CIS preview: St. FX has “best off-season in my five years” says Waterman

The X-Men are coming off a disappointing 2010 season, but they are hoping that the lessons that they learned will serve them well going into 2011 and beyond. Many first year players logged a large amount of playing time last year, and that experience is sure to pay off for the X-Men. They have again secured a fairly large recruiting class, about 40 players in total, and they are hoping that the new additions will combine with last year’s class to form the nucleus of the future.

While the X-Men only graduate a handful of players from the 2010 team, they are losing some quality starters at both the linebacker and offensive line positions. Henoc Muamba moves on after being the 1st overall selection in the CFL draft, and fellow CIS all-Canadian linebacker Tom Lynch is also gone. On the offensive line, Stewart Walsh and Gordon Sawler, two long time starters for the X-Men, have graduated.

While the X-Men may again rely on many first and second year players to produce on game day, they will not be without some veteran leadership. Defensive back Dylan Hollohan returns for his fourth year with the program. A CIS all-Canadian two seasons ago, Dylan is looking to have a great year. Defensive lineman Nate Annan will also be back in the X-Men line-up. Going into his third season, Nate was the AUS Rookie of the Year in 2009.

Quote from head coach Gary Waterman:

“We are very excited to be getting back to football here at StFX. We have had, in my opinion, the best off-season in my five years with this program. Everyone on this roster has improved since our last snap in 2010. I am excited with the recruiting class we have secured this year. I feel we have accumulated a great core of athletic student-athletes, and we are all excited to take the field in 2011.”

Head Coach:

– Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2011): 3
– Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2011): 3
– Career regular season record with team: 7-9
– Career regular season record in CIS: 7-9
– Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 8-10
– Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 8-10

2010 regular season record: 1-7
2010 regular season standings: 4th in AUS
2010 playoff record: 0-0
2010 playoff finish: n/a

OFFENCE

Key returning players:

SB Jordan Catterall returns for his second season with the X-Men after an impressive rookie campaign. Jordan had 18 catches for 266 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2010, along with 7 carries for 42 yards. He also returned 10 kickoffs for 155 yards. Jordan’s efforts earned him Rookie of the Year honours in the AUS.

OL Colin Wicks played his first season at StFX in 2010 after transferring from the University of Waterloo. Colin started every game last season at left tackle for the X-Men and performed well. Colin also participated in the CIS East-West Bowl this spring. The X-Men will look to Colin to anchor their offensive line in 2011.

WR Devon Bailey was also new to the X-Men in 2010 and had a good first season for the program. Devon had 5 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown last season. He is looking to have a breakout year in 2011.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

RB Ashton Dickson comes to the X-Men from the Cumberland Panthers where he was named offensive MVP in 2010. Last season he ran for 883 yards on 55 carries and caught 7 passes for 212 yards for the Ottawa Sooners.

OL Daniel Lemaire is a big 6’7’’, 290lb offensive tackle from Ottawa, Ont. Daniel’s combination of size and quickness should help him contribute early in his career.

SB Damone Williams is from Mississauga, Ont. and comes to the X-Men via Erie Junior College in Buffalo, NY. Damone’s speed should be an asset for the X-Men both on offense and in the return game.

Key losses:

SB Kwame Osei leaves the X-Men after five years with the program. Kwame had 23 catches for 215 yards in 2010, and will be missed both on the field and as a team leader.

OL Stewart Walsh is leaving the X-Men after four quality years at StFX. Walsh was the AUS Rookie of the Year back in 2007 and was a mainstay on the offensive line ever since. He was twice named an AUS all-star, and participated in the 2010 East-West Bowl.

OL Gordon Sawler is also departing from the X-Men offensive line. Sawler was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the fifth round of the 2009 CFL Draft.

DEFENCE

Key returning players:

DB Dylan Hollohan will be playing his fourth season in the X-Men defensive backfield in 2011. Dylan was a 2nd team all-Canadian in 2009 and has twice been named an AUS all-star. Dylan recently participated in the East-West All-Star game where he was named a team captain for the East.

DL Nate Annan is entering his third season at StFX. In 2009 Nate was named the Rookie of the Year in the conference, and has continued to improve his game ever since. Nate had 24.5 tackles in 2010 including 5.5 tackles for a loss.

DB Raye Hartmann is coming off an impressive rookie season in which he started every game for the X-Men at the corner position. Raye was named the AUS Defensive Player of the Week in week 2 when he had 2 interceptions vs. the Montreal Carabins.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

LB Ron Omara is a 6’3’’, 245lb player from Ottawa, Ont. He has played for the Ottawa Sooners and was once a member of Team Canada. Ron is a big, physical linebacker who is sure to contribute early to the X-Men.

DB Blair Smith is from Mississauga, Ont., and comes to the X-Men after playing a season with the Vanier Cheetahs in the CEGEP league. Blair is a rangy safety who has the ability to make big plays in the secondary.

LB Corey Armstrong is another member of the Ottawa Sooners who will be joining the X-Men this fall. Corey was the team MVP for the Sooners in 2010.

Key losses:

LB Henoc Muamba leaves the X-Men after an outstanding four year career. Henoc was a three-time CIS all-Canadian, two-time AUS Defensive Player of the Year, and was the winner of the 2010 President’s Trophy for Defensive MVP in the CIS. He leaves as the all-time leader in tackles for the X-Men. He was drafted 1st overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2011 CFL Draft.

LB Tom Lynch is moving on after many great seasons at StFX. Tom was the 2009 AUS Defensive Player of Year and a 2nd team CIS all-Canadian that year. He was named an AUS all-star two times in his career.

DB Reilly Penner is also leaving the X-Men defense. Reilly was a standout player for many years at StFX, highlighted by a phenomenal 2009 season in which he had 4 interceptions for 138 yards and 2 touchdowns.

LB Jon Anderson has also graduated and will be moving on. Jon was a very physical linebacker and a quality special teams player for the X-Men throughout his career.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:

K/P Anthony Alix will be entering his third season with the program. Anthony was 8 for 12 in field goals last season with a long of 46 yards.

LS Ryan Olsen returns for his fourth season out of Manchester, NH. Olsen is a veteran linebacker for the X-Men, and will also resume his duties as long snapper in 2011, a position that he has been very consistent at in his years at StFX.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

Damone Williams is a dynamic returner who the X-Men will look to lean on to help win the battle of field position.

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INCOMING RECRUITS

St. Francis Xavier 33

Bobby Martell – 6’4’’ 230 lbs DE – Auburn (Halifax, NS) Signed
Jesse Stevens – 6’3’’ 240lbs DE – Ottawa Sooners (Ottawa, ON) Signed
Jerome Stevens – 6’2’’ 260lbs FB – Ottawa Sooners (Ottawa, ON) Signed
Ashton Dickson – 5’10’’ 175lbs RB – Ottawa Sooners, Cumberland Panthers (Ottawa, ON) Signed
David Culligan – 5’8’’ 160lbs DB – Sir John A. MacDonald / Team Nova Scotia (Halifax, NS) Signed
Scott Holmes – 6’3’’ 230lbs DE – Ottawa U. Transfer (Barrie, ON) Signed
Liam Fitzgerald – 6’2’’ 185lbs LB – CEC (Truro, NS) Signed
Parker Shaw – 5’11’’ 175lbs DB – Western Canada (Calgary, AB) Signed
Kiely Hall – 6’1’’ 340lbs DT – (Hamilton, ON) Signed
Ron Omara – 6’3’’ 245lbs LB – Ottawa Sooners / Team Canada (Ottawa, ON) Signed
Daniel Lemaire 6’7″ 290lbs – OL – Cumberland Panthers / OVFL All-star (Ottawa) Signed
Damone Williams – Rec – 6’1 170 – Erie Junior College / St. Joan of Arc (Mississauga, ON) Signed
Kurtis Pankow – DL – 5’11” 260 – St. John’s / Myers Riders (Perth, ON) Signed

Blair Smith – 6’3’’ 190lbs DB – Vanier College (Mississauga, ON) Verbal
Brendan Hamilton – 6’3’’ 215lbs LB – Western Canada (Calgary, AB) Verbal
Keith Messer – 6’3’’ 300lb DT – UNBSJ (Saint John, NB) Verbal
Chris Magno – 5’10’’ 175lbs LB – St. Joan of Arc (Mississauga, ON) Verbal
Delino Smith – 5’10’’ 175lbs DB – Pickering High (Pickering, ON) Verbal
Jeremy Ford – 5’11’’ 180lbs K – Citadel / Team Nova Scotia (Halifax, NS) Verbal
Chris McCarthy 5’10” 175lbs – RB – St-Lazare Stallions (Montreal) Verbal
Drew Garvie – DL – 6’2 265 – Dr. J. H. Gillis (Antigonish, NS) Verbal
Junior Peter – FB – 6’0 – 245 – Myers Riders (Ottawa, ON) Verbal VIDEO
Chris Shibley – DB – 6’1 – 170 – Kingston Grenadiers / Sydenham Golden Eagles (Sydenham, ON) Verbal
Charles Range – 6’6’’, 290lbs OL – Myers Riders (Ottawa,ON) Verbal
Corey Armstrong – 6’1’’, 220lbs LB – Ottawa Sooners (Kanata, ON) Verbal
Devon Marshall – 6’2’’, 260lbs DL – Sackville / Team Nova Scotia (Halifax, NS) Verbal
Tanner Kennedy – 6’1’’, 180lbs DB – Dr. J.H. Gillis (Antigonish, NS) Verbal
Clyde Gale – 5’10’’, 170lb RB – Dr. J. H. Gillis (Antigonish, NS) Verbal
James Menzies – 6’2’’, 190lbs LB – Trinity College (Westmount, QC) Verbal
Shane Nolan – 5’8’’, 155lbs DB – Ottawa Sooners (Ottawa, ON) Verbal
Randy Roseway – 5’11, 160lbs REC – Myers Riders (Ottawa, ON) Verbal
Cody Enman – 5’10’’, 175 QB – Eastdale / Team Ontario East (Oshawa, ON) Verbal
Nate Dawes – DL – Jacob Hespeler / Cambridge Lions (Cambridge, ON) Verbal