Two Ontario standouts armed with gridiron weapons to join CIS team

Two Ontario gridiron stars have chosen to embark on their next chapters of their careers with the Windsor Lancers.

Running back Nigel Applewhaite and linebacker Keitel Burry will join the team for the 2013 OUA season.

NIGEL APPLEWHAITE:

Offensive gun Nigel Applewhaite comes to the Lancers after a successful high school career with Westdale Warriors.  In eight games played in the 2012 season, the 5’11, 185 pound Hamilton, Ontario native averaged 13 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns.

Academics and the comfortable atmosphere around the area were among some of the reasons why the Ontario receiver chose the school.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things about the academics of the school,” explained Nigel.  “As I toured around the campus and the city, I felt such a great atmosphere and vibe.”

“The city reminds me a lot of home and I loved it. The players and students at the school were extremely welcoming and it made me feel like I have been good buddies with them for a while.”

However, the offensive star was impressed with how the football program courted him and in the end felt it was the right place to play CIS football.

“I have heard many good things about the coaching staff from various people I know,” added Nigel.  “The coaching staff answered every question my family and I had as well as really giving me a good sense of where I fit into the football program.”

“On a whole, it seemed the perfect place to continue my academic and football career.”

As for the Lancers, the team is looking forward to adding Nigel into the Lancers fold.

“We are very excited to have a player of Nigel calibre join the Lancers team,” commented Lancers head coach Joe D’Amore.  “He is quick and explosive and fits into our offensive system very well.”

KEITEL BURRY:

Defensive star Keitel Burry joins the Lancers after a tremendous season with Clarington Knights of the Ontario Football Conference (OFC).  In six games during the 2012 season, the 6’0, 220 pound linebacker from Bowmanwille, Ontario registered 57 tackles, five sacks, two blocked kicks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble, scored a defensive touchdown and caught an interception.

While he only did play six games, he was the OFC Defensive Points Leader.  Moreover, Keitel was the team’s receiving leader in those six games, but had to sit out the remaining two games due to injury. He is a two time Defensive Player of the Year (2010, 2012) and has served as team captain twice (2010, 2012).

The continual interest from the Lancers impressed Keitel.

“Coach Snyder and I would talk back and forth online which sparked my interest,” said Ketiel. “Jim MacDougall went the extra mile and spoke with me on the phone about once week for over a month.”

“The phone calls played a big factor in my final decision because he was taking time out of his day to just catch up and talk.”

An invitation for an official visit to the campus didn’t hurt either.

“Coach Jim MacDougall invited me up for the weekend to see what Windsor was like,” added the Ontario linebacker.  “Without the invitation to visit, I can almost guarantee I would have ended up some at another University because I had no idea what Windsor was like and had heard a lot of mixed reviews.”

Once he did take the Lancers up on their invitation, there wasn’t a doubt as to where he wanted to continue his gridiron and academic career.

“On my visit Frank Renaud took me out during the day to see the facilities and talk to other students taking Human Kinetics,” reflected Keitel.  “Every student I spoke to told me how great the Human Kinetics department is, most of which not knowing that I was being recruited for the football team.”

“This was the deciding factor for me because I am going to be a student-athlete and definitely want to enjoy my program while playing football at the University of Windsor. By witnessing the relationships that the players have with the coaches, you would think they were family.”

Overall, the future Lancers player is looking forward to embarking on the next chapter of his career at his new CIS home.

“I have a strong bond with most of my coaches throughout my short football career and I can see that continuing at Windsor,” commented Keitel.  “My favourite part about visiting Windsor was the locker room as it had a great atmosphere that just felt right standing in it.”

“I cannot wait to lace up as a Lancer for the first time!”

D’Amore welcomes the impact and presence that the Ontario defensive standout will bring to the team in 2013.

“Keitel is a big physical linebacker who can run very well,” said D’Amore.  “He is a guy that can come in and contribute right away on our special teams and work himself into the lineup.”

(twitter: http://twitter.com/vohra_ameeta)

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