CFL.ca Staff
HAMILTON — The McMaster football team is very enthusiastic about their chances in 2010. Last season McMaster won six of their eight regular season games, including a 42-35 upset of the number two ranked Western Mustangs in London. Their 6-2 record put them in an unusual four way tie for second place that saw them enter the playoffs as the fifth seed. They travelled to Ottawa upsetting the fourth seeded Ottawa Gee Gees, 27-15, before falling to the eventual Vanier Cup Champion Queen’s Gaels in the OUA conference semi-finals.
This season McMaster returns most of their starters on both the offensive and defensive lines, and with third-year quarterback Kyle Quinlan having had all summer to prepare as the number one pivot the Marauders look poised to have another successful season on offence in 2010. The backfield will continue to be led by outstanding rushers Jordan Kozina and Joey Nemet. The Marauders will also have multiple weapons at receiver in Michael DiCroce, Kevin D’Hollander, and Matt Peressini.
On defense McMaster will look to capitalize on the experience of their defensive line playing primarily a 4-3 setup combined with situational packages. Steve Cecchini will anchor the McMaster pass rush and a young and talented defensive back field is a year older and should continue to improve. OUA all-star Byron Metcalfe will move to linebacker on the depth chart this season to reinforce the middle of the field also providing some of the emerging talent at defensive back an opportunity to contribute.
This season the Marauders will pick up where they left off opening at home against the Gaels on Tuesday, August 31 at 7:00 pm at McMaster’s Ron Joyce Stadium.
From head coach Stefan Ptaszek
On the Offence:
“The offence has been executing at a high level through out training camp. A lot of that has to do with our quarterback Kyle Quinlan and the fact that he was around campus this summer putting in the extra work. I am excited to see where we get to on offence this season.”
On the Defence:
“I have been pleasantly surprised by the play of our young linebackers. Some injuries have forced some young players to the forefront and they are doing a very good job thus far.”
On the Team:
“Despite the short window to prepare for the start of the season the team has been executing at a high level.”
2009 in review:
2009 regular season record: 6-2
2009 regular season standings: tied for 2nd
2009 playoff record: 1-1
2009 playoff finish: Lost 32-6 to Queen’s in OUA semifinal
Head Coach – Stefan Ptaszek
Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2010): 5
Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2010): 5
Career regular season record with team: 21-11
Career regular season record in CIS: 21-11
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 22-15
Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 22-15
OFFENCE
Key returning players:
RB Jordan Kozina: A versatile player who is a threat both running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield. Kozina was the team’s offensive MVP in 2009 rushing for 745 yards on 116 carries for an average of 6.2 per carry with two rushing touchdowns. He was fourth in the OUA in rushing in 2009. All while sharing the back field with fellow offensive threat Joey Nemet. Kozina also caught nine balls for 188 yards and three touchdowns in 2009.
RB Joey Nemet: A second team OUA all-star in 2008, Nemet provides the one two punch with Jordan Kozina in the Marauder backfield. He averaged an identical 6.2 yards per carrier as Kozina did in 2010 finishing the regular season with 631 yards on 98 carries good for seventh in the conference.
WR Mike DiCroce – DiCroce’s rookie season was a break out one in 2009. An outstanding athlete with great hands and speed he was second on the team in receiving with 23 receptions for 400 yards for an average of 17.4. DiCroce was also the top punt returner on the Marauders, third in the OUA, with 27 returns for 319 yards and an average of 11.8 per return including a return for a touchdown. With his rookie season out of the way, the coaching staff with look to utilize his athleticism by lining him up at different positions this year.
WR Kevin D’Hollander – A second team OUA all-star in 2008, D’Hollander’s combination of size and speed will create matchup problems for most of the defenses in the conference. He was third on the team in receiving in 2009 with 22 receptions for 397 yards scoring five touchdowns.
QB Kyle Quinlan – Quinlan will enter his second season as the starting quarterback after taking over midway through the 2009 season. He is a very accurate passer and he has worked hard to improve his arm strength in the off season. Despite not having started all the Marauders regular season games he still finished with 1405 yards passing on 89 of 153 completions including nine touchdowns.
OL Justin Glover – A first team All-Canadian in 2009, Glover is the fifth year senior on an already very experienced offensive line. He is an excellent run blocker who can line up at any five of the offensive line positions.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
RB Ryan Kotar – Bishop Ryan, Hamilton, ON
QB Marshall Ferguson – Frontenac, Kingston, ON
OL Michael Warner – University of Waterloo
RB Tanner Forsyth – University of Waterloo
Key losses:
WR Matt Giordano
QB Ryan Fantham
DEFENCE
Key returning players:
LB Ryan Chmielewski – A first team OUA all-star in 2009 and former OUA rookie of the year, Chmielewski is a sure tackler who can get sideline to sideline. He led the team in tackles last season with 44 solo tackles also adding three sacks, and an interception.
LB Byron Metcalfe – A second team OUA all-star in 2009 and a Marauder Scholar recipient, Metcalfe will be asked to play some linebacker with the graduation of Justin Vince. The move to linebacker will also allow some of the younger defensive backs that have emerged to enter the lineup.
DB Stephen Dennis – Dennis started every game at free safety last season. A very smart player who is rarely caught out of position Dennis will be a key player in the continually improving defense back field.
DL Steve Cecchini – A 2009 second team OUA all-star Cecchini is a Marauder Scholar who is equally good at the pass rush as he is at playing the run. He was second on the team in tackles with 28 solo; he also had a sack and a fumble recovery last season.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
K Tyler Crapigna – Myers Riders, Ottawa, ON
LB Sheldon Davis – Forest Heights, Kitchener, ON
DB Steve Ventresca — Bishop Ryan, Hamilton, ON
Key losses:
LB James Edwards
LB Justin Vince
