London has solidified itself as the premier football development city in Ontario. All five of the London Junior Mustangs (LJM) AAA teams reached the championship game in 2025 after four of five went to the finals in 2024. “It’s a testament to the volunteers that are there,” said Greg Willson, head coach of the U18 team. “We have a great group, a great staff, and the players and coaches put in a ton of hard work. It takes an army to keep this going.” Willson describes London as a “wonderful football community”, which starts at the top. “Having the Western Mustangs be so successful,” said Willson. “I played at Western and a lot of my friends who played and that stayed in the area they coach now. It has led to an excellent high school program all across the city. I think we have the most competitive, if not the best high school league, in the province. That works its way through to the Junior Mustangs and competitive football as well.” Willson, along with his brother (and former NFL’er), Luke Willson coached the U18 AAA team, which defeated Burlington 39-9 to win the title Saturday in Kingston. “I kind of knew on the sideline everyone was getting a little bit nervous, you know, down by a point in the fourth quarter,” said Willson. “I said ‘Guys, these plays are going to work. We’re going to hit one and watch the momentum change.’ Then there’s about six or seven plays in a row. It was a huge catch by one of our younger receivers. Henry Scott set up a huge touchdown by Javon Roberts. An interception on the next defensive play after the touchdown the next play, Andre Thompson ran it in, and then it was a costly error on them giving up a safety after that. Then, a big play by Will McBurney, another Grade 11 receiver from us. Then boom, all of a sudden it was just a changed game.” One of the top defensive line prospects in the country, Andre Thompson, went from third string quarterback to starter in the span of a few weeks due to injury. His first start came in the final and he earned game MVP honours with a rushing TD and two through the air. “A week and a half worth of practicing and then right into this offense which is a hard task,” said Willson. “Andre really stepped up and did really well overall.” The Ontario Summer Football League (OSFL) received some exposure with Luke Willson coaching and posting about the LJM on social media. “Last year he had helped, watched some film, gave us some pointers,” said Willson. “This year he was coming to every practice, and he motivated the kids. The kids really took to him, and he brought a level of intensity to the practice, which was really something awesome for them.” Willson said his brother helped everyone get better week by week. “I told them ‘If you stick it out from week one to the end of the season, and we get better every single week, we will be the best team in the province,” he said. “That’s what happened, and it was great.”
