Guelph Gryphons are ready. Is Rossetti the man behind the center?

The Guelph Gryphons enter the 2010 season with a new look. First year head coach, Stu Lang takes over the reigns of the program, after moving up from his former position as receivers coach last season. He will be joined by a pair of new full-time coordinators in Perry Marchese as the offensive coordinator and Kevin MacNeill as the defensive coordinator.

With a number of key returners on both sides of the ball back in the fold, the Gryphons are looking to move up from their 3-5 record and sixth place finish last season. Last season, they were defeated by the OUA runner-up Western Mustangs (37-18) in the quarter-finals. Of the five league losses, four were by a total of 15 points.

The departure of fifth-year starting quarterback, Justin Dunk will be a blow to the Gryphons. Third-year quarterback Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) is expected to be the new man under centre this season, and must follow one of the best quarterbacks in Gryphon history. Rossetti steps into the spotlight during his third season with the Gryphons, with his only experience comprising from helping to lead the Gryphons to a 34-24 victory over Waterloo last year.

The Gryphons will return five starters on offence, including two of the most dynamic football players in the country including receiver Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and CIS second team All-Canadian Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.). Look for both to be significant components of the 2010 offence. With a veteran defence, returning 10 starters, the Gryphons are expecting to dictate the tempo of games this year with their aggressiveness and speed. In the secondary all five starters return, with two-time first team All-Canadian James Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont.) leading the way.

The punting and kicking duties are a question mark for the Gryphons after the departure of All-Canadian and current CFL kicker Rob Maver. With five hopefuls in training camp, the position is up for grabs.

Quote from head coach Stu Lang:
“We’re very excited to get the season underway, the players have been working-out very hard during the off-season, the quarterbacks especially, learning the plays. We have some good people returning, so we are very positive going into the season.”
“Our recruiting has been good, we’ve gotten bigger on the offensive and defensive line. We have also added several good receivers and running backs.”
“The big question for us is our quarterback position. We have some players that have had success in high school. Chris Rossetti played for us in one game last year. That’s the biggest question mark for us going into the season. They all have great ability to run and control the ball, but we’ll have to see what happens under game conditions.”

GUELPH GRYPHONS
2009 regular season record: 3-5
2009 regular season standings: sixth place
2009 playoff record: 0-1
2009 playoff finish: lost 37-18 to Western Mustangs in OUA quarter-final.

Head Coach:
– Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2010): 1
– Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2010): 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

Offence
Key returning players:

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[*]RB, Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.) returns for his fifth and final season. He was named a first team OUA all-star and second team All-Canadian after leading the Gryphons in scoring last season with 14 touchdowns and a total of 84 points. He finished with a total of 752 yards in rushing.
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[*]WR, Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.) returns for a fourth season. In his second season Gardner was named an All-Canadian. Last year, he struggled with injuries but still managed 32 catches for 461 yards and one touchdown. He’s back healthy this year and is expected to be a significant component of the offence.
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[*]OL, Matt Richardson (Caledonia, Ont.) returns for a third season and will be expected to anchor a young offensive line unit with three new starters.
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[*]OL, Andrew Crosby (Mississauga, Ont.) returns for a fifth and final season. He brings a lot of size (6’2”, 300 lbs) and leadership to the line. He will be expected to anchor a young offensive line unit with three new starters.
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Key recruits:
RB, Robbie Fraquarson from Stanford Secondary (Niagara Falls, Ont.)
RB, Keith Walker from Assumption high school (Burlington, Ont.)
WR, Nick Anapolsky is a transfer from Waterloo (Guelph, Ont.)
RB, Steve Legace is a transfer from Waterloo (Burlington, Ont.)
Key losses:
QB, Justin Dunk
P/K, Rob Maver
WR, Dave Harrison (injury)
RB, Josh McCreight
SB, Jamie Shaw

Defence
Key returning players:

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[*]DB, James Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont) returns for his fourth season. Named an OUA first team all-star and CIS first team All-Canadian in 2009. The fourth-year picked up 42 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble last season.
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[*]DL, Grant MacDonald (London, Ont.) returns for his fifth and final year. With his size and experience, he will play an integral part in the Gryphon defence. Last year he tallied one sack and forced fumble and added 24 tackles.
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[*]DL, Scott Eggleton (Belleville, Ont.) returns for his fifth and final year. He will be expected to lead the defensive front for the Gryphons. The 6’3”, 280lb defensive tackle picked up 20 total tackles last season.
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[*]LB, Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.) returns for his fifth and final year. He was second on the team last season in total tackles, tallying 59. The team captain returns to finish his University career and has very high expectations for his final push as a Gryphon.
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[*]LB, Matt Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) returns for his fourth season. He led the Gryphons last year in tackles with a total of 60 and added two sacks. His athleticism will make the front seven very tough to beat.
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Key recruits:
DL, Kalvin Sellis is a transfer from Eastern Michigan and originally from Newmarket, Ont. and Huron
Heights Secondary School (6’5”, 265 lbs.)
DL, Hunter Principi from St. Thomas Moore (Hamilton, Ont.) – (6’5”, 260 lbs.)
DL, Jeff Finley from Sir Winston Churchill school (St. Cathaerines, Ont.) – (6’3”, 235 lbs.)
DB, Brett Hamilton from Lively, Ont.
Key losses:
OL, Ryan Bomben
DL, Jeff Cain
DL, Phil Warnica,