2013 Bison Football Canada West Preview

2013 Bison Football Canada West Preview
The refrain you will hear all year in 2013 is a new era for the Manitoba Bisons football team as they leave the old University Stadium and take residence in the brand new Investors Group Field on the U of Manitoba Fort Garry campus.

With the new digs, the Bisons want to build on their first playoff action last season since winning the 2007 Vanier Cup (CIS football championship). That said, there were no less than 15 graduates from the program after a 4-4 conference regular season record and key departures at the quarterback, receiver, defensive line, linebacker, offensive line and safety position.

The new Bisons will have a new starting pivot as Cam Clark finished his fifth year and incumbent Marc Paquette will battle with highly sought-out recruit Jordan Yantz. Yantz was the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) Most Outstanding Offensive Player (the Peter Dalla Riva award) in the 2012 season with the Vancouver Island raiders junior team and has two years left of eligibility to play at the CIS (Canadian Interuniversity Sport) level after he completed his junior years.

At running back, two-time CIS All-Canadian Anthony Coombs returns for his third season along side third year veteran Kienan LaFrance. The dynamic tandem should continue to move the ball on the ground as three of five returning offensive lineman  (Tyler Fabbri, Nevin Gamblin, Alex McKay) plus Kwin Albino has experience as a starter in the past.

At receivers, two-time CIS All-Canadian Nic Demski, in his third season, moves from running back to slotback position and now gives another target to throw to. He will compliment returning Bisons Andrew Smith and Danny Turek with newcomers, from junior football, Dustin Pedersen and Matt Sawyer should make an immediate impact this season.

On special teams, Nick Boyd returns to continue his solid kicking duties and adds punting this season to his placekicking prowess while Demski and Coombs will be readily available on kick returns to electrify the new stadium faithfuls.

For the defence, the front four is poised to be a dominant force in 2013. All four are returning Bisons with last season’s Canada West sack leader Lauren Kroeker (fourth season) is at one end position and Ranji Atwall (fifth season) and the other end side with Evan Gill (third year) and David Onyemata (second year) playing inside tackle positions.

The linebackers will have to replace fifth year captain Thomas Hall but have returning Thomas Miles and Bami Adewale to bolster the front seven. New to the Bisons, Jonathan Jones and Tyler Lee bring tons of junior experience to LB side.

In the secondary, now Winnipeg Blue Bomber and two-time CIS All-Canadian Teague Sherman has graduated out of the safety position and there will be a battle for a replacement. There are several Bison vets who will be in the mix starting with Brett MacFarlane, David Ferrier, Connor Lesperance, Mitchell Harrison and others. Two newcomers to watch for are Tremaine Apperley and Jayden McKoy who look to impress prior to the start of the season.

The Bisons seek to take the next step and christen the new stadium by not only play winning football, but also host a playoff game for the first time since 2007. The veterans and newcomers look to start a ‘new era’ on a winning note and return the Bison to the tradition of winning championship, sooner rather than later.

General Info

Team: Manitoba Bisons
Name of Venue: Investors Group Field
Head Coach: Brian Dobie/18th year
Conference: Canada West

Quick Facts

2012 Canada West Standings Finish:    4-4, 4th in Canada West

2012 Canada West Playoffs: Qualified for playoffs; lost to Calgary on road in Canada West Semi-Final

Key Returnees: Anthony Coombs (RB/KR), Nic Demski (SB/KR), Marc Paquette (QB), Kienan LaFrance (RB), Andrew Smith (SB), Danny Turek (SB), Evan Gill (DL), Lauren Kroeker (DL), Ranji Atwall (DL), David Onyemata (DL), Bami Adewale (LB), Thomas Miles (LB), Brett MacFarlane (DB), David Ferrier (DB), Nick Boyd (K),

Key Additions: Jordan Yantz (QB), Dustin Pedersen (WR), Matt Sawyer (WR/SB), Jonathan Jones (LB), Tyler Lee (DL/LB), Sonu Kainth (DL), Tremaine Apperley (DB), Jayden McKoy (DB),

Key Departures: Cam Clark (QB), Landon Rice (OL), Teague Sherman (S), Thomas Hall (LB), Adam Hindley (DL), Jesses Schryver (DL), Xavier Johnson (WR/KR), Brendon Bowman (WR/K)