CIS preview: Windsor Lancer “training camp…most competitive ever”

Following the hiring of interim head coach Joe D’Amore in the off-season, the Lancer Football team is gearing up for a fresh start this fall with the goal of returning to the playoffs in 2011.

Coach D’Amore hit the ground running this summer and brought in a solid recruiting class that including 19 players from the local Windsor-Essex area. Combined with the return of a strong mix of veterans that includes the quarterback duo of Sam Malian and Austin Kennedy, a solid group of receivers and a talented line backing corps, the Lancers enter the 2011 season with a sense of optimism and excitement.

Quote from head coach:

“We are really excited to get started this fall. We have a committed group of players who have work tirelessly over the last six months in preparation for the upcoming season. With a new coaching staff in place and some key new additions to the roster, our success will be directly tied to how fast we come together as a team. I really like our group of veterans and we have added some key transfers which will fill the holes left from graduation. Training camp will be the most competitive we have ever had and I look forward to seeing how this team progresses after camp is over. ”

Interim Head Coach: Joe D’Amore

– Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2011): 1
– Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2011): 1
– Career regular season record with team: n/a
– Career regular season record in CIS: n/a
– Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): n/a
– Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): n/a

2010 regular season record: 2-6
2010 regular season standings: 8th in OUA
2010 playoff record: did not qualify
2010 playoff finish: n/a

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 9

Key returning players:

QB Sam Malian returns for a 4th season after an injury plagued season in 2010. In only four games played, Malian passed for 652 yards and two touchdowns.

Receiver Jordan Brescacin is back for a 4th year. Brescacin was the Lancers 2010 offensive player of the year and finished third overall in the OUA in receiving yards with 588 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also participated in the 2011 East-West Bowl.

OL Nick Corrado is back for a fourth year as the team’s starting centre and leader of the offensive line.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

K Sebastien Rimbert – École Secondaire L’Essor (Tecumseh, ON)

OL Jeremy Veres – St. Joseph’s Secondary School (Windsor, ON)

RB Gilbert Stewart – Brampton High School (Brampton, ON)

Key losses:

OL Nick Cicchini, OL Brandon Yohnicki, K Robert Eeuwes

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 10

Key returning players:

LB Akeem Whonder returns for a 3rd season. In 2010, Whonder amassed 41 tackles and 3 sacks and was invited to participate in the 2011 East-West Bowl.

DL Seamus Postuma is back for a 4th season. Also a participant in the 2011 East-West Bowl, Postuma is considered one of the best defensive players in the OUA, accumulating 34 tackles and 3 sacks in 2010.

DB Shea Pierre returns for a 4th season. Pierre collected 20 solo tackles in 2010 and will be looked at to cover the opposition’s top offensive player each week.

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

DB Marcus St. Aubin – St. Thomas Moore (Hamilton, ON)

DL John Moynahan – Holy Names High School (Windsor, ON)

DL David Flewelling – Clarington Central (Bowmanville, ON)

DL Eric Kinnenen – Beamsville High School (Niagara Falls, ON)

Key losses:

DB Matt Bucknor, DB Daryl Townsend

Source: Windsor Sports Info

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INCOMING RECRUITING CLASS:

Windsor 38

Ben Cator 6’0″” – 190 – LB – Holy Names (Windsor) Verbal
Mark Sheridan 6’2″ – 260 – OL – Waterford D.H.S. (Simcoe, ON) Verbal
Nick Faiazza 6’1″ – 320 – DL – Hamilton Hurricanes (Hamilton) Verbal
Trevor Gudrie 6’2″ – 225 – LB – Val Caron (Sudbury, ON) Verbal
Dave Nadin 5’10” -175 – DB – Brennan (Windsor) Verbal
Gilbert Stewart 5’11” – 190 – RB – Brampton Bears (Brampton, ON) Verbal
Zack Hicks 5’11” – 180 – REC – St. Anne’s (Tecumseh, ON) Verbal
Sebastien Rimbert 5’11” – 170 – K — L’Essor (Tecumseh, ON) Verbal
Cody St. Pierre 5’11” – 175 – REC – John McGregor (Chatham, ON) Verbal
Eric Lovis 6’2″ – 200 – LB – St. Patrick’s (Thunder Bay, ON) Verbal
Jordan Campeau 6’1″ – 300 – OL – Windsor AKO Jr. (Windsor) Verbal
Nick Kotselidis 6’3″ 285 – OL – Meadowvale / Mississauga Warriors (Mississauga, ON) Verbal
Jon Langley 6’0″ 280 – OL – Villanova / Essex Ravens (LaSalle, ON) Verbal
Zac Prieur 6’2″ 285 – OL – Brennan (Windsor, ON) Verbal
David Fleweling 6’2″ 230 – LB – Clarington Central (Bowmanville, ON) Verbal
Frank Cerino 5’11” 190 – LB – Cardinal Newman / Steel City Ironmen (Stoney Creek, ON) Verbal
Kris Rivard 6’1″ 170 – DB – Northern Braves (Sturgeon Falls, ON) Verbal
Luke Lefler 5’10” 175 – DB – Holy Names (Windsor, ON) Verbal
Josh Strong 5’11” 180 – REC – Holy Names (Windsor, ON) Verbal
Josh Tiede 5’9″ 170 – DB – Essex Ravens (Windsor, ON) Verbal
Josh Deehan – 6’3 215 – QB – Villanova H.S/Essex Ravens (LaSalle, ON) Verbal
Darnell Walcott – 5’11 210 – RB – Essex Ravens (Windsor, ON) Verbal
Liam McConnel – 6’3 190 – WR – Sir Winston Churchill (Thunder Bay, ON) Verbal
Brandon Riley – 6’1 260 – OL– Bishop Tonnos H.S (Hamilton, ON) Verbal
Ziad Elsayed – 6’2 225 – LB – Essex Ravens (Windsor, ON) Verbal
Sean Powers 5’9 170 – RB – Holy Names (Windsor, ON) – Verbal
Drew Watukz 6’2 270 – OL – K/W Predators (Kitchener/Waterloo, ON) – Verbal
Dylan Polifilet 6’1 255 – DL– College Avenue (Woodstock, ON) – Verbal
Alex Brockman – 5’11 195 – DB – Villanova H.S (LaSalle, ON) Verbal
Mark Carter – 5’9 165 – WR – Villanova H.S (LaSalle, ON) Verbal
Ian Griffin – 6’0 180- RB/WR – Massey S.S (Windsor,ON) Verbal
Adam Chahade – 5’10 230 – FB – Forster S.S (Windsor, ON) Verbal
James Philips – 6’1 240 – DL – Amheerst H.S (Amherstburg, ON) Verbal
Jeremy Veres 6’1″ 310 OL – St. Joesph / Essex Ravens (Windsor, ON) Verbal – Orig Guelph
Evan Pavka 6’5″ 275 OL – St. Joesph / Essex Ravens (Windsor, ON) Verbal – Orig Guelph
Marcus St. Aubin – DB – St. Thomas More / Steel City (Hamilton, ON) Verbal
Jeremy Rogers – DL – Eastview / Huronia Stallions (Barrie, ON) Verbal
John Moynahan – LB – Western Transfer – Holy Names / Essex Ravens (Windsor, ON) Verbal

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