Weekly ‘DID YOU KNOW?” (12): New name emerges in Rams vacancy, moonlighting, predictions & dry spell over

Each week, CanadaFootballChat.com will bring you some of the fascinating stories from Canadian amateur football

We introduce to you the next weekly installment of CFC’s “Did you know”:

DID YOU KNOW (11):  NOVEMBER 21st:

DID YOU KNOW (10): NOVEMBER 16th:

DID YOU KNOW (9): NOVEMBER 9TH:

DID YOU KNOW (BONUS): NOVEMBER 9TH:

DID YOU KNOW (8): NOVEMBER 1ST

DID YOU KNOW (7): OCTOBER 24th

DID YOU KNOW (6): OCTOBER 17TH

DID YOU KNOW (5): OCTOBER 10TH

DID YOU KNOW (4) – OCTOBER 3RD

DID YOU KNOW (3) – SEPTEMBER 26th

DID YOU KNOW (2) – SEPTEMBER 19th

DID YOU KNOW (1) – SEPTEMBER 12th

• NEW NAME AND UPDATE IN RAMS VACANCY:

Reliable sources confirmed to CFC after the article we ran this week on CIS coaching vacancies that there is a new name in the mix for the Regina Rams vacancy.  Bob Dyce now appears to be the front runner for the positon and there are rumours that he has already been interviewed for the position.  Dyce is currently the Special Teams Coordinator of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders. He has instructed at the CIS level as a receivers coach with the Manitoba Bisons for seven years.  Also, he has previously been with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for seven seasons. Dyce began his coaching career in the CJFL in 1992. His recruiting ability makes him an attractive candidate but will he take the position should it be offered to him?

In an article this week by the Phoenix Star Ledger, the Rams have begun the process for selecting Frank McCrystal’s replacement.  A six member hiring committee will be reviewing applications that have been submitted from the job posting.  So far, they have received over 20 applications for the job and will also take a look at any late applications that arrive. Once they review the pool of applicants, it is the hope to assemble a shortlist of at least three applicants.

Stay tuned…

• BISON MAKES HISTORY:

On Thursday night in Montreal, Manitoba Bisons slotback Nic Demski etched his name in the team’s history books.  He became the first Bison to be selected on four CIS All-Canadian teams. At the ceremony, Demski was selected to the second CIS All-Star team.

• HILLTOP JACK OF ALL TRADES:

Ben Hodson is pretty talented.  The offensive lineman for the Canadian Bowl Champions Saskatoon Hilltops also moonlighted as the team’s barber.  Hodson gave his teammates pretty unique hairstyles before their postseason journey began – everything from mullets to skullets.  Furthermore, he and his teammates are currently crafting their Canadian Bowl championship rings. We are looking forward to seeing the finished product.

• MAC’S MOONLIGHTER:

Marshall Ferguson continues to wow everyone but recently he gave us another reason to marvel at his talents.  Right after he led McMaster to victory in the Mitchell Bowl over the Mount Allison Mounties, the McMaster Marauders pivot headed over to the gymnasium to broadcast both the men’s and women’s basketball games for the schools radio station.  Ferguson is currently a communications student at the Hamilton, Ontario school and previously obtained a Political Science degree.

• PIVOT ON CHAMPIONSHIP HUNT:

Another Mc Master Marauders pivot is looking to add to his trophy case.  Asher Hastings is looking for his second consecutive national championship.  On Saturday, he will try to achieve this goal as the Marauders battle the Carabins in the 50^th Vanier Cup.  Last year, Hasting led the Saskatoon Hilltops of the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) the Canadian Junior Football League’s (CJFL) Canadian Bowl.

• STEF’S VANIER PREDICTION:

At a CIS “Meet the Team’s” Press Conference this week, McMaster Marauders Head Coach Stefan Ptazsek made a simple prediction of how the 50^th Vanier Cup will be decided – “I think defence will define the day”. His Marauder troops are already preparing to face a long day against the Carabins as he said in the press conference “no one is scoring touchdowns against” their Montreal opponents. Will his predictions hold true?

• 2014 DOUG SHUH RECIPIENT:

After guiding the Jacob Hespeler Hawks to consecutive Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association (WCSSAA) Championships, linebacker Devin Keeling has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Doug Shuh Award as league MVP. Keeling will begin his CIS career at McMaster in 2015.

• GRANDE PRAIRIE DROUGHT OVER:

Last weekend, St. Joseph Celtics were crowned Alberta Tier 2 Provincial Champions after defeated Medicine Hat Mohawks.  With their win, the Celtics ended an 18 year dry spell that Grande Prairie high schools faced when it came to winning provincial crowns.  Previous to the Celtics, the last team to win was Sexsmith Sabres in 1996.