CFL.ca Staff
The Guelph Gryphons enter the 2010 season with a new look. First year head coach, Stu Lang takes over the reins of the program, after moving up from his former position as receivers coach last season. He will be joined by a pair of new full-time coordinators in Perry Marchese as the offensive coordinatorand Kevin MacNeill as the defensive coordinator.
With a number of key returners on both sides of the ball back in the fold, the Gryphons are looking to move up from their 3-5 record and sixth place finish last season. Last season, they were defeated by the OUA runner-up Western Mustangs (37-18) in the quarter-finals. Of the five league losses, four were by a total of 15 points.
The departure of fifth-year starting quarterback, Justin Dunk will be a blow to the Gryphons. Third-year quarterback Chris Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.) is expected to be the new man under centre this season, and must follow one of the best quarterbacks in Gryphon history. Rossetti steps into the spotlight during his third season with the Gryphons, with his only experience comprising from helping to lead the Gryphons to a 34-24 victory over Waterloo last year.
The Gryphons will return five starters on offence, including two of the most dynamic football players in the country including receiver Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.) and CIS second team All-Canadian Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.). Look for both to be significant components of the 2010 offence.
With a veteran defence, returning 10 starters, the Gryphons are expecting to dictate the tempo of games this year with their aggressiveness and speed. In the secondary all five starters return, with two-time first team All-Canadian James Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont.) leading the way.
The punting and kicking duties are a question mark for the Gryphons after the departure of All-Canadian and current CFL kicker Rob Maver. With five hopefuls in training camp, the position is up for grabs.
“We’re very excited to get the season underway, the players have been working-out very hard during the off-season, the quarterbacks especially, learning the plays. We have some good people returning, so we are very positive going into the season,” said Gryphons head coach Stu Lang.
“Our recruiting has been good, we’ve gotten bigger on the offensive and defensive line. We have also added several good receivers and running backs.”
“The big question for us is our quarterback position. We have some players that have had success in high school. Chris Rossetti played for us in one game last year. That’s the biggest question mark for us going into the season. They all have great ability to run and control the ball, but we’ll have to see what happens under game conditions.”
2009 in review:
regular season record: 3-5
regular season standings: sixth place
playoff record: 0-1
playoff finish: lost 37-18 to Western Mustangs in OUA quarter-final.
Coaching record:
Stu Lang is entering his first season as Guelph’s head coach.
OFFENCE
Key returning players: Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.), Jedd Gardner (Niagara Falls, Ont.),Matt Richardson (Caledonia, Ont.), Andrew Crosby (Mississauga, Ont.)
Key recruits: Robbie Fraquarson (Niagara Falls, Ont. – Stanford Secondary),Keith Walker (Burlington, Ont. – Assumption high school, Nick Anapolsky (Guelph, Ont. – Waterloo) Steve Legace (Burlington, Ont. -Waterloo)
Key losses: Justin Dunk, Rob Maver, Dave Harrison, Josh McCreight, Jamie Shaw, Ryan Bomben,
DEFENCE
Key returning players: James Savoie (Niagara Falls, Ont), Grant MacDonald (London, Ont.), Scott Eggleton (Belleville, Ont.), Adam Dunk (Guelph, Ont.), Matt Rossetti (Mississauga, Ont.).
Key recruits: Kalvin Sellis (Newmarket, Ont. – Eastern Michigan – Huron Heights Secondary School.), Hunter Principi (Hamilton, Ont. – St. Thomas Moore), Jeff Finley (St. Cathaerines, Ont. – Sir Winston Churchill school), Brett Hamilton (Lively, Ont.)
Key losses: Jeff Cain, Phil Warnica
-With files from Guelph Gryphons
