Lancer Football: Standouts and Sleepers!

Good afternoon everyone!

It is the end of August and everyone knows what that means....football!!!! Not just any kind of football but that rather whacky style of football we Canadians love and adore. That's right I am talking the CIS and OUA brand where this week's featured team looks to build on a season which saw them fall in the semi-finals. The Windsor Lancers, led by their fiery coach Joe D'Amore, return to the turf this Labour Day Monday to begin a new chapter in Lancer football lore. Without further adieu here is my football preview for the 2012 edition of the Windsor Lancers. 

Offence

No worries bro, I got this

Austin Kennedy, QB- The third year quarterback jumped onto the scene after an injury to senior QB Sam Malian sidelined him for the season. Kennedy finished 5^th in the CIS with 263.5 yards per game and quickly displayed why anytime Kennedy touches the ball a play can be made, even when it looks like it is over. Kennedy’s calm and collected attitude provided a Lancer offense with the confidence that most other teams need hundreds of reps to develop. The 205lb Business major has displayed a clear understanding of Coach D’Amore’s high tempo offence and with another weapon to add to his already lethal arsenal, look for Kennedy to improve upon his impressive totals from last season. Kennedy led the nation with 20 touchdown passes and a 65 %completion rate.

Just put it in the air,
I'll come down with it!

Jordan Brescacin, WR- With a playmaking QB  on one end the raw athleticism shone thru last year for Brescacin. The 4^th year Concurrent Math major was quick with his calculations on the field that saw him haul in 50 receptions for 773 yards, good for 96.6 yards per game placing him third in the CIS in receiving.  Of all people chomping at the bit to get the 2012 season underway Brescacin would rank at the top of that list. As some might recall the 6’4’’, 180lb receiver was knocked out of the Yates Cup semifinal in London last year on a late and vicious hit by Western linebacker Pawel Kruba. Without Brescascin the Lancers fell short and were eliminated from the playoffs. During the off-season, the Tecumseh native signed on with the Hamilton Ti-Cats and brings a plethora of knowledge into camp that will positively rub off on the rest of the receiving core. With Coach D’Amore stressing the importance of limiting mistakes while cranking up the pace of his offence, Brescacin will prove to be a difference maker anytime he is on the field.

Sexy and I know it

Nick Corrado, C- Having a talented QB and a standout WR is important but not having any time to make a play can stop an offence in its tracks. Fortunately for the Lancers they welcome back the 4^th year Environmental Studies major to their offensive line. Voted the sweatiest athlete in football last season, the 6’1’’, 275lbs athletic specimen has a humble attitude off the field but his tenacious instincts allow him to adjust to any play developing with Kennedy under center. Corrado is considered by many to be the leader of the offensive line and there "all for one, one for all" mentality displays the commitment to success that D’Amore has preached since his first day on campus. With only 5 interceptions on the year, Corrado and company can be looked upon to provide the pocket protection Kennedy enjoyed last season.  

Defence

Quarterbacks beware!

Andrew Bakos, DL- At 5’11’’, 282lbs Bakos provides a defensive attack that is unmatched among the OUA. The Grizzly Adams/Wolverine bearded Human Kinetics major comes off the end with more energy than former Bills lineman Bruce Smith after consuming a case of Pixy Stixs, and is a handful for any offensive lineman. Staying committed to off-season training, which included a daily regiment of badminton, has Bakos in top form and ready for the grind of another long season. Bakos has shown incredible footwork and a wide variety of maneuvers that keep the offence guessing. Whether it be dropping a running back in the backfield or tracking down a scrambling quarterback, Bakos finds nothing more rewarding than making the big play. With Seamus Potsuma graduating, Bakos will need to elevate his game to next level if he wishes to continue to rein terror on opposing QB’s.

Here comes the boom!

Brad Adams, LB- Whenever the oft time a running back squeezes through the defensive line or a receiver attempts to go over the middle, Adams will be the first to welcome said opponent to Windsor with a hit that would make your bones rattle standing on the sideline. Adams, along with CB Shea Pierre and Matt McGarva provide a smash mouth type defense in Windsor that hasn’t been seen in a long time. Last season Adams had 37.5 total tackles while throwing in 2 sacks. Adams will be looked upon to lead a defense that is widely considered in the elite of the OUA. Adams’ commitment to strength and condition has Coach D’Amore salivating at the mouth as to what offenses will have to get through to generate any sort of offensive attack. If the offence ever does arrive, Adams will greet them with a warm Windsor defense welcome. Ka Boom!

Plays just as mean as he looks!

"Coach, this is the third helmet this week!"

Matt McGarva(L), Shea Pierre (R), CB- If the offense cannot successfully advance the ball on the ground, McGarva and Pierre will make airing it out an absolute nightmare. The final two pieces of the smash mouth defense make receivers cringe at the line of scrimmage. No matter how many jukes and jives a receiver can attempt, Pierre and McGarva are all over them like a fat kid on a bag of Skittles. Last season Pierre and McGarva both had an interception while McGarva brought his back 109 yards for a TD. The OUA All-Start McGarva had 49 tackles on the year while Pierre racked up 23 of his own. These two will be a dynamic duo in the backfield that will gladly let their opponents know how great they are, because who can blame them for the amount of confidence they have. Pierre and McGarva along with the remainder of the defense will keep the Windsor offense on the field longer and help win the time of possession which Coach D’Amore will be quick to tell you how important that is.

For Coach D’Amore and his staff, they should be proud of what they accomplished thus far but they all know how talk only goes so far and actions must take over. With this group of Lancers I do not see that being a problem. It is all part of the new expectations in Windsor. 



With that folks I bid you a farewell and hope the new season starts off on the right foot. I'll be back soon but until then follow me, I am right behind you!

Cheers knuckleheads! 

- The Irate Italian