The Varsity Blues continued their rebuilding path with their most successful season in a decade in 2010. The Blues went 3-5 and were one win away from clinching their first post-season berth since 1995.
In their opening contest of the fall, the Blues were narrowly beaten 15-13 on a late field goal by the Guelph Gryphons. A 24-19 win over the York Lions on Sept. 18 was followed by their best performance of the season against the No. 2 Ottawa Gee-Gees. The Blues defeated Ottawa 40-35, marking their first win against the Gee-Gees since 1974 and the teamβs first victory against a nationally-ranked squad since 1997. Andrew Gillis, who was named CIS offensive player of the week, was incredible, going 28-for-45 and throwing for a career-high 343 yards and two touchdowns.
Former Grey Cup champion and first-year head coach Greg Gary has high hopes for 2011 with a strong graduating class and some added depth from key recruits. Fifth-year quarterback Andrew Gillis, as well as veteran receiver Michael Prempeh and lineman Josh Gibbs will be called upon to lead a much-improved offence this season. Sophomores Aaron Milton and Alex Pierzchalski will be asked to increase productivity and if they do, theyβre sure to turn heads in 2011.
The Blues also return veteran defensive back Willie Sharpe as well as fourth-year linebackers Kevin Asare and Wilkerson DeSouza. DeSouza led the OUA with 62 solo tackles in 2010.
Quote from head coach:
βOur mantra this year is to play hard and compete. We have some different systems this year. Weβll need to execute offensively, maintain a strong defensive game and continue to win the special teams battle.β
βWe have a lot more depth this year. We have a strong veteran core, our recruits have talent and there will be some close battles for starting positions. Andrew Gillis is heading into his final year and we look to him to continue his role as a leader. He needs to be better than the other quarterback on the field but at the same time we need to be a collective unit of 12 in order to execute and win games.β
Head Coach:
– 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: 0-0
– Career regular season record in CIS: 0-0
– Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-0
– Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 0-0
2010 regular season record: 3-5
2010 regular season standings: 7th in OUA
2010 playoff record: n/a
2010 playoff finish: n/a
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: 12
Key returning players:
QB Andrew Gillis (Toronto, Ont.) will be called upon to lead the offence. The fifth-year veteran is versatile with the ball, recording a career-high 1304 passing yards, while ranking second on the team with 245 rushing yards and three TDs in 2010. He was named the OUA and CIS offensive player of the week after making 28-of-45 passes for a career-high 343 yards and two touchdowns versus Ottawa on Oct. 2, 2010.
R Michael Prempeh (Toronto) This fourth-year veteran led the team with 332 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 2010. He recorded a season-high 138 receiving yards versus Ottawa on Oct. 2.
RB Aaron Milton (Whitby, Ont.) led the team with 247 rushing yards as a rookie in 2010. He tied the Varsity Blues record for longest rush with a 105-yard rushing touchdown versus the Ottawa Gee-Gees on Oct. 2. He also made 10 receptions for 110 yards and one touchdown.
WR Alex Pierzchalski (London, Ont) Started all eight games at wide receiver during his rookie campaign. He made 20 catches for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
OL Josh Gibbs (Bridgenorth, Ont.) A fifth-year offensive lineman, Gibbs dressed and started all eight games at left tackle in 2010.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
WR Kevin Bradfield from Woodbridge College S.S. (Toronto). A versatile athlete who has excelled at many different skill positions. A GTA all-star at quarterback and free safety, Bradfield was also an OVFL all-star at receiver as a member of the Etobicoke Eagles.
QB Richard Quittenton from Fork Union Military Academy (Ajax, Ont.). A 6-foot-5, 205-pound quarterback, Quittenton led the St. Mikeβs Kerry Blues to the 2008 Metro Bowl title before leaving for Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia.
OT Cory Rutledge from Birchmount Park C.I. (Toronto). A 6-foot-3, 276-pound lineman, Rutledge is also an accomplished rugby player.
Key losses:
OL Ross Asaro
DEFENCE
Number of returning starters: 6
Key returning players:
LB Wilkerson DeSouza (Mississauga, Ont.) A fourth-year linebacker, DeSouza led the OUA with 62 solo tackles in 2010. He dressed and started all eight games at linebacker and recorded a season-high 12 solo tackles versus McMaster on Oct. 16.
DB Willie Sharpe (Renfrew, Ont.) This fifth-year veteran started seven games at corner back in 2010, recording 27 solo tackles.
LB Kevin Asare (Toronto) A fourth-year linebacker, Asare recorded 27 solo tackles and two sacks last season. He also returned a fumble for a 75-yard touchdown versus McMaster on Oct.16.
LB Adam Fehler (Toronto) Recorded 28 solo tackles, two sacks and three interceptions in 2010. The fourth-year linebacker was named the OUA’s defensive player of the week after recording seven tackles, two sacks, one interception and one pass breakup versus York on Sept. 18.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
LB Darnell Girard (Windsor, Ont.) A 6-foot-2, 235-pound linebacker, Girard comes from the Western Bowl champion Herman High School in Windsor, Ont. He is a two-time provincial shot put champion.
DB Jaiden McBride (Whitby, Ont.) The Sinclair S.S. honour roll student was named the Durham Knights defensive MVP in 2010.
Key losses:
DB Hugo Lopez (Newmarket, Ont.) selected by the Edmonton Eskimos in the second round of the 2011 CFL draft. Lopez made 22 tackles and one interception in eight games played in 2010.
DB Derek Batchelor (Mississauga, Ont.) is a four-time OUA all-star. Ranked third on the team with 37 solo tackles in 2010.
FS Kyle Kennedy (Metcalfe, Ont.) Dressed and started all eight games at safety. Finished 2010 ranked second on the team with 39 solo tackles.
DL Mark Evans (Cambridge, Ont.) At 6-foot-7, 300 pounds, Evans recorded 16 solo tackles and three sacks in 2010.
DL Joe Capiello (Toronto) recorded 16 solo tackles and a team-high five sacks. Capiello was named the OUA’s defensive player of the week after totalling four tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles versus McMaster on Oct. 16.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players:
K Andrew Lomasney (Toronto) a fourth-year place kicker, Lomasney hit 7-of-9 field goals in 2010 β his longest was 30 yards vs. Ottawa on Oct. 2.
PR/KR Michael Prempeh (Toronto) was the Blues top punt returner with 25 returns for 226 yards. Also made 26 kick returns for 236 yards in 2010.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
Darnell Girard
Jaiden McBride
Key losses:
Hugo Lopez
INCOMING RECRUITING CLASS
Toronto 28
Kevin Bradfield QB/REC/DB – Woodbridge / Etobicoke Eagles (Etobicoke) Signed
Cory Rutledge – DL – Birchmount (Toronto) Signed
Brendan O’Brady – OL – Banting / York Storm (Alliston, ON) Signed
Lawrence Hopper – OL – Richview / Etobicoke Eagles (Etobicoke) Signed
Milthon Nevy – RB – New Westminster (New Westminster, BC) Signed
Trent Robinson – K – West Ferris (North Bay, ON) Signed
Chaney Fort 6’3 240 – DE – St Joan of Arc / Huronia Stallions (Barrie, ON) Signed
Nick Swaby – LB – Don Bosco (Toronto) Verbal
Brooks Wilson – QB – Birchmount (Toronto) Verbal
J.J. Lam – DB – Huron Heights (Newmarket) Verbal
Mitch McGuffin DL, 6’3 195 – AB Lucas (London) Verbal
Richard Quittenton 6’3 200lbs – QB – Fork Union Military Academy/St. Michaels College (Toronto) Verbal
Nicholas Djudevic – DL – Humberside Collegiate / Metro Wildcats (Toronto) Verbal
Umberto Capella – DL – St. Mary’s (Calgary) Verbal
Farhad Gadjev – LB – MacMaster Transfer / Northern / Metro Wildcats (Toronto) Verbal
Brandon Hand -DL – Auburn Riverside (Lake Tapps, Washington) Verbal
Baldwin Asala – DL – Hammond High School (Laurel, Maryland) Verbal
Sean Samuels – LB – Sir Edmund Campion (Brampton, ON) Verbal
Matthew Shapre – RB – Renfrew (Renfrew, ON) Verbal
Taylor Eskins – DB – Dolphins (Pickering, ON) Verbal
John Connors – DB – St. Joan of Arc (Barrie, ON) Verbal
Dylan Gordon – LB – Southwood (Cambridge, ON) Verbal
Ebunoluwa David – DB – Hawkeyes (Oshawa, ON) Verbal
Damian Dziadosz 6’3 270 – DL – Brantford Bisons / St. John’s (Brantford, ON) Verbal
Efe Enoyoze 5’11 220 – LB – Sir Sanford Fleming (Toronto) Verbal
Jason Harrison 6’2 245 – LB – J. Clarke Richardson, Pickering Dolphins (Ajax, ON) Verbal
Mark Ehioghae 6’2 210 – DE – Father Henry Carr (Etobicoke, ON) Verbal
Jaiden McBride 5’10 170 – DB – Sinclair / Durham Knights (Whitby, ON) Verbal
Darnell Girard 6’2″ 235 – LB – Herman (Windsor, ON) Verbal
CLICK HERE for list of all teams recruits
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