CFL.ca Staff
WINDSOR, ON — After a disappointing year in 2009, head coach Mike Morencie and the Lancers are excited to get started after an extensive off season of training.
Coach Morencie’s squad returns 16 starters from 2009. On offense there is a blend of speed and athleticism that should bode well for the future.
Starting quarterback Sam Malian is back at the helm, and in top form following an injury ridden sophomore season. The young quarterback from Windsor, Ontario had an outstanding rookie campaign before being sidelined shortly into the 2009 year.
Windsor’s Austin Kennedy, out of Vincent Massey High School, will be pushing for the No. 2 spot at the quarterback position.
Leading the group are seniors Paul Lefaive and Derek Hymers as the primary backs who will secure a majority of the carries in the backfield, while third year standout Jordan Brescacin and fourth year Cory Fernandes will take on the main duties at wide receiver.
The coaches will also be looking at seniors Nick Cicchini, and Chris Cowan, and second year offensive lineman Samir Mouawad, Nick Corrado, and Jared Olsen to lead the younger core of athletes on the field.
The team’s defensive secondary appears to be the overall strength of the team, as it is anchored by fifth year DB Matt Bucknor, third years Daryl Townsend, Shea Pierre, Udoka Nwaesei, and sophomore Matt McGarva.
Making an impact on the field will be defensive lineman Seamus Postuma who is back for a third season, and linebacker Chris Arquette who is back for his fourth year in the blue and gold. Rookie linebacker Stephon Miller has had an excellent camp and will be fighting for a spot in the starting line-up.
Caught in a numbers game, the Lancers move OL Akim Whonder from the defensive secondary to linebacker. “We were having trouble finding a role for him,” said Morencie. “He is extremely athletic and I think he will do a great job moving up one spot.”
Windsor’s kicking game will also be in top form with the return of 2009 starter Joe
Colella and 5th year Robert Eeuwes, who missed 2009 while attending his first year of law school.
The Lancers open up the 2010 season on Tuesday August 31st when they host the Ottawa Gee Gees at 7:00pm on Alumni Field at University of Windsor Stadium.
Head coach Mike Morencie on the 2010 team: “The strength of our offense going into camp appears to be our running backs,” said Morencie.”They are a deep and talented group. So much so that we had to move some of them to wide receiver to relieve some of the back log.”
“The defence is an extremely strong group with the secondary being in excellent form,” continued Morencie. “These guys have a wealth of experience behind them, and that’s going to translate on the field.”
2009 in Review:
2009 regular season record: 2-6
2009 regular season standings: 8th place, OUA
2009 playoff record: Did not qualify
