CFL.ca Staff
KINGSTON, Ont. — The 2009 season saw Queen’s capture their fourth Vanier Cup in school history and in the process, becoming the first school to capture the Vanier Cup in four different decades. After finishing the season first in the OUA with a 7-1 record, the #4 nationally-ranked Gaels defeated the #5 Western Mustangs in the ‘greatest Yates Cup game in history’. The team’s magical run continued when they shocked the top-ranked Laval Rouge et Or in the Mitchell Bowl before overcoming an 18 point half-time deficit to defeat the #2 Calgary Dinos 33-31 in the CIS Championship.
After graduating 12 starters from last year, the 2010 version of the Gaels will be a much younger team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. While the team has lost key contributors such as Jimmy Allin, Shomari Williams and Chris Smith, a number of young players will use their championship experience to provide a solid foundation to Pat Tracey’s defence. Stephen Laporte and Ben D’Andrea, who were two of the Gaels top players in the Vanier Cup, both participated in the 2010 East-West Bowl which features the top draft-eligible players for the CFL next year, while defensive lineman Frank Pankewich will lead a revamped front-four for the Gaels.
On offence, Queen’s will have a new man under centre for the first time in five years. Second-year pivot Justin Chapdelaine is the favourite to assume the role vacated by Danny Brannagan and has two games experience from last year to build on. Despite the loss of two other key offensive stars in Scott Valberg and Marty Gordon, the Gaels will once again be a veteran group on offence, outside of the quarterback position. Three veteran receivers in the form of Devan Sheahan, Blaise Morrison and Chris Ioannides will give Chapdelaine excellent targets through the air and with the return of fifth year running back Jimmy Therrien, the Gaels have a strong core leading them into their defence of their Ontario and Canadian championships.
Head coach Pat Sheahan on the upcoming season: “Last year’s championship season is now a page of history and this year’s team has the ultimate standard to strive for. A number of key contributors to the Vanier Cup Championship have graduated leaving some ‘big shoes’ to fill. There are a number of good seniors who have returned to lead the team and another group of veterans who have waited patiently for their chance to move into leadership roles on our team. The new leaders will have to write their own story in 2010”
Head coach Pat Sheahan on the 2010 recruiting class: “This year’s recruiting class looks to be one the best in recent memory. We have secured blue chip players at every position, some of whom will compete for playing time this year. There are several whose transition to the CIS has occurred rapidly. Things look good here for the future.”
2009 in review:
2009 regular season record: 7-1
2009 regular season standings: 1st OUA
2009 playoff record: 4-0
2009 playoff finish: Won Vanier Cup 33-31 over Calgary Dinos
Head Coach – Pat Sheahan:
Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2010): 11th season
Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2010): 22nd season
Career regular season record with team: 50-30
Career regular season record in CIS: 98-63-1
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 59-36
Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 113-77-1
OFFENCE
Key returning players:
REC Devan Sheahan returns for his fifth season with the Gaels. He finished second on the Gaels in receiving in 2009 with 551 yards and one touchdown before leading the team in receiving yards in the playoffs with 354.
OL Matt O’Donnell enters his fourth season with Queen’s. A First Team All-Canadian a year ago and 2010 East-West Bowl participant, O’Donnell will be leaned upon to lead the offensive line in protecting the Gaels young quarterbacks this season.
REC Blaise Morrison returns for his final season of CIS football. He finished third on the Gaels in receiving touchdowns last year with three and second in average yards per reception at 16.2.
RB Jimmy Therrien enters his fifth year as a Gael. Last season, as the Gaels leading rusher, he averaged over 100 yards rushing per game during the regular season before adding 209 yards and two touchdowns in the Gaels run to the Vanier Cup.
REC Chris Ioannides returns for his final year at Queen’s. He finished tied for first on the team in touchdowns a year ago with four and was second in receptions with 46.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
QB Billy McPhee from Notre Dame Catholic High School (Burlington, Ont.). McPhee guided Notre Dame to the 2009 Golden Horseshoe Bowl Championship where he was named the game’s MVP.
REC/K Aaron Gazendam from Holy Cross Catholic High School (Kingston, Ont.). Gazendam won the KASSA Championship last season with Holy Cross and played for Team Ontario in the U17 Canadian Championships.
REC Trent Winton from Frontenac Secondary School (Kingston, Ont.). A two-time OFSSA Champion in 2007 and 2008, Winton was named a Kingston Football All-Star three times while at Frontenac.
Key losses:
QB Danny Brannagan
REC Scott Valberg
RB Marty Gordon
OL Vince De Civita
DEFENCE
Key returning players:
DB Alex Daprato returns for his final year with Queen’s. After playing through an injury for most of the 2009 regular season, he stepped up his game in the Gaels playoff run, recording 19 tackles a sack and a forced fumble.
DL Frank Pankewich enters his second season in the CIS. A breakout year in 2009 saw him record 16 tackles and three sacks during the regular season before finishing third on the team in playoff tackles with 20 and third in sacks with two.
LB Stephen Laporte enters his third season with the Gaels. A First Team OUA All-Star last year and 2010 East-West Bowl participant, he finished the season with 18.5 tackles before saving his best game for the Vanier Cup when he led the Gaels in tackles with eight and recorded a sack.
DL Osie Ukwuoma returns for his fifth and final year at Queen’s. A three-time CIS All-Canadian, he is currently third all-time in sacks at Queen’s with 18.5 and will once again be a constant presence in the opposing teams’ backfield.
DB Ben D’Andrea enters his third year with Queen’s. The 2010 East-West Bowl participant, who had 13 tackles during the regular season, had his best game of the year in the Gaels Vanier Cup victory, recording 4.5 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
LB Sam Sabourin from South Carleton District High School (Stittsville, Ont.). Sabourin is a three-time OFSSA finalist with South Carleton and was twice named the MVP of the Myers Riders of the OVFL.
DE Derek Wiggan from St. Michael’s College (Toronto, Ont.). Wiggan won back-to-back Metro Bowl Championships with St. Michael’s and was a Toronto Star High School Athlete of the Year.
DE/LB Zach Fitterer from Christ the King Catholic High School (Georgetown, Ont.). Won the Senior Championship with Christ the King in Grade 9 as a starter and broke two OVFL records in one game (most points in a game, most sacks
in a game).
Key losses:
DB Jimmy Allin
LB Chris Smith
DB T.J. Leeper
DL Shomari Williams
-With files from the Queen’s University Gaels
