Waterloo Warriors season preview

2015 regular season record: 0-8

2015 regular season standings: 11^th (OUA)

2015 playoff record: DNQ

General Write-Up:  

Touted as one of the best recruiting classes in the history of the program, the 2016 Waterloo Warriors football season brings with it plenty of optimism.  With over 60 commits the future looks bright for a young Warriors squad.

This year’s recruiting class includes seven local players that will wear the black & gold.  Included in this group are District 8 MVP Devon Hinsperger, and returning to the area after two years at St. Francis Prep School in New York is all-state recruit Brandon Metz.  The Warriors have also added highly recruited running back Dion Pellerin of Abbotsford, B.C.

The 2016 recruiting class addresses many needs for the Warrior football program to develop into a competitive program.  Twenty eight members of this recruiting class were named as major award winners or all-stars in their respective regions.

The Warriors also return some key veterans as third year quarterback Lucas McConnell looks poised for his best season yet after spending two weeks with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at their QB internship program.  Defensive back Jordan Hoover returns for his fourth year of eligibility as the agile and powerful defender looks to keep the opposition in check.  A pair of slotback’s Mitch Kernick and Blair Mckay will also play key roles in Waterloo’s offence.

Quote from head coach: Chris Bertoia (2^nd season)

“We are looking forward to our most competitive season in several years,” said head coach Chris Bertoia.  “There is a new level of optimism and we are hoping for a quick start and hope to get better each and every game.  We have some key veterans returning who will provide stability on and off the field while our recruiting class was one of our best ever addressing depth concerns and student-athletes that bring size and speed to both sides of the ball.”

Head Coach: Chris Bertoia

– Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2016): 2

– Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2016): 2

– Career regular season record with team: 0-8

– Career regular season record in CIS: 0-8

 

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 15 

Key returning players:

Lucas McConell – QB

Mitch Kernick – SB

Blair Mckay – SB

Key recruits or transfers:

Brandon Metz (Cambridge, ON) – RB

Dion Pellerin (Abbotsford, BC) – RB

Ethan Belbeck (Hamilton, ON) – QB

Jake Nesbitt (Ottawa, ON) – OL

Key losses:

Ryan DiRisio – RB

Cody Tapsell – FB

Danny Silvestri – RB

Brock Thomson – OL 

 

Number of returning starters:

Key returning players:

Jordan Hoover – DB

Brandon Corelli – LB

Paul Kaija – LB

Lucas Merlin – DB

Key recruits or transfers:

Devon Hinsperger (Waterloo, ON) – LB

Cordell Bujold-Abu (Mississauga, ON) – DE

Kurtis Gray (Waterloo, ON) – LB

Josh Brown (Etobicoke, ON) – DT

Key losses:

Brendan Conway – LB

Christian Mahler – DB

Greg Zaitz – LB

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:

Brandon Corelli – LS

Nick Norwood – Cover

Key losses:

Danny Silvestri

Lam Diing