CFL.ca Staff
WOLFVILLE, N.S. — The 2009 regular season started off strong with a dominating performance over Mt Allison 58 – 15 and ended with a win vs Mt Allison 28 – 11. Defensively there were some high points turning our opponents over forcing 15 fumbles on the season and 7 Interceptions. As the season progressed stopping the run was our mantra and with the exception of a few QB scrambles the defense did that very well. Offensively we were sporadic after the incredible start vs Mt A where our QB was the CIS offensive player of the week. There were some great individual games throughout the season but in the end we did not protect the ball consistently enough to advance past the AUS semi final game, which we allowed St FX to comeback and beat us in the 4th qtr 33 – 30.
2010 will represent a year for Acadia to grow up a bit as many of our starters are now moving into their 4th and 5th years. Offensively a new QB will be behind center and there will be a number of new faces on the O line. The veteran leadership will come from the receivers and RB’s, as all but one are returning, and the skill positions should put Acadia back in the scoring column. On the defensive side there are only 4 starters gone from a unit that was the obvious strength of the team last year and will be expected to stop opponent offenses regularly. The strength of the defense will be the defensive backs and the D line where 3 out of 4 starters return to handle the trenches.
This football team, more than any other Acadia team in the last 3 years, is a tight group that will not accept losing and expects to play for a championship in 2010 and many years to come.
Head coach Jeff Cummins on the 2010 Team: “My belief is that we are going to strong on both sides of the ball with a lot of returning players at key positions. If our offensive line can gel and come together under veteran Coach Dan McNally we will put ourselves in a position to battle anybody in the country”
2009 in Review:
2009 regular season record: 2 – 6
2009 regular season standings: 3RD place
2009 playoff record: 0-1
2009 playoff finish: Lost 33 – 30 to ST FX in AUS conference semi-final
Head Coach – Jeff Cummins
Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2010):8
Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2010):8
Career regular season record with team: 25 – 31
Career regular season record in CIS: 25 – 31
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 29 – 37
Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only):29 – 37
OFFENCE
Key returning players:
RB Brett Haenni returns for his 3rd season. Led team in rushing avg 5.5 yds per rush was 6th in conference and has gotten bigger and stronger this offseason.
REC Taylor Renaud and Josh Pearsall both return for their 3rd seasons respectively. Combined they had 37 catches and 5 TD’s but neither player was able to finish a full season because of injuries however expectations are high after great off seasons.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
OL Travis Miller from the Okanagan Sun Jr football program. Travis was the linemen of the year for his team and has been a team captain for 3 out of the 5 years he started at Center for the Sun. Originally from Grand Prairie, AB Travis will be expected to come in and provide a veteran perspective to the line.
OL Shaun Feasby transfer from U of Toronto. Shaun sat out 2009 and will be eligible to play right away for Acadia and at 6’5 310lbs he will be a guy that will be expected to come in and compete right away.
REC Mike Squires transfer from U of Waterloo. 6’4 205 slot back starter for Waterloo last season has transferred out to be closer to home (Halifax, NS). Mike has the ability and talent to come in right away and be a player for Acadia. As an invitee to the National invitational combine for the CFL Mike has high expectations for himself and those people who know about the next level.
Key losses:
QB Keith Lockwood, Rec Devon Jones, OL Greg Kinsman, OL Greg Knight, OL Chris Cartwright and OL Erik Watson
DEFENCE
Key returning players:
DB Mike Miller, All conference and all Canadian 2009. Mike was an East/West game representative for Acadia and has the possibility to be a repeat all Canadian if he can stay healthy. Mike is a ferocious defender and enjoys the contact of the game all the while growing as a cover from his HB position.
LB Tom Labenski, All conference 2008. Tom was an East/West game representative for Acadia last year and will be the starter at MLB again. Tom was not surprising anybody last year with his play as the league knew where and when he was in the game. He usually saw a couple of O linemen coming his direction but sacrificed his stats for the team. Tom’s off season growth will help him to become one of, if not the best, Linebackers in our conference. He is relentless.
DE Adrian Saturley, All conference DE 2009 and was tied for the league and team sack title with 4. Adrian graduated with his BBA last spring but will comeback to upgrade and work towards a championship and grad school. Expectations are high for both Adrian and the rest of his line mates.
DB Mike Rostance, All conference Free Safety 2009. Mike was an East/West game representative for Acadia and is expected to run the defense from his Safety position. Shorty is trying to emulate the last all Canadian free safety here Elliott Richardson who is now playing with the Edmonton Eskimos.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
DL Kirby Fletcher from Peace River High school in AB. Kirby has the size (6’3 285lbs) and talent to become a stalwart at nose guard. He is expected to come in and challenge for a starting position right away. He will have to learn the speed of the game quickly but his quickness and agility should help his adjustment.
LB Mike Benson from Winnipeg Rifles of the PFC Jr football conference. Mike will be expected to come in and contribute right away as a long snapper on both punt and FG snaps. He is also going to bolster a Linebacking corp that will need some help after a few veteran guys have decided not to return to school over the summer.
DB Jordan Michalow from the Edmonton Huskies and Ross Shepherd HS, Edmonon AB. Jordan’s athletic ability as a DB and returner should allow him to enter his first year of university right on stride with the rest of the players here. His ability to cover man to man will improve an already veteran laden group of DB’s.
Key losses:
LB Taylor Shadgett, LB Kirstyn Carruthers, DL Rich Johnson, DB Andrew Roorda
-With files from the Acadia University Axemen
