Bisons Football will host over 110 players for 2013 Spring Camp this weekend

The Manitoba Bisons football team starts the 2013 Spring Camp with meetings on Thursday, May 2 with the first practice on Friday, May 3 and the camp ends with a full team scrimmage on Sunday, May 5 at the University of Manitoba Turf Fields. There are over 110 players, which is slightly lower than the highest number (126) of Spring Camp Bison participants in recent history. There is a mixture of returning, veteran Bison players (60) and newcomers (56) that will be showcased during the annual three-day football camp held from May 3-5, 2013 at the University of Manitoba campus.

The Bisons are looking to build on the 2012 results of a 4-4 Canada West regular season record and playing in a post-season game for the first time since winning the 2007 Vanier Cup Championship. With any Spring Camp, there will be numerous battles for spots on the roster on both sides of the ball.

Starting on the offensive side, the quarterback position has two returning Bisons with fourth year Marc Paquette, (second in BCFL passing yards in 2009; he was on the roster for four games last season with Manitoba), and Theo Deezar (won 2011 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ Champion with St. Paul’s; red-shirted last year with Manitoba) are in the mix. In addition, newcomer Jordan Yantz (from Vancouver Island Raiders; 2012 CJFL Most Outstanding Player, 2012 Wally Buono Award winner) will be compete for the starting spot.

At running back, returning Bisons who look to continue to impress are third year Anthony Coombs (2012 and 20111 CIS All-Canadian) along with third year Kienan LaFrance (sixth in Canada West last season with 467 rushing yards) plus third year fullback Andrew Barry and others are primed for another strong camp and season.

At receiver, third year Nic Demski (2012 and 20111 CIS All-Canadian) moves from running back to the slotback position. Other Bison returning are fifth year Andrew Smith (2013 East West Bowl participant) and fourth year slotback Danny Turek (tenth in Canada West with 431 receiving yards last season). There are several new players vying for a starting opportunity at the receiver positions and include Michael Schaper (from Vancouver Island Raiders; 2011 Wally Buono Award winner; 2012 BCFC All-Star), Dustin Pederson (from Vancouver Island Raiders; 2011 BCFC All-Star), Matt Sawyer (from Vancouver Island Raiders; ninth in BCFC with 478 receiving yards in 2012), Whitman Tomusiak (from Vancouver Island Raiders; second in BCFC with 704 receiving yards in 2010) and Kurt Goodrich (Wpg. Rifles; PFC Rookie of the Year & PFC All-Star in 2011).

On offensive line, there are returning Bison veterans led by starters from last season led by fourth year center Tyler Fabbri, third year tackle Alex McKay, second year tackle Nevin Gamblin and fifth year guard Kwin Albino. New players looking to make an impact at Spring Camp will be Anthony Daley (from Langley Rams) and Rob Smith (from Victoria Rebels).

Onto the defensive side, there will be several Bisons back to reclaim their starting spots on the defensive line position. The Bison starters returning from last season include fourth year end Lauren Kroeker (led Canada West with 6.5 sacks last season), fifth year end Ranji Atwall (fifth in Canada West with 41.0 tackles last season), third year tackle Evan Gill (2013 East West Bowl participant) plus second year tackle David Onyemata (4.0 tackles for losses last season). There are a couple of young players seeking to impress as Sonu Kainth (from New Westminster H.S.; ranked number three D-lineman in Canada by Top Prospects) and Kent Hicks (from Robert Bateman H.S., Played for Under-18 Team BC) have strong resumes out of high school.

At linebacker position, third years Bami Adewale (tied for fifth on team with 35.0 tackles last season) and Thomas Miles (seventh on team with 30.5 tackles last season) and fourth year Riley Wiggett (converted from defensive back position last season) are starters back on the Herd. A few new players to watch for are Jonathan Jones (from Vancouver Island Raiders), Colton Farago (from Victoria Rebels) and Tyler Lee (from Kamloops Broncos; 2012 BCFC All-Star after leading conference with 42 tackles last season).

The defensive back positions have one of the largest groups in camp with 23 players (12 new players) in competition. Returning from last season are starters including fourth year David Ferrier (sixth on team with 33.5 tackles and first on team with two picks last season), third year Brett MacFarlane (third on team with 35.5 tackles and second on Bisons with four break-ups last season). Newcomers to highlight are Tremaine Apperley (from Vancouver Island Raiders; 2012 CJFL All-Canadian plus 2012 BCFC Outstanding Defensive Back of the Year and 2012 BCFC All-Star), Jayden McKoy (from Miles Macdonell; 2012 WHSFL Harry Hood Memorial Award Winner; part of 2012 Potter Division’s ANAVETS ‘AAA’ Bowl championship finalist team), Braedy Will (from Oak Park H.S.; 2012 Potter Division All-Star Team) and Houston Rennie (from Miles Macdonell; 2011 & 2012 U18 Team Manitoba).

At special teams, Bison fifth year vet Nick Boyd (third in Canada West scoring with 58 points) battle against one other kicker Danny Demelo (Kelvin H.S.) for a starting spot.

 

Thursday, May 2:

6:30 p.m.        Team Meeting – Rm. 136 Frank Kennedy Centre

7 p.m.            Off/Def. Meeting – Rm. 136/133 FKC

8:30 p.m.        Positional Meetings

 

Friday, May 3:

3 p.m.            Taping – Butler Hut

5-7 p.m.        Practice #1 – University of Manitoba Turf Fields

 

Saturday, May 4:

10:30 a.m.        Taping – Butler Hut

12-2 p.m.        Practice #2 – University of Manitoba Turf Fields

2:30-4:30 p.m.    Practice #3 – University of Manitoba Turf Fields

 

Sunday, May 5:

8:30 a.m.        Taping – Butler Hut

9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.    Practice #4 – University of Manitoba Turf Fields

2 p.m.            Taping – Butler Hut

3:30-5:30 p.m.    Scrimmage – University of Manitoba Turf Fields

8 p.m.            Team Together (TBA)

 

Spring Camp Practices will be held at University of Manitoba Turf Fields (at University of Manitoba Fort Garry campus).