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GAITER
FOOTBALL OUTLOOK : 2004 PROSPECTUS The Bishop’s Gaiters are entering a new era. Led by first year Head Coach Tony Addona, the Gaiters hope to regain their winning ways which were the program’s trademark over the past few decades. Addona, who is also the university’s Director of Athletics, previously coached seventeen seasons at Champlain College in Lennoxville. During that time, Addona led his charges to a most impressive 8 Bol D’Or championships and amassed a record of 125 wins 47 losses and 1 tie. Addona will be the Offensive Coordinator and coach the quarterbacks. The rest of the coaching staff includes: Marc Loranger ( Defensive Coordinator, Linebackers), Leroy Blugh (Defensive Line, Special Teams), Matt McBrine (receivers), Joey Sabo (running backs), Richard Parenteau ( O-Line) Marc Parenteau (O-Line), Eric Bolduc (Linebackers) Stephane Cote (defensive backs), Charles Francoeur (defensive backs). OFFENSE returns seven starters: The Bishop’s offense will look for a balanced attack. There is optimism that the ground game will be improved and that the passing game will feature better ball distribution. The first question that training camp will answer is who the quarterback will be. Incumbent Pat Nadeau enters his 3rd year of eligibility and hopes to establish himself as a starter. Nadeau will receive strong competition from blue chip recruit Kyle Williams (Waterdown H.S., -Waterdown, Ont.) who captained his team to the Metro Bowl championship in 2003. Williams stands in at 6’1” and weighs 200 lbs. and should be an impact player for years to come. The receiver corps includes 3 starters all going into their third year led by David Delaby ( 19 receptions 294 yards, 15.5 avg., 4 td’s), Tommy Parent (14 rec.- 150 yds.) and 6’4” 220 lb. Ryan McGinnis (9 rec. 103 yds.). Watch for freshmen Keith Godding (6’0” 185 lbs. , Champlain-Lennoxville) and Steve Kolada (6’2” 195 lbs., John Abbott College) to break into the lineup. Godding is a deep threat while Kolada runs great routes and is a possession receiver. The running back situation is open for all comers but includes some very able candidates led by returning starter fullback Stefan Szary ( 6’0” 200 lbs., 13 carries 85 yards) who enters his 3rd year. Replacing Andre Bynoe will not be easy but 6’0” 205 lb. Michel Foures-Wilson ( 60 carries 411 yards 6.7 ypc, 3 td’s) and 5’9” 200 lb. Jon Armstrong (14 carries 95 yards) are up to the challenge. The offensive line is bigger, stronger and deeper than it has been in years. Veterans 6’4” 325 lb. Mathieu Cock’s Morrisette , 5’11” 275 lb. Francis Brunelle and 6’1” 250 lb. Geoffrey Snow return as starters but will be pushed by two linemen who have moved from defense to offense. 6’3” 275 lb. Emmanuel Rick and 6’4” 270 Tyler Skelding have to emerge as game day contributors as will 6’3” 280 lb. Wes Denley. Freshman Steve Mabee (Champlain-Lennoxville) is 6’2” 275 lbs. who has the ability to make an immediate contribution. SPECIAL TEAMS: This unit will be coached by former CFL and Bishop’s great Leroy Blugh who is insistent upon improving this extremely important phase of the game for the Purple and White. The goal established by Blugh is very simple: “Know your assignment and go all out on every play.” The Kicking and Punting game will be handled by 2nd year Alex Dyer who started every game as a freshman last season. Dyer was put into a pressure situation and handled it with ability and poise making 11 out of 15 field goals (second best in the QIFC) while averaging 30.1 yards per punt. DEFENSE returns 7 starters: Coordinator Marc Loranger is seeking to bring back the tenacious defensive style that was part of the great Bishop’s tradition. “We began working on our attitude this winter,” states Loranger. “We want to change the perception of who we are and what we are. While Football remains a very physical sport, we want to concentrate as well on the mental aspect which we hope will bring us to greater heights.” The front line returns some talented veterans led by 5th year 6’0” 230 lb. Pierre-Olivier Proulx who led the team with 46.5 tackles and anchors the defense from his linebacker position. 6’3” 235 lb. Dan McCullough (28 tackles) has All Canadian potential as does 6’3” 280 lb. Matthew Chown (16.5 tackles). Both played prominent roles as freshmen last season. 5th year 6’0” 225 lb. Jamie Edwards (15 tackles) and 6’1” 265 lb. Anthony Gauthier (18.5 tackles) round out the rest of the incumbent starters on the D line. The coaching staff welcomes back to Lennoxville former Champlain Cougar and University of Western Ontario transfer Kevin Mackey who will play at linebacker. Mackey, 5’11” 200 lbs., will provide great leadership as well as quality on the field performance. Freshman 6’3” 240 lb. Charles Burke is a defensive end that hails from Windsor, Ontario and should definitely compete for playing time right away. The secondary may be unheralded but as a group they are a very able group who will surprise all critics and compete successfully in the QIFC. They will be led by starters 4th year 5’9”180 lb. Phil Comeau (18.5 tackles, 3 int.), 3rd year 5’9” 185 lb. Kevin Mailloux (27.5 tackles, 1 int.) and the talented 5’10” 175 lb. Cole Gehring who joined the team late in the season. |
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