Clan look for big things at the line of scrimmage as home opener approaches

Burnaby, BC – With the home opener just under a week away, the Simon Fraser University Clan football team are looking to control the line of scrimmage this year and are expecting big things from the offensive and defensive lines.

On the offensive side, the Clan return three starters from last year’s unit, which allowed the second fewest sacks in the conference, while finishing third in total offence with just under 400 yards per-game.

Felix Gacusana (Burnaby, BC) and Eric Querengesser (Edmonton, AB) return at left guard and right guard respectively, while Michael Couture (Burnaby, BC) slides over from right tackle to centre this season.

“He’s done a great job,” offensive line coach Adam Blasetti said on Couture’s transition from playing tackle to centre and being looked up to as an upperclassman now. “Assuming a leadership role is challenging, especially with the guys 
SFU has had in the past.”

“Michael has handled things his own way, but he has grabbed the bull by the horns when he’s had to and he leads by example.”

Coming in as a true freshman this year, Stephane Tanguay (Russell, ON) will be trusted with protecting the quarterback’s blind side at the all-important left tackle position.

“Just like all the other guys who are new, you’re learning a brand new playbook, technical system, terminology, and for him he’s learning the ins and outs of the American game,” Blasetti said. “He’s adjusting well to the speed difference and the good thing about him is he treats it like a craft.”

At right tackle will be Evan Telford (Victoria, BC), who will be a first time starter, while Quinn Courtney (Stehekin, WA), Sean Molle (Calgary, AB), Chris Coffin (University Place, WA) and Marcel Etchu Njang (Mississauga, ON) will all provide depth.

“Compared to spring camp we’re way ahead from where we were,” Blasetti explained. “The guys are almost 100 percent in understanding where they’re at in the playbook, execution has gone up and the guys are a little more comfortable with the technical system we’re running.”

On the defensive side, the Clan will be led by a veteran group that will look to be able to get after the quarterback and stop the run.

Defensive end Keenan North (Bellingham, WA) finished sixth in the GNAC with 6.5 sacks last season and was third with three forced fumbles. He will be looked upon to bring pressure off the edge and set the tone in his senior season.

In the middle will be Justin Williams (Oak Park, CA) and Quinn Horton (Winnipeg, MB) at defensive tackle, who combined bring over 600-lbs of power to clog up running lanes.

Kristian Lawrence (Ottawa, ON) has moved over to defensive end after playing tackle last year where he finished with 29 tackles, 6.5 tackles-for-a-loss and 1.5 sacks. By having him on the end, will allow the defence to set the edge in the running game.

“They’ve all spent time together working in the off-season and have come in to camp better than where they were last season,” defensive line coach Bryan Wylie said of his starting four. “We’re in a good spot where we will have a real solid group.”

Also looking to see the field this fall will be defensive end Jamie Puffer (Verona, ON) and Rey Arcega (Calgary, AB) in the middle.

“The six guys who will see the field are real solid and then the guys after that are real young,” Wylie said.

Defensive end Fardin Gadjyev (Toronto, ON) will be looking for playing time after redshirting last season and learning under Wylie who has been with SFU for three seasons.

GELLEY AMONG CLAN ALUMNI TO BE RECOGNIZED AT HOME OPENER

Former Clan defensive back Stephen Gelley will be in attendance at Saturday’s home opener at Swangard Stadium against the Menlo Oaks to be recognized along with his teammates from the 1974 Clan football team.

Currently a teacher at Captain James Cook Elementary in Vancouver, Gelley was a first round draft pick after his career at Simon Fraser, going fourth overall to the Ottawa Rough Riders.

Gelley would spend a total of six seasons in the CFL, playing for four different teams.

He would move on from Ottawa to play for the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 1976 and 1977 before moving out west to play for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1978.

The former Clan player would then take his talents to Quebec where he stared for the Montreal Alouettes from 1979 until his retirement in 1981.

Photo credit:  Ron Hole

Written by Mackenzie Dalgleish