Gee-Gees football ready for another storied season

The 2010 season was one of excitement and heartbreak for all Gee-Gees players, coaches, and fans. The garnet and grey closed out a remarkable season finishing first overall in the OUA with a 7-1 record led by the offensive prowess of the 2010 Hec Crighton winner Brad Sinopoli and the country’s top receiving core.

Unfortunately it was not the story book ending they had wanted as the Gee-Gees fell to their arch rivals, the Western Mustangs, in the Yates Cup final in a heartbreaking 26-25 loss that saw a last minute field goal seal their fate.

Nevertheless, with many new faces coming into the fold this season, the Gee-Gees are ready to turn the page and start anew their quest for the Vanier Cup. The 2011 season will see the return of head coach Jean-Philippe Asselin with a revamped coaching staff that includes former CFL Grey Cup Champion Cory McDiamid as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator, and the return of offensive coordinator Chris Coulson.

As for the 2011 roster, the Gee-Gees will have said goodbye to some key players on both on offense and defense; most namely Brad Sinopoli, Cyril Adjeity, Matt Bolduc, Pat D’Amico, Alex Fortier-Labonté, James McNaughton, Chayce Elliott, and Sébastien Tétreault. However with a solid core of returning players and a strong class of recruits coming in, expectations remain high and very optimistic for the uOttawa Gee-Gees.

“I’m very excited to see our third and fourth year players to take the lead on offence, and I’m very excited to see basically a new defence. I think we’ll continue to be a dominant force in the OUA,” said Asselin.

The Gee-Gees will open the season at Guelph on September 5, 2011, and return for their home opener on September 10, 2011, against Queen’s.

Looking ahead for their game against Guelph, Asselin admits that there will be some adjustments made as the game and season goes on, “We do have a lot more new faces starting on offence, but I expect to see a progression throughout the season. But you still need three sides of the ball to win.”

“We’re going into this one a little bit blind because they have a new offensive coordinator, but we have a new defensive coordinator so it should be an interesting game,” he added.

Asselin and his coaching staff had their first chance to see their team in action this past Friday as they visited McGill for an exhibition game. While the Gee-Gees ended up losing 37-14, Asselin was not bothered by the result and knows that they got what they needed out of that game.

As for the rest of the season, September 17, 2011 will see the OUA’s most anticipated matchup as the Gee-Gees visit Western for a rematch of last year’s thrilling Yates Cup final.

On October 1, 2011 the Gee-Gees will see another 2010 OUA playoff rematch as they visit Laurier. The Gee-Gees will close out their regular season schedule on October 15, 2011, as they welcome Windsor to Frank Clair Stadium.

Football (0-0 OUA, 0-1 overall)

visit Guelph (0-0 OUA) on September 5, 2011, 1:00 pm, for the OUA regular season opener.