OVFL Preview (Kingston Varsity): Under Coach Dearborn players keep eye on goal

For seven seasons The Limestone District Grenadier Football Club has operated a Varsity (under 20) team in the Ontario Varsity Football League. The Club franchise draws players from Frontenac, Hastings, Lanark, Leeds, Lennox and Prince Edward counties. The league boasts a number of player alumni in Canadian & US universities, the Canadian Football League and in the National level. There are over thirty former Grenadiers listed on Canadian university rosters. The club also operates a Junior (under 17) team and a newly acquired Bantam crew.
Every varsity football player has a dream of playing in the National Football League. That’s why Ken Dearborn, head coach of the Varsity Grenadiers, always likes to remind his players to think about the next game and after that one, think of the next. “We never look that far ahead,” said Dearborn during a controlled scrimmage on Sunday, April 29, 2012. “While it is important to dream and to have long range goals, we try to focus only on the next opponent.”
To stay strong and to push forward through the season and in to the finals, a team needs to stay strong and positive. To keep moral up and the Grenadiers motivated, Coach Dearborn relies heavily on his team captains. “This is their team and they are responsible to take the team upon their shoulders,” said the coach of Josh Hill.
In the offensive zone, Grenadiers quarterback Tyler Filson, who threw for 16 completions and 230 yards last season, is sought to have an outstanding season. On the receiving end of things, the Grenadiers show a very strong line with players like Ben Fisher, Steve Knapton and Travis Pascoal. Returning receivers are Vadim Ignatov and Alex Gagnon, between the two of them they had nine receptions running for 152 yards. Returners Riley Tripp (RB), Eric Dodwell (FB) along with junior varsity runners Damon Brant and Dalton Brown and newcomer Dishaine Thompson (RB) will give the Grenadiers a very respectable running game. During the 2011 season, Brant and Brown had a combined 767 rushing yards for the Junior Varsity Grenadiers. Greggs Farish returns at center and will be a huge factor in leading this group to the end zone.

Defensively Josh Hill (LB), Hayden Peters (DB), Kyle Sovie (DE) with eight sacks last season and Taylor Ferrell (DB) should have good seasons. The Grenadiers have added some depth with the likes of Josh Dumaresq (LB) and returning players Micah Baerwald (DE) and Dylan Akey (DT).
“I admire so many of these kids and the talents they bring,” said Dearborn. “I am confident our defense will pose some difficulties for our opponents.”
Returning for his fourth season of coaching with the Varsity Grenadiers is defensive coordinator Bob Mullen. For years he was the defensive coordinator for the Queen’s University Golden Gaels where he gained a reputation as one of the finest defensive strategists in the country at any level.
At the end of the day, to win games a team needs a great offense to score points, but you also need defense. What are the overall defensive skills that a great defense needs to have? “Defensively, I think we need a balance of speed, intelligence and aggressiveness,” said Dearborn. “A bit of swagger helps too.”
Coach Dearborn would like to welcome Warren Goldie, a former Queen’s offensive coordinator, as an assistant to Tim Pendergast, Grenadiers offensive coordinator. “Between the two of them, I believe we will be able to stress some defenses,” said Dearborn. Josh Thompson, a former running back for the Grenadiers, is also welcomed to the coaching staff. Chris Shilbley (StFX) and Jacob Harpell (Guelph) have returned to the Grenadiers as defensive coaches this season.
“Adding these individuals to an already strong coaching staff offers our kids an opportunity to significantly improve their games,” said Dearborn.
The Varsity Grenadiers first game of the season kicks off against Ottawa Myers Riders on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 3:30pm at Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute.

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OVFL Preview (Kingston Varsity): Under Coach Dearborn players keep eye on goal

Every varsity football player has a dream of playing in the National Football League. That’s why Ken Dearborn, head coach of the Varsity Grenadiers, always likes to remind his players to think about the next game and after that one, think of the next. “We never look that far ahead,” said Dearborn during a controlled scrimmage on Sunday, April 29, 2012. “While it is important to dream and to have long range goals, we try to focus only on the next opponent.”

To stay strong and to push forward through the season and in to the finals, a team needs to stay strong and positive. To keep moral up and the Grenadiers motivated, Coach Dearborn relies heavily on his team captains. “This is their team and they are responsible to take the team upon their shoulders,” said the coach of Josh Hill.

In the offensive zone, Grenadiers quarterback Tyler Filson, who threw for 16 completions and 230 yards last season, is sought to have an outstanding season. On the receiving end of things, the Grenadiers show a very strong line with players like Ben Fisher, Steve Knapton and Travis Pascoal. Returning receivers are Vadim Ignatov and Alex Gagnon, between the two of them they had nine receptions running for 152 yards. Returners Riley Tripp (RB), Eric Dodwell (FB) along with junior varsity runners Damon Brant and Dalton Brown and newcomer Dishaine Thompson (RB) will give the Grenadiers a very respectable running game. During the 2011 season, Brant and Brown had a combined 767 rushing yards for the Junior Varsity Grenadiers. Greggs Farish returns at center and will be a huge factor in leading this group to the end zone.

Quarterback Tyler Filson, Varsity Grenadiers, looks downfield
for an open teammate to score the touchdown. Filson and
the Varsity Grenadiers held a controlled scrimmage on
Sunday, April 29, 2012. (Photo by: Eric Healey)

Defensively Josh Hill (LB), Hayden Peters (DB), Kyle Sovie (DE) with eight sacks last season and Taylor Ferrell (DB) should have good seasons. The Grenadiers have added some depth with the likes of Josh Dumaresq (LB) and returning players Micah Baerwald (DE) and Dylan Akey (DT).

“I admire so many of these kids and the talents they bring,” said Dearborn. “I am confident our defense will pose some difficulties for our opponents.”

Returning for his fourth season of coaching with the Varsity Grenadiers is defensive coordinator Bob Mullen. For years he was the defensive coordinator for the Queen’s University Golden Gaels where he gained a reputation as one of the finest defensive strategists in the country at any level.

At the end of the day, to win games a team needs a great offense to score points, but you also need defense. What are the overall defensive skills that a great defense needs to have? “Defensively, I think we need a balance of speed, intelligence and aggressiveness,” said Dearborn. “A bit of swagger helps too.”

Coach Dearborn would like to welcome Warren Goldie, a former Queen’s offensive coordinator, as an assistant to Tim Pendergast, Grenadiers offensive coordinator. “Between the two of them, I believe we will be able to stress some defenses,” said Dearborn. Josh Thompson, a former running back for the Grenadiers, is also welcomed to the coaching staff. Chris Shilbley (StFX) and Jacob Harpell (Guelph) have returned to the Grenadiers as defensive coaches this season.

“Adding these individuals to an already strong coaching staff offers our kids an opportunity to significantly improve their games,” said Dearborn.

The Varsity Grenadiers first game of the season kicks off against Ottawa Myers Riders on Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 3:30pm at Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute.