CIS Preview: Gee-Gees Gillanders "heartbeat of the offence"

In the second of a continuing series, I’m previewing teams from the CIS for the 2012 season. We’ll keep in the OUA conference for now. In Ottawa, special teams coordinator Luigi Costanzo is looking forward to their spring camp and hoping the young Gee-Gees can take another step forward this season.

Last season on offence, Ottawa moved the ball in the air and on the ground. They ranked 6[SUP]th[/SUP] in the CIS for both pass yards and rush yards. For 2012, they return their three top weapons. Quarterback Aaron Colbon was a revelation in his first season as a starter. He threw for 2052 yards, 18 touchdowns, and led Ottawa to a 5-3 record. Six of his touchdowns were thrown to 6’1” receiver Simon Le Marquand.

“Simon came out of his shell. He had the opportunity to be the guy last year and he took every opportunity to be the best receiver on our team,” said Costanzo. “We only expect more of that going forward.”

Le Marquand ended the 2011 regular season with five consecutive 100-yard games and keeping that streak alive will be difficult with defences keying on him. Taking away the passing game won’t be easy for Ottawa opponents, though, if it means giving star running back Brendan Gillanders more space.

Costanzo describes the running back as, “the heartbeat of the offence. He’s a dynamic player. We can use him out of the backfield. He’s a hard, tough runner with great speed.”

The “Big Three” will be expected to carry the bulk of the load and improve on Ottawa’s 30.6 points per game to move the Gee-Gees’ offence up into the CIS elite.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Gee-Gees will look to continue their opportunistic ways.

“Coach (Cory) McDiarmid and the defensive staff preach everyday: Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers,” says Costanzo. “It’s something we practice. It’s a mentality.”

The Gee-Gees had lots to learn on defence last season. New coaches, new players, and a new system meant learning on the fly. With a full season and off-season under their belts, Ottawa’s defence should be stronger come September. On the defensive line, Ettore Lattanzio looks to return from a concussion and be a disruptive force.

“He’s an explosive player,” says Costanzo. “When he was on the field, he did some good things.”

Lattanzio had five sacks in the six games he played last season. He’s fully healed from the concussion and has been training hard all winter. Added pressure on opposing quarterbacks could lead to even more turnovers for a defence that ranked 4[SUP]th[/SUP] in the CIS in interceptions (14) and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] in fumble recoveries (12).

Costanzo and the rest of the coaching staff are also excited about their new class enrolling in September.

“We’re really pleased with this year’s campaign in recruiting,” he said.

The staff worked hard in the off-season and many of their recruits will have a good chance to see playing time this season, including 6’4” receiver Scott Watson. If Watson can produce early, that will leave more holes for Le Marquand and give Colbon another target.

An area the Gee-Gees need to improve on in 2012 is playing on the road. Ottawa won only one road game last season. The coaches are hoping an extra year of growth for their young team will lead to more consistent play in hostile environments.

Costanzo has been impressed with his team’s work this off-season. A new wrinkle in the training program should translate to results on the field when spring camp opens on April 23.

“For the team in general, there’s been a pretty exciting atmosphere, “Costanzo continues. “We changed our strength and conditioning program where we’re training by position. There’s a healthy competition and guys are pushing each other every time we get a lift in.”