Photo courtesy of Kirby Sports Photography

He played just one season in the CJFL and was almost automatic kicking for the Langley Rams in 2016.

Docherty led the CJFL in scoring with 106 points, kicking 24 field goals, second most in CJFL history.  He also made all 30 convert attempts and tallied a pair of singles. 

Following the 2016 season he was named a CJFL All-Canadian and the BC Conference Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.  His 24 made field goals set a new BC Conference record.

Despite playing just one season and booting the CJFL’s longest field goal of the year of 51 yards, Docherty says the highlight of the season was the people within the Rams organization.  “The coaches who were invested in the players and really cared for the development of each individual. The parents who came out to every game and even practices. The individuals who gave up their nights and other times of their busy weeks to help make sure we could be competitive. And of course my teammates, bunch of great people who all were devoted to improving their craft while contributing to the teams goals.”

With many takeaways following each season Docherty does leave Langley with an important lesson learned, “Curveballs happen all the time, and how you deal with them is what defines you. Deal with the cards you’re dealt and be positive through it all. Trust your gut when you meet a good person like I did with KJ (head coach Khari Joseph), and believe in them to get you to where you want to go.”

Over 70 players filled out the Rams roster in 2016, but there was one player that Docherty seemed to gel with, “Jesse Cervas, even though he went to VC haha. Guy has played for the Rams over four years and welcomed me to the squad with open arms. We ended up getting along really well and I admire his dedication to the program and the sport. He was one of the few guys who didn't have to say much to get a point across to the guys and that's a skill I strive to acquire every day. He switched positions a few times throughout his career without complaining and did everything the right way while playing with his heart on his sleeve.”

Now that he has graduated from the Rams and the CJFL, what’s next for the kicker? “What's next is a great question. I graduate in April from SFU and I've also been training to get another look in the pros. Getting into a training camp this May is my current focus and once that settles, I'll have a bit more guidance in where I will end up. I still believe I deserve a shot and hopefully after my year in the CJFL a CFL coach will agree.”

Langley Rams kicker Tiernan Docherty is the newest member of the CJFL Class of 2016.