Recruits from three provinces joins AUS team’s 2014 class.
The Acadia Axemen recruiting efforts across the nation has paid off.
Brandon Johnston, Conner Rasch and local talent Isaac Berglund are the newest Axemen. All three players have committed to the team for the 2014 season.
BRANDON JOHNSTON:
The 5’10, 185 pound defensive back from Orillia, Ontario was impressed with the courting the Axemen did during the recruitment process and was sold on the Wolfville, Nova Scotia campus after a recent official visit.
“Throughout the recruitment process Acadia was really interested in me and they were really consistent with keeping in touch with me,” explained Johnston of his decision. “I went out to visit the school January 17th to meet the coaches and visit the campus.”
“I really liked the idea of going to a school were the average class size is 30 students. When I met with the coaches, I was really impressed with their goals for the team, and what they want from their players. I think that Acadia is going to be the perfect opportunity for me as a student athlete to reach my full potential on and off the field.”
Johnston recently completed his high school career with Park Street Trojans of the Georgian Bay Secondary School Association (GBSSA). Additionally, the Ontario defensive back suited up for the Huronia Stallions of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC). In 2012, Johnston represented his province as a member of Team Ontario at the Football Canada Cup in London, Ontario.
With Johnston’s commitment, it keeps a long standing tradition of recruiting talent that has played in the Stallions organization.
“Brandon Johnston comes to us from the talent rich Huronia Stallions OFC team in Barrie, Ontario coached by Martino DiSabatino,” commented Axemen Head Coach Jeff Cummins. “We have had many great Stallions during my tenure here at Acadia and Brandon is on pace to be the next great one in the defensive backfield.”
“Brandon possesses great ball skills and has great hands but unlike defensive backs who just make picks Brandon will knock you out! He is physical and will be a force to be reckoned with on specials early in his career at Acadia. We are very happy to bridge the gap between former All -Star Stallion/Axemen Kyle Graves, Tyler Honeywood, Brett Haenni and Wade Conrad (to name a few) with Brandon Johnston. We welcome Brandon to the family! “
CONNER RASCH:
The 5’11, 175 wide receiver/long snapper from Calgary, Alberta is moving out East because of the atmosphere surrounding the team and school. The football team’s wooing attempts as well as the school’s academic programs tipped the scale in their favour.
“I chose to attend Acadia because as a player you want to part of a program that has a winning culture and attitude,” said Rasch. “You also want to be part of a team that really wants you; the Acadia coaching staff has really expressed this over the past couple months.”
“I have only heard good things about the Acadia program and the school. The program has huge support from the town and local community and that make me very excited. A key factor in my decision was choosing a school that best fitted me and Acadia offered that with small class sizes and a top-notch kinesiology facility. I believe Acadia will help me to exceed not only on the field but also in the classroom. I look forward to the upcoming season playing for the AXE Men.”
Rasch comes to the Axemen after completing his high school career with the Rundle Cobras of the Alberta Schools Athletic Association (ASAA). Additionally, he suited up for the Calgary Mavericks of the Calgary Area Midget Football Association (CAMFA).
The Axemen look forward to the addition of a motivated yet talented player such as Rasch.
“Conner Rasch has decided to come east from Rundle College, Calgary Alberta and he brings a great desire to compete both on and off the field,” expressed Cummins. “Conner is a nifty little receiver who can play inside and out with the ability to be physical when necessary.”
“Conner is also a fantastic long snapper and will be a part of special forces as soon as he walks on campus. We are very happy to have Conner join our family here at Acadia.”
ISAAC BERGLUND:
While it was not an easy decision, the 6’6, 205 pound linebacker from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia committed to the Wolfville, Nova Scotia campus due to the relationship he had with the coaching staff.
“Choosing a university was really difficult for me because I wasn’t sure where I stood with universities, but Coach (Jeff) Cummins, Pete (Fraser) and (Chris) Judd all welcomed me with open arms,” recalled Berglund. “I played for Coach Pete and Coach Judd last summer in the Football Canada Cup and they made me a better player in just a couple months so I can’t imagine how good they can make me in five years.”
“After my trip up, it was an easy decision as they helped me find my place in their football program and academically as well.”
However, there were a couple of additional factors which influenced the Nova Scotia linebacker’s decision to commit to the Axemen.
“Acadia has a great environment, with a small town that comes out to every game to support their hometown team,” said Berglund. “The outstanding science program with a brand new science building is something that I look forward to taking advantage of.”
“Acadia is really football family oriented, and that’s another reason why it was so easy.”
With his decision made, Berglund is excited to play alongside other notable Axemen talent.
“I’m excited to join my past teammate Jesse Boudreau from the Football Canada Cup so we can grow together and really make our mark in the Acadia turf during our next five years together,” added Berglund. “I am also excited to play with athletes like Drew Morris and Derek Naugler who can show me how to play at a high caliber level like the CIS level.”
Berglund played for his high school team, the Dartmouth High Spartans of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL). For his exceptional play this past season, he was selected as a NSSAFFL Nova Division First Team All-Star at the linebacker position.
This past July, Berglund represented his home province as a member of Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick.
“Isaac was an all-star performer this past fall for Dartmouth High after a breakout summer with Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup,” commented Axemen Offensive Coordinator Chris Judd. “He runs well and loves contact so we feel he can be a contributor on specials early in his career.”
“We are happy to have Isaac join the Acadia Axemen family.”
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