Bison Football announce recruits of six Manitoba high school players (video)

Oak Park’s OL/DL Michael Bell; St. Paul’s DB Connor Lesperance and DL Lucas Machado; Greendell’s DL Geoff Gray; Sturgeon Heights WR Zach Regert and Crocus Plains OL Sean Simpson commit to Bisons for 2012 season

U of M Bisons Recruit Six Football Players – March 13, 2012 – Winnipeg, Manitoba from ChrisD.ca on Vimeo.

The Manitoba Bisons football team is pleased to announce the commitment of six Manitoba high school players heading into the upcoming 2012 season.

From Oak Park High School offensive/defensive lineman Michael Bell; St. Paul’s HS defensive back Connor Lesperance and defensive lineman Lucas Machado; Greendell Falcons defensive lineman Geoff Gray; Sturgeon Heights Collegiate receiver Zach Regert and Crocus Plains Regional Secondary School offensive lineman Sean Simpson have all committed to the Bisons for the 2012 season.

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie moving into his 17th season at the helm of the Bison Football program commented, “This is the first of announcements to highlight the outstanding talent of local Manitoba high school football players and their ability to move to the CIS level. They are all great leaders on and off the field for their respectful schools. As we move into a new stadium, this is a special group of recruits and proud to add these six future Bison players to our program.”

Michael Bell had success at Oak Park:
* With the Oak Park Raiders, was part of the 2010 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ Champion and 2011 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ finalists
* A team captain of the team at offensive/defensive lineman position
* The 6’3”, 290 lbs. player was WHSFL All-Star
* Earned team awards for Defensive lineman of the year and rookie of the year
* Won provincial champion also in basketball and student counsel president

Connor Lesperance completed his high school career at St. Paul’s:
* With the St. Paul’s Crusaders, was part of the 2011 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ Champion that went 10-0
* A team captain of the team at defensive back position
* The 5’11”, 195 lbs. player was WHSFL All-Star and WHSFL Player of the Week
* Played with Team Manitoba at Canada Cup in 2011
* Plays rugby and captain plus on honour role and student counsel president

Lucas Machado finished his high school career at St. Paul’s:
* With the St. Paul’s Crusaders, was part of the 2011 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ Champion that went 10-0 and had 30 yard TD interception in Championship final
* A team captain of the team at defensive lineman position
* The 6’3”, 230 lbs. player was two-time WHSFL All-Star
* Played with Team Manitoba at Canada Cup in 2011

Geoff Gray played in Midget Football League of Manitoba (MFLM):
* With the Greendell Falcons, was selected as Matt Sheridan Lineman of the Year for 2011
* The 6’5”, 250 lbs. player accumulated 86 total tackles (three for losses) with 1.5 sacks in seven games in 2011
* Registered 25 total tackles (5.5 for losses) with three sacks in seven games in 2010
* Played with Team Manitoba at Canada Cup in 2011

Zach Regert finished his high school career at Sturgeon Heights Collegiate:
* With Sturgeon Heights, led the WHSFL (Winnipeg High School Football League) with 639 receiving yards with 35 catches and 11 TDs (new TD receiving record) in 2011
* A team captain of the team at receiver position
* The 6’5”, 210 lbs. player was 2011 WHSFL Offensive Player of the Year; WHSFL All-Star and twice WHSFL Player of the Week in 2011
* 2011 Blue and Gold Game Gold Team MVP and 2011 Sturgeon Heights Huskies Football MVP
* 2012 BodyHype All Canadian selection for the US Army All American Combine and bowl in San Antonio
* Played with Team Manitoba at Canada Cup and Offensive All Star Team and captain in 2011
* Won provincial champion also in basketball and on honour role

Sean Simpson played with the Crocus Plains (Brandon):
* Played with Team Manitoba at Canada Cup and Offensive All Star Team in 2011
* A team captain of the team at offensive lineman position
* The 6’2”, 300 lbs. player was earned team awards for Offensive lineman of the year and rookie of the year and on honour role