Axemen head coach Jeff Cummins pleased with second round of recruits

Acadia Football announces recent addition of committed recruits

WOLFVILLE, NS – Axemen football team is pleased to announce the second wave of student-athletes who will join the Axemen roster this coming 2012 season.

Head coach Jeff Cummins is pleased with the calibur of recruits this season and looks forward to training camp set for August XX

“We are excited about the upcoming 2012 season and with this announcement that feeling only grows stronger. Our recent 2011 AUS championship has allowed us to be very successful in adding to our current roster a group of very talented student-athletes. We believe this new breed of Axemen will allow us to compete at every position this fall and fill any, and all need positions. I can’t wait until August when we get to turn these guys lose out on Raymond field”

Leading this round of recruits is Bedford, N.S. native Jordan Koch who was named as a Nova Scotia High School All-Star this past season while playing for the C.P. Allen High School Cheetas (more below).

Thomas Troop, a 6′, 200 lbs. running back from Banting Memorial High School in Alliston, Ont. will bring size to the Axemen’s running game that finished second in the AUS last season (more below).

The defensive unit will be bolstered with teh addition of 6′ 220 lbs. linebacker James Mau from Ottawa, Ont.. Mau was an Ontario Varsity Football League all-star last season (more below).

Rounding out the top four of the announced recruits is Izvor Gnjidic, a 6’6″ 205 lbs. quarterback from Toronto, Ont. Gnjidic brings size and experience from his play in the OVFL and Richview Collegiate (more below).

Additional 2012 committed student-athletes list:

Stephen Day – 6′, 185 lbs. – Running Back – Madison Area High School (Madison, Maine)
Stephen will be coming up North to play for the Axemen after starring for Madison Area High School in Maine. With a great frame and the ability to bust long runs, Stephen will come into camp looking to compete early and often.

Kyle Douthwright – 6’4”, 300 lbs. – OL – Oromocto High School (Lincoln, N.B.)
Kyle has fantastic size and his leadership abilities that will be a welcome addition to the Axemen Family. A member of Team New Brunswick and a 2011 New Brunswick High School All-Star, Kyle will be following in the footsteps of current Axemen and former Oromocto High School lineman Ethan Charters.

Jordan Koch – 6’1”, 170 lbs. – Receiver – C.P. Allen High School (Bedford, N.S.)
Koch is a two-time Nova Scotia High School All-Star and a member of the 2011 Team Nova Scotia Canada Cup Team. He will add speed to the receiving corps and has the ability to be a factor early in his career at Acadia.

Jacob Hanscom – 6’3″, 310 lbs. – Offensive Lineman – Leo Hayes High School (Fredericton, N.B.)
Jacob is a fantastic run blocker who combines great size with a noticeable mean streak. A 2011 New Brunswick High School All-Star, Jacob is an intelligent football player who is a student of the game and will add much needed size to the OL position.

Robert Adams -n 5’9′, 210 lbs. – Running Back – Horton High School (Wolfville, N.S.)
Local talent Robert Adams will be joining the Axemen after starring for Horton High School of the Annapolis Valley. Robert led all Nova Scotia rushers last year and started for Team Nova Scotia in the 2011 Canada Cup. A naturally strong kid, Robert should pack on muscle quickly and will be expected to be a physical player for the Axemen.

Andrew Adams – 6’3′, 185 lbs. – Quarterback – C.P. Allen High School (Bedford, NS)
Andrew will be following in the footsteps of his older brother Mike when he steps on campus this fall. A very good athlete, Andrew played QB this past fall after leading C.P. Allen High School on 2010. His length allows him to eat up yards and will be expected to stretch the field vertically.

Derek Naugler – 6’2″, 210 lbs.- Linebacker – Cobequid Education Centre (Truro, N.S.)
Derek comes to the Axemen from CEC where he played for Coach Scott Annan. Derek combines a larger frame with the athletic ability to run sideline to sideline. An aggressive and talented pass rusher Derek’s high motor makes him an explosive athlete who is fun to watch on the field. Derek was a Nova Scotia First Team All-Star in 2011.

Dennis Ivanchenko – 6’6″, 260 lbs. – Defensive Line – Halifax West High School (Halifax, N.S.)
Dennis comes to the Axemen via Halifax West High School. At 6`6 Dennis is an imposing force on the defensive line. He brings needed depth to the defensive line and has the ability and versatility to play defensive end or defensive tackle and even swing to the offensive side if need be.

Thomas Troop – 6′, 200 lbs. – Running Back – Banting Memorial High School (Cookstown, Ont.)
Thomas is the younger of the two Troop brothers who will be headed to Wolfville this fall. Thomas has the size and skill set to be a fantastic addition to the Acadia power run game. A one-cut back, Thomas runs downhill and finishes his runs with authority when not breaking long runs with his 4.6 speed. Thomas will be expected to be an early impact player.

Trent Smith – 6’2″, 180 lbs. – Receiver – Oakridge Secondary School (London, Ont.)
Trent Smith will be joining the 2012 Axemen squad after starring for Oakridge Secondary School. A large receiver with good hands and a multi sport background, Trent will be a great addition to the Axemen family.

Bobby Troop – 6’2″, 225 lbs. – Fullback – Wilfrid Laurier University (Cookstown, Ont.)
The elder of the two Troop brothers, Bobby will be transferring to Acadia after dressing every game for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks last year. A true fullback, Bobby will fit in extremely well with the Acadia power run game and will be expected to be an impact player in 2013.

Mitch Graham – 5’10”, 185 lbs. – Defensive Back (Kanata, Ont.)
Mitch Graham adds to a growing list of Axemen recruits from the Ontario East Canada cup team. An aggressive and versatile player, with the ability to play outside linebacker or defensive back in the Axemen defense. A highly decorated football player Mitch was an invitee to the US Army All-American combine and was a standout in the Football University Camp where he was named a FBU “top gun”.

James Mau – 6’0″, 220 lbs. – Linebacker – Myers Riders (Ottawa, Ont.)
James Mau comes to the Axemen after completing two stellar seasons with the Myers Riders Junior football program in Ottawa. James is recognized as being one of the most aggressive and physical linebackers in the OVFL. James was named as an OVFL All-Star and the Athletes in Action All-Star game defensive Most Valuable Player.

Russell Rainey – 5’9′, 180 lbs. – Defensive Back – John Abbott (Hawkesbury, Ont.)
Russell is a two year starter for AA CEGEP John Abbott College. Russell is a physical and rangey player who brings needed depth to the Axemen defensive backfield with the expectations

Connor McCrudden – 6’, 220 lbs – Defensive Line – St. Marks High School (Ottawa, Ont.)
Connor is an athletic and physically strong defensive lineman who is willing to work just like so many other great D linemen

Elie-Joseph Maroun – 5’9″, 175 lbs. – Defensive Back – Champlain CEGEP (Gatineau, Que.)
Elie comes to the Axemen after two seasons with the CEGEP Champlain Cougars. Elie is a very intelligent and athletic defensive back who will push to see action in the 2012 season. With great cover skills and the will to compete, Elie is another great addition to the defensive backfield.

Brad Hinton – 5’ 8″, 165 lbs. – Defensive Back – Myers Riders (Ottawa, Ont.)
Brad is known by his coaches as an incredibly physical and hard hitting free safety. With an understanding of the game and desire to compete, Brad rounds out an impressive defensive back recruiting class. Brad is an OVFL All Star and three time Canada Cup team member

Izvor Gnjidic – 6’6″, 205 lbs. – Quarterback – Richview Collegiate (Toronto, ON)
As a 2010 OVFL All-Star and a multi-year starter with both Richview Collegiate and the Etobicoke Eagles, Izvor’s experience should assist and ease the transition to the CIS level. Izvor combines elite size and arm strength with athleticism that should help translate to on the field success early and often in his Acadia career. With Izvor and Nick Gorgichuk, the 2012 QB recruit class should provide competition in the fall and for many years to come.