick up some of the things we're weaker at, which is OK. As long as we're improving in what we're weak at, that's the biggest thing.
"As mentioned before, (our development) is a process, but they're two playoff teams – two well-coached teams. I have a ton of respect for Ryan (Gyaki of MRU) and Brendan (O'Connell of Calgary) and their staff."
Last season, MacEwan went 1-0-1 against MRU and 0-2-0 against Calgary. Results are paramount against division opponents if the Griffins hope to catch their first-ever Canada West playoff berth.
"It's going to be a battle," Loga said. "We're looking forward it and looking forward to continuing to compete in the Prairie Division."
