Fast facts: Talk about a Faustian compact of sorts. The Huskies had a dream season in 2007, shutting down Laval in a 24-2 pasting in the Uteck Bowl. In that game, though, Hec Crighton Trophy-winning quarterback Erik Glavic sustained a serious knee injury, which hurt the Huskies' chances vs. Manitoba in the Vanier Cup. Glavic's status for the start of the season is still uncertain. Left-hander Ted Abraham is a viable option, so SMU not in such a huge a predicament at QB. The graduation of their best lineman, right tackle Isaac Robinson, also leaves a hole to be filled, but Saint Mary's for the most part has a good track record with recruiting and developing offensive linemen.
On the other side of the ball, the Huskies have a new co-ordinator, Danny Laramee, who oversaw the No. 1- and No. 3-ranked defences in the CIS the past two seasons at Ottawa. Cornerback Joel Lipinski, a former all-Canadian in Regina, should help solidify the secondary. Saint Mary's probably will have some new names to learn, since last year's team had a lot of fourth-year players whose status was much-discussed over the summer, but they have enough depth to be a force by November.
Coach: Steve Sumarah, third season. Sumarah, to an extent, followed the same path as Laurier coach Gary Jeffries, although in his case it involves two AUS schools. This is Sumarah's 24th season in the AUS as a player or coach, and judging from afar, he's fairly enconsced in Halifax, which is his hometown.
Co-ordinators: Steve Sumurah, offence; Danny Laramee, defence. Laramee, who was previously at Ottawa, takes over for Mike McLean, the first-year coach at York. There's more on the SMU/Ottawa connection a few paragraphs down.
Enrolment: 8,800
Alumni in the CFL: Eskimos LB Tim St. Pierre, 'Riders OL Steve Morley, Blue Bombers DB Marc Beswick, Als slotback Dave Stala
Famous non-football alumni: CBC Sports commentator Steve Armitage (who was a Huskies quarterback in the 1960s); DaimlerChrysler Canada CEO Steve Landry; Joseph Phillip Kennedy, Chief Justice of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court
Three-year record: 14-9
2007 units ranking: 1st on offence, 9th on defence
Key losses: LB Tim St. Pierre, DB Tyrone Roue, DB Marc Beswick, RB Jacques Lumbala, FB Tyler Schussler, RT Isaac Robinson,
Returnees: Saint Mary's is still early enough in training camp that coaches haven't pinned down who's starting, but we can tell you they have 30 offensive and 28 defensive players — and one kicker — back from last season's team.
Players to watch: Obviously, Glavic has to be first mentioned, in terms of his talent and his well-being. He's not the only Huskie from the Toronto area who's had to get over a knee injury, though. Tailback Glen Downs, who was a high school star at Burlington Central, has worked his way from injury and could end up in the thick of a fight to become the featured back. Jonathan Shreve is a big back, while Craig Leger, a Nova Scotia native, also had his moments in spot duty last season. Allister Blair, who was the No. 2 back last season, hasn't gone anywhere.
Sumarah has used a tailback platoon before, going back to Luis Perez and Dean Jones on the 1999-2001 teams. Among the receivers, slotbacks Darcy Brown and Ryean Warburton, as well as wideout Fraser O'Neill, each have eligibility remaining (it seems best to hedge a little until more info comes about SMU early next week).
Defence might be SMU's strong suit. Lipinski is one of three transfer defensive backs who could help make up for the loss of Beswick and Roue, a halfback, in the secondary. Jeff Zelinski is also a standout cornerback, while Saleem Borhot nailed down the safety spot and had a 102-yard interception-return touchdown last season . While St. Pierre tended to get the spotlight, middle linebacker Andrew King was also vital in the second level of SMU's defence.
For future reference: Saint Mary's had quite the list of newcomers lined up. Quarterback Jack Creighton, who led his Port Colborne, Ont., high school team to a regional championship, could develop into a dual-threat quarterback in the Glavic mold.
Incidentally, Saint Mary's has plenty of Ottawa connections, which might be noteworthy if they end up in a semi-final bowl game vs. the Gee-Gees. Former uOttawa defensive backs Steven Watts and Rainier August are reportedly transferring in to play for their former co-ordinator, Laramee. Their recruiting class, which granted, could be somewhat in flux, includes tackle J.C. Noel and defenders Carson Dowds and Morille Njau, who played junior football in the Ottawa area.
(Just to take it one step farther, Sumarah was a guest coach during a few Ottawa Renegades training camps.)
Schedule (swing games in bold):
Sept. 5 Acadia
Sept. 13 @ Bishop's
Sept. 19 Mount Allison
Sept. 27 @ Acadia (Eastlink)
Oct. 4 @ St. FX (Eastlink)
Oct. 11 Montreal (Eastlink)
Oct. 18 Mount Allison (Eastlink)
Oct. 24 St. FX
Final analysis: Saint Mary's isn't competing for a conference title, it's competing for a national championship. Their depth should be enough to overcome any losses to graduation and come out of the Atlantic conference again. Keep an eye on how they handle their trip to Bishop's in the second week of their season, since one would think that would go a long way toward helping them gell.
The Huskies, who won Vanier Cups in 2001 and '02, seem on course for a bowl matchup vs. Ottawa, which won in 2000. The two teams have never met in a post-season game, although there's already a little history between them.
(Contributors to this preview: Rob Pettapiece, Duane Rollins.)
Showing posts with label AUS preview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AUS preview. Show all posts
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
CIS Countdown #11: Acadia Axemen
Fast facts: Acadia's two-year run as Atlantic conference champions, its first titles in football since the Larry Jusdanis era in the mid-'90s, ended fairly decisively with a a 21-point loss to St. FX in the AUS semi-final last November. The pass-happy Axemen, whose QB Keith Lockwood was one of only two CIS pivots to attempt more than 300 passes in the regular season last season, were still potent offensively, but lacked a little giddy-up in their first season without two-time Hec Crighton nominee Ivan Birungi (now at Ottawa). Most of last season's core group on offence returns, older and -- hopefully for Acadia -- wiser. Defensively, Acadia returns regulars such as CB-KR Najja Coley, but their best defensive back, Elliott Richardson, is rehabbing from an arm injury and might not be 100% game-ready by the opener on Sept. 5.
Coach: Jeff Cummins, fifth season. The Torrance, Calif., native, who played for the Oregon Ducks (before they had Nike CEO Phil Knight's chequebook splashed all over them) and went on to a long carer in the CFL, has brought a different look to Acadia, turning to a home state for players such as Lockwood, but bringing in a pass-oriented spread scheme.
Co-ordinators: Cummins handles the defence; Josh Lambert returns as offensive co-ordinator.
Enrolment: 2,760 undergraduate
Alumni in the CFL: Stampeders OL Godfrey Ellis
Famous non-football alumni: Federal cabinet minister Peter MacKay; TSN personality Brian Heaney (the school's athletic director); St. FX basketball coach Steve Konchalski; LPGA player Lorie Kane
Three-year record: 13-11
2007 unit rankings: 18th on offence, 22nd on defence
Key losses: FB Chris Debenedet, DT Trumaine Thomas and DE Sean Knox were the lone fifth-year Axemen in 2007. There was a conspicuous lack of any mention of leading receiver Douglas Fryer in pre-season reports.
Returning starters: Acadia returns five offensive linemen, quarterback and its two main touchdown threats on offence. The defence might have to break out the HELLO MY NAME IS stickers for the first few weeks. The secondary does have some returnees in Coley, James Michener and Matt Philbrick, who lost his 2007 season to injuries.
Players to watch: Wideout Matt Carter caught a team-high 45 passes last season and his recent blogging efforts helped us out, so obviously all objectivity should be cast aside and you should root for him to make all-Canadian. Acadia's other touchdown threat, running back Cale Inglis, also returns. The Axemen also got a big lift when left tackle Adam Rogers came back from the CFL for his final season.
Michener bears watching, since he's usually exciting in whatever capacity he's used in -- defensive back, quarterback, kicker and punter, he's tried them all.
For future reference: As you can see from the list of recruits on the Acadia Athletics website, the Axemen have a pipeline into Central Ontario, where they believe they found a quarterback of the future in 6-foot-3, 195-lb. Kyle Graves of Barrie, comes advertised as "multi-talented." Another rookie from Barrie who might catch on is DT Wade Conrad.
Jordan Linnen, of Surrey, B.C., might as well have come in with the ATH (athlete) designation, since he could ultimately end up contributing on offence and defence. The newbies on D include rush end Jake Thomas (brother of former Acadia standout Josh Thomas) and linebacker Ed McNally, a relative of former Axemen coach Dan McNally.
Schedule (swing games in bold):
Sept. 5 @ Saint Mary's
Sept. 13 Laval (Eastlink)
Sept. 20 @ St. FX
Sept. 27 Saint Mary's
Oct. 4 Mount Allison
Oct. 11 @ Sherbrooke
Oct. 18 St FX
Oct. 25 @ Mount Allison
Final analysis: Having Sherbrooke on the road and Laval at home will make it tough for Acadia to finish .500 and get home field for the AUS semi-final, let alone compete for first place.
St. FX seems to have supplanted Acadia for the time being for No. 2 in the Atlantic University Sport pecking order, although the Axemen could be back in 2009. The tough schedule and the sketchy defence suggest they could be in tough this fall.
(Contributors to this preview: Rob Pettapiece, Duane Rollins.)
Coach: Jeff Cummins, fifth season. The Torrance, Calif., native, who played for the Oregon Ducks (before they had Nike CEO Phil Knight's chequebook splashed all over them) and went on to a long carer in the CFL, has brought a different look to Acadia, turning to a home state for players such as Lockwood, but bringing in a pass-oriented spread scheme.
Co-ordinators: Cummins handles the defence; Josh Lambert returns as offensive co-ordinator.
Enrolment: 2,760 undergraduate
Alumni in the CFL: Stampeders OL Godfrey Ellis
Famous non-football alumni: Federal cabinet minister Peter MacKay; TSN personality Brian Heaney (the school's athletic director); St. FX basketball coach Steve Konchalski; LPGA player Lorie Kane
Three-year record: 13-11
2007 unit rankings: 18th on offence, 22nd on defence
Key losses: FB Chris Debenedet, DT Trumaine Thomas and DE Sean Knox were the lone fifth-year Axemen in 2007. There was a conspicuous lack of any mention of leading receiver Douglas Fryer in pre-season reports.
Returning starters: Acadia returns five offensive linemen, quarterback and its two main touchdown threats on offence. The defence might have to break out the HELLO MY NAME IS stickers for the first few weeks. The secondary does have some returnees in Coley, James Michener and Matt Philbrick, who lost his 2007 season to injuries.
Players to watch: Wideout Matt Carter caught a team-high 45 passes last season and his recent blogging efforts helped us out, so obviously all objectivity should be cast aside and you should root for him to make all-Canadian. Acadia's other touchdown threat, running back Cale Inglis, also returns. The Axemen also got a big lift when left tackle Adam Rogers came back from the CFL for his final season.
Michener bears watching, since he's usually exciting in whatever capacity he's used in -- defensive back, quarterback, kicker and punter, he's tried them all.
For future reference: As you can see from the list of recruits on the Acadia Athletics website, the Axemen have a pipeline into Central Ontario, where they believe they found a quarterback of the future in 6-foot-3, 195-lb. Kyle Graves of Barrie, comes advertised as "multi-talented." Another rookie from Barrie who might catch on is DT Wade Conrad.
Jordan Linnen, of Surrey, B.C., might as well have come in with the ATH (athlete) designation, since he could ultimately end up contributing on offence and defence. The newbies on D include rush end Jake Thomas (brother of former Acadia standout Josh Thomas) and linebacker Ed McNally, a relative of former Axemen coach Dan McNally.
Schedule (swing games in bold):
Sept. 5 @ Saint Mary's
Sept. 13 Laval (Eastlink)
Sept. 20 @ St. FX
Sept. 27 Saint Mary's
Oct. 4 Mount Allison
Oct. 11 @ Sherbrooke
Oct. 18 St FX
Oct. 25 @ Mount Allison
Final analysis: Having Sherbrooke on the road and Laval at home will make it tough for Acadia to finish .500 and get home field for the AUS semi-final, let alone compete for first place.
St. FX seems to have supplanted Acadia for the time being for No. 2 in the Atlantic University Sport pecking order, although the Axemen could be back in 2009. The tough schedule and the sketchy defence suggest they could be in tough this fall.
(Contributors to this preview: Rob Pettapiece, Duane Rollins.)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
CIS Countdown: #21 St. Francis Xavier X-Men
Fast facts: Almost the champion of the AUS last year, only a narrow 25-24 Loney Bowl loss to the Saint Mary's Huskies prevented a trip to the Uteck Bowl against Laval. Saint Mary's went on to the Vanier and St. FX's performance in the clutch was obviously a good sign. Went 3-5 like fellow playoff team Acadia, but got second seeding by virtue of their 2-0 season series lead and had home field advantage in the first round, for a total of three crushing victories over the Axemen. Only one team misses the playoffs in AUS.Coach: John Bloomfield (5th season, 5th overall), who received a multi-year extension going into this year after operating on a one-year extension in 07. The school's caution was fueled by a 6-game losing streak that ended the 06 season, but the team's somewhat return to form and near-miss of the conference championship evidently fueled a new commitment to the coach. Before St. FX, Bloomfield was a highly successful high school coach with a 94-20 overall record, and offensive coordinator at Windsor.
Co-ordinators: John Darnell (Assistant HC), Gary Waterman (DC), Chris Bertoia (OL), Terry Chisholm (RB), Marvin McCooty (Graduate Assistant).
Undergraduate enrolment: 4,894
Alumni in the CFL: Calgary DB Richard Karikari & OL Derek Armstrong, Saskatchewan LB Mike McCullough, Hamilton DB Sean Manning.
Famous non-football alumni: Sportscasting legend Danny Gallivan, Nova Scotia Premiers Rodney MacDonald and Angus MacDonald, New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna, Liberal legend Allan MacEachen, Trailer Park Boys star Mike Smith (Bubbles), Canada's Worst Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
Three-year record: 10-14
2007 unit rankings: 21st offence, 21st defence
Key losses: None.
Players to watch: RB James Green is without question the offensive cornerstone and returns for his fourth year. Last year averaged 6 yards per carry and ranked second in conference rushing behind Jacques Lumbala. Starting QB Steve Snyder only threw for 140 yards per game and their leading receiver had 20 receptions and was a tight end, so look for some run-heavy play.
For future reference: Find the recruits here, your guess is as good as mine as to which are significant.
Schedule (swing games in bold):
Sep. 6 vs. Mount Allison
Sep. 13 @ Montreal
Sep. 20 vs. Acadia
Sep. 27 @ Mount Allison
Oct. 4 vs. Saint Mary's
Oct. 11 vs. McGill
Oct. 18 @ Acadia
Oct. 24 @ Saint Mary's
Final analysis: Being the only team lst to lose to Mount Allison (25-13 on the road) is an embarrassment that could be repeated, considering their home date against the Mounties last year was only a 6-point win too. Drawing McGill as a Quebec opponent is a big break, considering their Q adversaries last year were Laval (51-8 loss) and Sherbrooke (44-0). The safe bet is another showdown between the X-Men and Acadia for the right to play Saint Mary's. But remember, 75% of the teams make the playoffs, and the variation in Quebec schedules can open up a bevy of possibilities.
Monday, August 18, 2008
CIS Countdown #26: Mount Allison Mounties
Fast facts: The Varsity Blues of the AUS, perhaps? A 34 game losing streak was broken in 2006, but they haven't exactly wowed since then. They haven't won more than 2 games in a season since 1999, when they won 3. No playoffs since 1998, when they went 6-2 and finished first.Coach: Kelly Jeffrey (Interim, 1st season, 5th overall), former quarterbacks, special teams, and offensive coordinator, as well as former head coach at Mayville State University.
Co-ordinators: Patrick Le-Pain (DL), Peter Estabrooks (DC, DBs), Travis Tait (LB)
Enrolment: 2,200
Alumni in the CFL: None (Wow, both teams I preview today are the only ones without any)
Famous non-football alumni: Ian Hanomansing, PEI Premiers Angus MacLean and Catherine Callbeck
Three-year record: 3-20
2007 unit rankings: 15th offence, 24th defence
Key losses: SB Jonathan Dyer (2nd on team in receptions, 1st in yds/rec), LB Matt Harding (1st on team in tackles), Starting OLs Zack Macaulay & Gaetan Richard
Players to watch: QB Kelly Hughes led the AUS in passing yardage and total quarterback offence last year, WR Gary Ross led in all-purpose yards with almost twice as many per game (242) as the #2 thanks to his work in receiving, punt returns, and kick returns. DB Jermaine Oram was third in the AUS in tackles, while DL Dustin Timothy led the sack category.
For future reference: A couple of Nova Scotia high school stars lead the recruiting class, as the Eastern Conference offensive and defensive players of the year, RB Calum Hardie and LB Justin Richard, both of Tantramar Regional High School, will suit up for the Mounties this year.
Schedule (swing games in bold):
Sept. 6 @ St. FX
Sept. 13 Sherbrooke
Sept. 19 @ Saint Mary's
Sept. 27 St. FX
Oct. 4 @ Acadia
Oct. 11 @ Concordia
Oct. 18 Saint Mary's
Oct. 25 Acadia
Final analysis: With their one win last year a decently convincing 25-13 home victory over St. FX, and with the away rematch a close 41-35 in favour of the X-Men, that's the most likely part of the schedule to be competitive. A 6-point road loss to Acadia in the 07 season opener and a 3-point overtime loss at home also indicate those two could be competitive again. The offence was fine last year but the defence let them down consistently save for the one win. With the team losing a few key contributors, 4-4 would be a miracle. Still, unlike their similarly struggling OUA counterparts in Toronto, they will be able to keep far more games respectable and entertaining. The four against Saint Mary's, Concordia, and Sherbrooke, however, might get ugly.
Friday, June 13, 2008
CIS Corner: Anyone want to coach Mount A, eh?
This should have come to mind earlier, but there's bound to some speculation that ex-Ottawa Gee-Gees defensive co-ordinator Danny Laramee might be a good fit as the permanent coach for the Mount Allison Mounties.
Thanks is due to the commenter at The CIS Blog who pointed this out after the initial post noting that word of Steve LaLonde's departure was up on cisfootball.org. It's a little unseemly to be putting this out there, since Laramee is barely three months into his new post as assistant head coach/defensive co-ordinator with the Saint Mary's Huskies and his family is still getting settled, no doubt ... but he coached at Mount A in the '90s, and apparently his wife has some roots in Sackville, N.B.
Thanks is due to the commenter at The CIS Blog who pointed this out after the initial post noting that word of Steve LaLonde's departure was up on cisfootball.org. It's a little unseemly to be putting this out there, since Laramee is barely three months into his new post as assistant head coach/defensive co-ordinator with the Saint Mary's Huskies and his family is still getting settled, no doubt ... but he coached at Mount A in the '90s, and apparently his wife has some roots in Sackville, N.B.
That stint came during a time of great upheaval at Mount A — the head coach was dismissed after a steroids scandal — but time heals all wounds.
Meantime, this really stinks for Mount A. LaLonde was also the offensive co-ordinator. Any search for a permanent coach -- presuming they'll have an interim guy this fall -- is made harder by the reality concerning the ideal candidates. Go-getter young coaches in their 30s and early 40s have to concern themselves with their wives' careers and the schooling of their young children before they make a move. That can be trickier to manage for a school in a smaller community, compared to a hub city such as Ottawa or Halifax.
LaLonde was making some headway at Mount A. The Mounties played exciting football regardless of the score (they actually scored only seven points less than Vanier Cup champion Manitoba did in the regular season; heck, they scored more points against Saint Mary's than the Bisons did in the national championship game, although that's a very glib comparison).
It's perfectly understandable to wonder about a coach who leaves that close to the start of the season, but the facts aren't in yet. The players have apparently been informed by an e-mail, which was posted at the message board. For anyone who's interested, keep an eye on the websites from the newspapers down East.
LaLonde was making some headway at Mount A. The Mounties played exciting football regardless of the score (they actually scored only seven points less than Vanier Cup champion Manitoba did in the regular season; heck, they scored more points against Saint Mary's than the Bisons did in the national championship game, although that's a very glib comparison).
It's perfectly understandable to wonder about a coach who leaves that close to the start of the season, but the facts aren't in yet. The players have apparently been informed by an e-mail, which was posted at the message board. For anyone who's interested, keep an eye on the websites from the newspapers down East.
Related:
LaLonde leaves Mount A (Monty Mosher, Halifax Herald)
Thursday, September 06, 2007
TACKLING THE CIS: SAINT MARY'S HUSKIES
Crack open a Clancy's and break out the Sloan MP3s... you're on the East Coast now. Presenting: the Saint Mary's Huskies.
In '06: 3-4 regular season, lost 32-24 to Acadia in Loney Bowl
Players to watch: QB Erik Glavic, RB Jacques Lumbala, G Derek Weber, LB Tim St. Pierre, DL Clayton Chiurka, DB Jeff Zelinski
Head coach: Steve Sumurah (2nd season)
Co-ordinators: Sumurah (offence), Mike McLean (defence), Terry Baker (special teams)
Last league title: 2004
Big ones: Sept. 15 at Mount A, Sept. 22 vs. Concordia, Oct. 13 at Laval
On the web: huskiesdogpound.com
Strengths: Glavic leads an offence that has three returning starters on the line, a big back in Lumbala and plenty of receivers. There's a nucleus here that's weathered the loss of Blake Nill to Calgary and Sumurah's transition to the top job. They haven't won in a couple years, so they're champing at the bit, especially the St. Pierre-led defence.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... It's more a case of the whole conference being under scrutiny
OFFENCE
Last year, the take here was that the Huskies lacked a bit of an identity and that the dilemma over whether to be loyal to veteran QB Bill Robinson or give Glavic a shot would be a distraction. That turned to to be more or less true. Now Glavic is The Man and the 6-foot-6, 215-lb. two-sport athlete (he helped the SMU hoops team make a Cinderella run to the national semi-final at the CIS Final 8) could end up being the conference's nominee for the Hec Crighton Trophy.
Former Regina Ram Kyle McNeil will slide into the centre spot, with Weber moving to guard. Receiver Carl Hardwick was the team's offensive MVP last season and the return of Fraser O'Neill, who last played in '04, might give the Huskies more balance in the passing game.
DEFENCE
Saint's Mary front four returns Chiurka, conference sacks leader Brent Shabley and added tackle Dan Schutte, who was an all-star last season with Edmonton in the Prairie junior league. Andrew Paopao (son of Joe) is supposed to help SMU get more of a push up front, which will help in a conference with pass-heavy attacks such as Mount A and Acadia. St. Pierre plays on the outside, but he's kind of the Huskies' analog to Joe Barnes with the Ottawa Gee-Gees -- a linebacker who is around the the pile at the end of most running plays.
Zelinski and Tyrone Roue are the focal points of SMU's secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Justin Palardy impressed as a rookie last season, with a long field goal of 49 yards. He'll do the kicking and punting. His long snapper, Chad Moore, has graduated, so there's some turnover there. Hardwick has a fair bit of experience returning kicks.
NEED-TO-KNOW
"Smoo" is the one Atlantic school putting football on a front burner in a conference which has been more competitive nationally in men's hockey and basketball. On paper, they're set to walk through to the Jewett Trophy, but it's wearisome to read about winning a title and having however many all-stars in a 4-team conference. The best thing Saint Mary's can do this season is be competitive in the interlock vs. Concordia, if not Laval, since it's starting to become a general assumption that the Atlantic league is falling behind the rest of the CIS.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
In '06: 3-4 regular season, lost 32-24 to Acadia in Loney Bowl
Players to watch: QB Erik Glavic, RB Jacques Lumbala, G Derek Weber, LB Tim St. Pierre, DL Clayton Chiurka, DB Jeff Zelinski
Head coach: Steve Sumurah (2nd season)
Co-ordinators: Sumurah (offence), Mike McLean (defence), Terry Baker (special teams)
Last league title: 2004
Big ones: Sept. 15 at Mount A, Sept. 22 vs. Concordia, Oct. 13 at Laval
On the web: huskiesdogpound.com
Strengths: Glavic leads an offence that has three returning starters on the line, a big back in Lumbala and plenty of receivers. There's a nucleus here that's weathered the loss of Blake Nill to Calgary and Sumurah's transition to the top job. They haven't won in a couple years, so they're champing at the bit, especially the St. Pierre-led defence.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... It's more a case of the whole conference being under scrutiny
OFFENCE
Last year, the take here was that the Huskies lacked a bit of an identity and that the dilemma over whether to be loyal to veteran QB Bill Robinson or give Glavic a shot would be a distraction. That turned to to be more or less true. Now Glavic is The Man and the 6-foot-6, 215-lb. two-sport athlete (he helped the SMU hoops team make a Cinderella run to the national semi-final at the CIS Final 8) could end up being the conference's nominee for the Hec Crighton Trophy.
Former Regina Ram Kyle McNeil will slide into the centre spot, with Weber moving to guard. Receiver Carl Hardwick was the team's offensive MVP last season and the return of Fraser O'Neill, who last played in '04, might give the Huskies more balance in the passing game.
DEFENCE
Saint's Mary front four returns Chiurka, conference sacks leader Brent Shabley and added tackle Dan Schutte, who was an all-star last season with Edmonton in the Prairie junior league. Andrew Paopao (son of Joe) is supposed to help SMU get more of a push up front, which will help in a conference with pass-heavy attacks such as Mount A and Acadia. St. Pierre plays on the outside, but he's kind of the Huskies' analog to Joe Barnes with the Ottawa Gee-Gees -- a linebacker who is around the the pile at the end of most running plays.
Zelinski and Tyrone Roue are the focal points of SMU's secondary.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Justin Palardy impressed as a rookie last season, with a long field goal of 49 yards. He'll do the kicking and punting. His long snapper, Chad Moore, has graduated, so there's some turnover there. Hardwick has a fair bit of experience returning kicks.
NEED-TO-KNOW
"Smoo" is the one Atlantic school putting football on a front burner in a conference which has been more competitive nationally in men's hockey and basketball. On paper, they're set to walk through to the Jewett Trophy, but it's wearisome to read about winning a title and having however many all-stars in a 4-team conference. The best thing Saint Mary's can do this season is be competitive in the interlock vs. Concordia, if not Laval, since it's starting to become a general assumption that the Atlantic league is falling behind the rest of the CIS.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
TACKLING THE CIS: ST. FRANCIS XAVIER X-MEN
Presenting: the St. Francis Xavier X-Men.
In '06: 2-5, lost to Saint Mary's 24-6 in conference semi-final
Players to watch: DE Yahia Dalloul, CB Jonathan Hood, RB Tyler Kirby, TE Jeremy Marchand, DB Steve McCart, QB Corbin Sharun
Coach: John Bloomfield (4th season)
Co-ordinators: Chris Bertoia (offensive) Gary Waterman (defensive)
Last league title: 1996
Big ones: Sept. 22 at Mount Allison, Sept. 29 vs. Laval, Oct. 26 at Acadia
On the web: xmenfootball.ca
Strengths: X quietly finished seventh in the country in total defence last season; it's lost D-lineman Adam Kania and D-back Travis Noel but most of the proven players seem to be on this side of the ball.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... The two touchdown threats, slotback Bryan Pozzobon and tailback Marvin McCooty, have to be replaced and Sharun is a first-time starting QB. The X-Men's issues, though, go beyond some turnover at the skill positions.
OFFENCE
There's nowhere to go but up, that's the positive spin. X finished 25th of 27 teams in the CIS in total offence and scored just one touchdown across the final six games of last season. Sharun is opening the season at QB after being the X's relief pitcher, so to speak, during its second-half struggles in 2006.
Marchand (400 yards on 24 catches in '06) is a 'tweener who can play tight end (a position almost extinct in Canadian ball), a little fullback and create matchup problems for linebackers and DBs. Kirby and James Green return at tailback, and 230-pounder James Cochrane, who played for some top junior teams with the Ottawa Sooners, has joined the program.
DEFENCE
Bloomfield told the Halifax Herald the other day the D-line could be the "true strength" of the team. It's hard to see why not with Dalloul and Dave Skillen (whose brother John is a starting linebacker) at the ends, plus intriguing newcomer Jon Emminger, a D-tackle from Tampa, Florida. Hood and McCart are fourth-year players who were part of the modicum of success X enjoyed in 2005, when it lost to Acadia in the conference final.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kyle Chisholm, who's bounced between a couple programs, is taking over the kicking duties for the X-Men, replacing all-star Kyle Henderson.
NEED-TO-KNOW
X is fighting the current in CIS football. In the summer, Bloomfield sent out a newsletter (as many coaches do) reminding fans and grads to remember St. FX''s program "is unique among CIS football schools in that the bulk of our funding of this program comes from our alumni and not from private 'ownership' and/or corporate sponsorships/donations." You can see how it becomes a double-edged sword for one of Canada's great schools. It needs to win to get the money donated to football, but it's hard to win without money coming in. Meantime, as a school in a smaller community, there's less access to those corporate dollars and a multinational looking to create brand awareness is more likely to hit up a larger, urban campus. That's not meant in a mean sense, it's just the times we're in.
The X name does carry a long way and the school has an awesome sports tradition and school spirit, but games are played in the present. They look like the odd team out in the Atlantic this season, but they'll be heard from during the hockey/basketball season.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
In '06: 2-5, lost to Saint Mary's 24-6 in conference semi-final
Players to watch: DE Yahia Dalloul, CB Jonathan Hood, RB Tyler Kirby, TE Jeremy Marchand, DB Steve McCart, QB Corbin Sharun
Coach: John Bloomfield (4th season)
Co-ordinators: Chris Bertoia (offensive) Gary Waterman (defensive)
Last league title: 1996
Big ones: Sept. 22 at Mount Allison, Sept. 29 vs. Laval, Oct. 26 at Acadia
On the web: xmenfootball.ca
Strengths: X quietly finished seventh in the country in total defence last season; it's lost D-lineman Adam Kania and D-back Travis Noel but most of the proven players seem to be on this side of the ball.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... The two touchdown threats, slotback Bryan Pozzobon and tailback Marvin McCooty, have to be replaced and Sharun is a first-time starting QB. The X-Men's issues, though, go beyond some turnover at the skill positions.
OFFENCE
There's nowhere to go but up, that's the positive spin. X finished 25th of 27 teams in the CIS in total offence and scored just one touchdown across the final six games of last season. Sharun is opening the season at QB after being the X's relief pitcher, so to speak, during its second-half struggles in 2006.
Marchand (400 yards on 24 catches in '06) is a 'tweener who can play tight end (a position almost extinct in Canadian ball), a little fullback and create matchup problems for linebackers and DBs. Kirby and James Green return at tailback, and 230-pounder James Cochrane, who played for some top junior teams with the Ottawa Sooners, has joined the program.
DEFENCE
Bloomfield told the Halifax Herald the other day the D-line could be the "true strength" of the team. It's hard to see why not with Dalloul and Dave Skillen (whose brother John is a starting linebacker) at the ends, plus intriguing newcomer Jon Emminger, a D-tackle from Tampa, Florida. Hood and McCart are fourth-year players who were part of the modicum of success X enjoyed in 2005, when it lost to Acadia in the conference final.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kyle Chisholm, who's bounced between a couple programs, is taking over the kicking duties for the X-Men, replacing all-star Kyle Henderson.
NEED-TO-KNOW
X is fighting the current in CIS football. In the summer, Bloomfield sent out a newsletter (as many coaches do) reminding fans and grads to remember St. FX''s program "is unique among CIS football schools in that the bulk of our funding of this program comes from our alumni and not from private 'ownership' and/or corporate sponsorships/donations." You can see how it becomes a double-edged sword for one of Canada's great schools. It needs to win to get the money donated to football, but it's hard to win without money coming in. Meantime, as a school in a smaller community, there's less access to those corporate dollars and a multinational looking to create brand awareness is more likely to hit up a larger, urban campus. That's not meant in a mean sense, it's just the times we're in.
The X name does carry a long way and the school has an awesome sports tradition and school spirit, but games are played in the present. They look like the odd team out in the Atlantic this season, but they'll be heard from during the hockey/basketball season.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
TACKLING THE CIS: MOUNT ALLISON MOUNTIES
Did it just get a lot more cerebral in here? Yep, that must mean we're up to the Mount Allison Mounties.
In '06: 2-5 regular season, lost 16-6 to Acadia in conference semi-final
Players to watch: QB Kelly Hughes, WR Gary Ross, OT Zac Macaulay, OT Gaetan Richard, LB Jerome Downey, LB Matt Harding, DE Scott Sheffer
Coach: Steve Lalonde (3rd season)
Co-ordinators: Lalonde (offensive), Peter Estabrooks (defensive), Kelly Jeffrey (special teams)
Last league title: 1997
Big ones: Sept. 8 vs. Acadia (at Halifax), Oct. 6 vs. Acadia
On the web: mta.ca/football
Strengths: Hughes and Ross, each entering their second season, give Mount A one of the best passer-receiver combos in the country. Mount A is set up to play shootout football.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... The defence gave up far and away the most yards in the Atlantic last season even with the considerable improvements it made over the nightmarish past few seasons. Mount A will probably have better but younger talent at many positions, which means it could be a year away from making a serious run in the conference.
OFFENCE
Mount A will probably have to play its trump card, throwing first and running maybe later. Hughes and Ross, as noted, make a nice combo, while Jon Dyer and Adam Molnar (formerly of Holy Cross in the NCAA) are also expected to be the QB's main targets. The offensive line returns the centre and both tackles. The rule of thumb with the O-line is the players always improve the longer they're together.
Hughes might have to be his own running game. Leading rushers T.J. Williams and Colin Weldon are not back.
DEFENCE
It's been boys against men in the tackle box for Mount A for a long time and that figure of 501 yards allowed per game last season is really eye-popping when you consider the schedule included two struggling offensive teams, Bishop's and St. FX.
Matt Harding sat out last season, so his return will help in the short run. In the long run, LaLonde has focused on improving the defensive backfield, both in quality and quantity. The hope from Mount A is that projected starting corners Bradley Daye and Jermaine Oram will play well enough that Mount A can apply more pressure.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker Euan Crisp, from Toronto-area powerhouse Northern Secondary, was a considered a big recruiting coup when he signed on at Mount A before last season. He went 8-for-13 with a long of 42 yards and might also take on the punting duties, although Olivier Eddie is also in the mix. Mount A's lack of depth beyond the first name on the depth chart has hurt the coverage and return teams. Along with catching the ball, Ross can also be a return man.
NEED-TO-KNOW
The buzz originating out of Sackville, New Brunswick is so persistent it could keep the two official siblings of Out of Left Field currently based in Saint John from getting down to a nice, restful sleep at night.
It would be a fantastic sports story if Mount A goes from being outscored 379-23 in 2005 to playing in the Loney Bowl (the conference final) two years later. It played Acadia tough in last season's semi-final and might have had a shot at sticking the dagger if a couple of long passes had been caught.
Mount A still faces questions about long-term competitiveness that other small Eastern Canada schools such as Bishop's and St. FX are facing, but it's got a glimmer of hope for the first time in several seasons. A 3-5 finish -- sweep X, split with Acadia or beat Bishop's in the interlock -- seems like the safe call.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
In '06: 2-5 regular season, lost 16-6 to Acadia in conference semi-final
Players to watch: QB Kelly Hughes, WR Gary Ross, OT Zac Macaulay, OT Gaetan Richard, LB Jerome Downey, LB Matt Harding, DE Scott Sheffer
Coach: Steve Lalonde (3rd season)
Co-ordinators: Lalonde (offensive), Peter Estabrooks (defensive), Kelly Jeffrey (special teams)
Last league title: 1997
Big ones: Sept. 8 vs. Acadia (at Halifax), Oct. 6 vs. Acadia
On the web: mta.ca/football
Strengths: Hughes and Ross, each entering their second season, give Mount A one of the best passer-receiver combos in the country. Mount A is set up to play shootout football.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... The defence gave up far and away the most yards in the Atlantic last season even with the considerable improvements it made over the nightmarish past few seasons. Mount A will probably have better but younger talent at many positions, which means it could be a year away from making a serious run in the conference.
OFFENCE
Mount A will probably have to play its trump card, throwing first and running maybe later. Hughes and Ross, as noted, make a nice combo, while Jon Dyer and Adam Molnar (formerly of Holy Cross in the NCAA) are also expected to be the QB's main targets. The offensive line returns the centre and both tackles. The rule of thumb with the O-line is the players always improve the longer they're together.
Hughes might have to be his own running game. Leading rushers T.J. Williams and Colin Weldon are not back.
DEFENCE
It's been boys against men in the tackle box for Mount A for a long time and that figure of 501 yards allowed per game last season is really eye-popping when you consider the schedule included two struggling offensive teams, Bishop's and St. FX.
Matt Harding sat out last season, so his return will help in the short run. In the long run, LaLonde has focused on improving the defensive backfield, both in quality and quantity. The hope from Mount A is that projected starting corners Bradley Daye and Jermaine Oram will play well enough that Mount A can apply more pressure.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker Euan Crisp, from Toronto-area powerhouse Northern Secondary, was a considered a big recruiting coup when he signed on at Mount A before last season. He went 8-for-13 with a long of 42 yards and might also take on the punting duties, although Olivier Eddie is also in the mix. Mount A's lack of depth beyond the first name on the depth chart has hurt the coverage and return teams. Along with catching the ball, Ross can also be a return man.
NEED-TO-KNOW
The buzz originating out of Sackville, New Brunswick is so persistent it could keep the two official siblings of Out of Left Field currently based in Saint John from getting down to a nice, restful sleep at night.
It would be a fantastic sports story if Mount A goes from being outscored 379-23 in 2005 to playing in the Loney Bowl (the conference final) two years later. It played Acadia tough in last season's semi-final and might have had a shot at sticking the dagger if a couple of long passes had been caught.
Mount A still faces questions about long-term competitiveness that other small Eastern Canada schools such as Bishop's and St. FX are facing, but it's got a glimmer of hope for the first time in several seasons. A 3-5 finish -- sweep X, split with Acadia or beat Bishop's in the interlock -- seems like the safe call.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
TACKLING THE CIS: ACADIA AXEMEN
Hope you left room in the trunk for a big bushel basket since it's almost apple-picking season in the bucolic Annapolis Valley... Presenting: the Acadia Axemen.
In '06: 5-3, beat Saint Mary's 32-24 in Loney Bowl, lost 57-10 to Laval in national semi-final
Players to watch: WR Matt Carter, KR-DB Najja Coley, RB Cale Inglis, QB Keith Lockwood, DB-K James Michener, S Elliott Richardson
Coach: Jeff Cummins (4th season)
Co-ordinators: Cummins (defensive), Josh Lambert (offensive)
Last league title: 2006
Big ones: Sept. 22 at McGill, Oct. 19 at Saint Mary's, Oct. 26 vs. St. Francis Xavier
On the web: ace.acadiau.ca/sports
Strengths: The offensive line is more or less back intact and Cummins has pretty literally spanned the continent to find replacements for the Chris Judd & Ivan Birungi show. Acadia is preaching balance on offence after being a little pass-heavy in the past.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... Heavy turnover among the team's leaders has many people predicting a drop-off for the two-time Atlantic champs, since it lost a lot of experience. The defence had some big letdowns last season and has to replace its leader, linebacker Steve Faoro.
OFFENCE
Cummins' idea of the Acadia Advantage is tapping into his California roots to restock the passing game. Keith Lockwood followed Chris Judd at a L.A.-area junior college and now he's won the starting job at Acadia, with Judd staying on as quarterbacks coach. Lockwood's going to face the learning curve all American QBs do when they adjust to the unique geometry of Canadian ball and having to account for an extra defender (note that Calgary's junior college transfer QB, Casey Brown, isn't starting), but it's probably smarter to go with the best athlete.
Carter was one of Canada's best No. 2 receivers complementing Hec Crighton Trophy finalist Birungi the past couple seasons. Among the pass catchers, A.J. Moskus, another Californian and a converted high school quarterback. Acadia might take it slow early on and try to run the ball until Lockwood settles in. The offensive line is all back and Inglis was an Atlantic all-star last season.
DEFENCE
His literary namesake knew from thick books, but Acadia's James Michener had to learn a new playbook (sorry) in training camp after switching to from quarterback to defensive halfback. Having a player who's been around for a few seasons switch sides usually raises questions about the depth and overall skill at the group he's joining. Michener is joining a group that does have a veteran safety in Richardson.
The Axemen are a little deeper in the front seven. Five linebackers who've played significant minutes return to try and off-set the loss of Faoro. Do keep in mind this is a group that gave up 207 rushing yards to Saint Mary's Jacques Lumbala in the Loney Bowl and also gave up 42 and 57 points in games vs. Quebec teams.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The specialists have been pretty solid for the Axemen. Michener, who comes off as one of those all-around athlete types, was an all-Canadian pick as a punter and also handles kickoffs and field goals. Coley is the Axemen version of an "offensive defensive back." He had three kick-return TDs in '06, including two that earned him the most valuable player honours in the Loney Bowl win over Saint Mary's.
NEED-TO-KNOW
The Axemen have been on quite a roll, winning Atlantic conference titles in basketball and hockey to go along with back-to-back Jewett Trophies. That's bound to even out, so it might be worth noting that Acadia's winning margin in the conference final vs. SMU was furnished by having a punt and kickoff returned for TDs in the same game, which some teams never experience in a dozen seasons.
The Axemen did make out OK in the interlock, drawing Bishop's and McGill as their Quebec opponents. That might help them make it a race against Saint Mary's for the bye into the final that goes to the first-place team. A step back might come this season, but Cummins has a decent program.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
In '06: 5-3, beat Saint Mary's 32-24 in Loney Bowl, lost 57-10 to Laval in national semi-final
Players to watch: WR Matt Carter, KR-DB Najja Coley, RB Cale Inglis, QB Keith Lockwood, DB-K James Michener, S Elliott Richardson
Coach: Jeff Cummins (4th season)
Co-ordinators: Cummins (defensive), Josh Lambert (offensive)
Last league title: 2006
Big ones: Sept. 22 at McGill, Oct. 19 at Saint Mary's, Oct. 26 vs. St. Francis Xavier
On the web: ace.acadiau.ca/sports
Strengths: The offensive line is more or less back intact and Cummins has pretty literally spanned the continent to find replacements for the Chris Judd & Ivan Birungi show. Acadia is preaching balance on offence after being a little pass-heavy in the past.
Mountains to climb, rivers to cross... Heavy turnover among the team's leaders has many people predicting a drop-off for the two-time Atlantic champs, since it lost a lot of experience. The defence had some big letdowns last season and has to replace its leader, linebacker Steve Faoro.
OFFENCE
Cummins' idea of the Acadia Advantage is tapping into his California roots to restock the passing game. Keith Lockwood followed Chris Judd at a L.A.-area junior college and now he's won the starting job at Acadia, with Judd staying on as quarterbacks coach. Lockwood's going to face the learning curve all American QBs do when they adjust to the unique geometry of Canadian ball and having to account for an extra defender (note that Calgary's junior college transfer QB, Casey Brown, isn't starting), but it's probably smarter to go with the best athlete.
Carter was one of Canada's best No. 2 receivers complementing Hec Crighton Trophy finalist Birungi the past couple seasons. Among the pass catchers, A.J. Moskus, another Californian and a converted high school quarterback. Acadia might take it slow early on and try to run the ball until Lockwood settles in. The offensive line is all back and Inglis was an Atlantic all-star last season.
DEFENCE
His literary namesake knew from thick books, but Acadia's James Michener had to learn a new playbook (sorry) in training camp after switching to from quarterback to defensive halfback. Having a player who's been around for a few seasons switch sides usually raises questions about the depth and overall skill at the group he's joining. Michener is joining a group that does have a veteran safety in Richardson.
The Axemen are a little deeper in the front seven. Five linebackers who've played significant minutes return to try and off-set the loss of Faoro. Do keep in mind this is a group that gave up 207 rushing yards to Saint Mary's Jacques Lumbala in the Loney Bowl and also gave up 42 and 57 points in games vs. Quebec teams.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The specialists have been pretty solid for the Axemen. Michener, who comes off as one of those all-around athlete types, was an all-Canadian pick as a punter and also handles kickoffs and field goals. Coley is the Axemen version of an "offensive defensive back." He had three kick-return TDs in '06, including two that earned him the most valuable player honours in the Loney Bowl win over Saint Mary's.
NEED-TO-KNOW
The Axemen have been on quite a roll, winning Atlantic conference titles in basketball and hockey to go along with back-to-back Jewett Trophies. That's bound to even out, so it might be worth noting that Acadia's winning margin in the conference final vs. SMU was furnished by having a punt and kickoff returned for TDs in the same game, which some teams never experience in a dozen seasons.
The Axemen did make out OK in the interlock, drawing Bishop's and McGill as their Quebec opponents. That might help them make it a race against Saint Mary's for the bye into the final that goes to the first-place team. A step back might come this season, but Cummins has a decent program.
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
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