Ten local recruits commit to Windsor Lancers

Lancer Football Head Coach Joe D’Amore is pleased to announce the commitment of ten talented local athletes to the Lancer Football program for the 2012 season.

Highlighting the group are first team Wilson Conference all-stars Daniel Benson and Travis Durocher. Benson, the Wilson Conference Offensive Player of the Year, is a six-foot six offensive lineman who comes to the Lancers from Cardinal Carter Secondary School. He was also named an OVFL first team all-star with the Essex Ravens.

“Daniel is one of the top offensive linemen in Ontario. His size and athleticism will allow him to play very early in his career,” said D’Amore. “It was a top priority to keep Benson home in Windsor and playing for the Lancers, and we are really excited to have him on board.”

Durocher is a six-foot four offensive lineman out of Kennedy Collegiate and the Essex Ravens. “Travis is one of the most athletic linemen I have ever seen coming out of high School,” commented D’Amore. ”He played a variety of positions including tight end, and I believe he could be a top center in the OUA by the end of his career.”

D’Amore also added three more Wilson Conference first team all-stars with the addition of quarterback Mike Mallendar, and defensive backs Dallas Boow and Tyler Doyle.

The Wilson Conference Defensive Player of the Year, Doyle joins the Lancers out of Kennedy Collegiate. “Tyler is a physical player and plays the game a lot bigger than he is,” said D’Amore. “We feel that he could play the Sam linebacker position at a high level and a few years in the strength and conditioning program will be great for him.”

At six-feet, Mallender has great arm strength for a quarterback. “Mike will be a great addition to our team, and he has great ties to the Lancer program with his dad being former Hec Creighton winner, Scott Mallendar. With Austin Kennedy here it will allow Mike to develop his strength and skills over the next few years and we are excited about his potential moving forward.”

Another Essex Raven, D’Amore feels Boow has the potential to make an immediate impact because of his versatility. “Dallas is an athletic player who has the potential to add great size to his frame. He will have an opportunity to compete for some time in the secondary over the next two years.”

A first team all-star in the WECSSAA Newman Conference, Matt Lefler joins the Lancers on the defensive front seven. At 6’0, 215lb, Lefler has the kind of size that D’Amore likes in a young linebacker. “Matt is a physical kid who is just learning the game of football. He is fearless in his pursuit of the football and we are expecting big things from him in the coming years. The more football he plays the faster he will develop.”

Teammates Dave McDuffie and Frank Renaud join the Lancers on the defensive side from Forster High School. McDuffie is a Wilson Conference second-team all-star at defensive back, while Renaud plays at the linebacker position.

“Dave is a talented athlete who excels on the football field as well as on the basketball court. We believe within a year or two he will become a very reliable player for us and his abilities will be a huge asset,” D’Amore said.”Frank is one of the hardest working kids I have met, and we feel in a few years he will be a strong contributor to this program.”

Brett Smallhorn, a LaSalle, Ont native, will join the Lancer offense at wide receiver. “Brett is a big athletic wide receiver who has a great frame and work ethic. We are excited to get him on board and start our strength and conditioning program. He will add another big target for Austin Kennedy on the inside.”

Another Newman conference all-star joining the Lancers is running back Lucas Allen.
“Lucas is pound for pound one of the toughest kids I have coached. He did a great job this year as a running back, and that is where we think he fits best at this level,” commented D’amore. “He is coming off shoulder surgery so it will take some time to get back into it, but we are excited about his potential.”

Lancer Athletics