Maritime pride (VIDEO)

Nova Scotia & New Brunswick standouts recently join AUS Conference Champions’ 2014 class.

Three Maritime standouts have recently signed with the AUS Conference Champions.

Donovan Blue, Giovanni Holmes and Brandon Savage are the newest members of the Mount Allison Mounties.  All three recruits will join the team for the 2014 AUS season.

DONOVAN BLUE:

The 5’10, 225 pound fullback/defensive lineman from Timberlea, Nova Scotia will make the move to Sackville, New Brunswick to commence his CIS career with the Mounties.  Blue felt that the Mounties met all his gridiron and academic needs.

“As a player and a student I was looking for a program that will support me on and off the field, and I feel like Mt. Allison really shows that for their players,” explained Blue of his decision.  “As a school that was ranked number one for undergraduate programs this past fall, I think this will be the perfect place to pursue my education.”

“The combination of academics, community and the great program Mount A offers fit perfectly with what I was looking for in a school, which is why I decided to make my commitment to the school and program.”

Additionally, he experienced some positive interactions with the football program and enjoyed his official visit to the school.

“On occasion I have had the opportunity to train with some of the current Mount Allison players and I’ve always been impressed with their focus on strength, conditioning, and skills development,” added the Nova Scotia standout. “When I visited the campus and met with the team there was a very family like feeling to the team and the community.”

“After I visited the campus I felt that the community was very supportive of the university, its students and its athletes, which is important to me. That was something I was really looking for; a place that felt like home.”

Blue comes to the Mounties after guiding the Sir John A MacDonald Flames of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) to their first ever provincial Tier 1 Championship title this past November. This past season, he registered 45 tackles and 12 sacks.

During his career with the Flames, he has been honoured for his exceptional play on the field.  Among the honours include NSSAFFL Scotia Division Lineman of the Year (2013), two time NSSAFFL Scotia Division First team All-Star (2012, 2013), Flames Defensive MVP (2013), Flames Defensive Lineman of the Year (2012) and Flames Rookie of the Year (2011).

Other teams Blue has suited up for include Timberlea Renegades, Halifax Redhawks and Timberlea Titans.  In July 2013, he represented his home province as a member of Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick.

“Donovan brings great toughness and a physical style of play to our program,” commented Mounties Head Coach Kelly Jeffrey.  “He excelled at both fullback and defensive line and is a true football player.”

“He will bring great passion every play.  Donovan’s drive will raise the level of competition in our program.”

GIOVANNI HOLMES:

The 6’2, 200 pound defensive back from Bedford, Nova Scotia was impressed with the instantaneous reaction of the Mounties football program towards him.  Furthermore, Holmes was sold on the AUS school because of gridiron and academic reasons.

“I committed to Mount A because right away the team took me in as a part of their family,” said Holmes.  “They have a strong football program, great academics and are ranked as the top Canadian undergraduate school.”

“They have a talented roster, and the coaches are great at what they do.  I am extremely excited for the upcoming season.”

Recently, Holmes completed his high school career with Charles P Allen Cheetahs of the Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL).  Last spring, the defensive back guided the Metro Mustangs of the Nova Scotia Indoor Spring League (NSISL).

In July 2013, he represented his home province as a member of Team Nova Scotia at the Football Canada Cup in Moncton, New Brunswick.

“Giovanni has great size for his position and makes us bigger and more physical in the secondary,” assessed Jeffrey.  “His athleticism at that size makes him difficult to block on the perimeter and he can cover a lot of ground quickly with his length.”

“Giovanni is a great student athlete and a perfect fit in our program.”

BRANDON SAVAGE:

For the 6’5, 250 pound offensive lineman, it was a very simple reason why he committed to the AUS Conference Champions.

“They have a winning football team and small class sizes,” expressed Savage.   “The coaching staff is very welcoming and made me feel like family.”

Savage comes to the Mounties after leading the Hampton Huskies of the New Brunswick High School Football League (NBHSFL) to the 10-Man Championship.  For his stellar play this past season, he was named the NBHSFL 10-Man Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year.

The offensive lineman began his gridiron career at the age of 12 with the Windsor Warlords.  During his seven year career, he also suited up for the Belmont Bulldogs of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA).

“Brandon brings athleticism as well as size to the offensive line position,” commented Jeffrey.  “We were impressed with how well he moves on the field and has long arms.”

“He has a prototype body for the tackle position and has enormous upside.”

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