BY JOHN DECOSTE
[email protected]
NovaNewsNow.com
The Acadia football Axemen weren’t as bad last year as their 1-7 conference record would suggest. Next weekend (Aug. 29), they will officially begin their quest to turn that record around.
The Axemen have lost some key players to graduation, particularly on the offensive line, but offensive coordinator Josh Lambert says the coaching staff is high on a number of recruits to fill the gaps.
“We feel we have some talent among our recruits, including some players who have transferred in from other schools,” Lambert said. “We’re looking for some of these guys to step in and make an immediate impact.”
The biggest need for the Axemen was on the O-line, where Steve Patrick, Curtis Taylor and three-time all-Canadian Adam Rogers, now with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, all moved on.
On hand to help fill the gap is Roy Medeiros, a transfer from Bishop’s who will attend Acadia Divinity College.
The coaches are still working on another O-line transfer student who will be able to play right away.
“We have a couple of younger guys as well,” Lambert said, “but they aren’t as far along in their development.” Medeiros will join returning tackles Greg Kinsman and Greg Knight, with the centre position still to be determined based on who does what at camp.
QB poised for great year
At quarterback, Keith Lockwood enters his final season of eligibility and Lambert said the California native “is poised for a great year. He has shown great leadership over the summer, even while battling some injuries.”
Kyle Graves will back up Lockwood and the Axemen also recruited a pair of Nova Scotians, Evan Brown and Andrew Healy, both of whom come highly regarded at the quarterback position.
The backfield will feature 2008 impact rookie Nick Lauder at tailback, who “made the best of his opportunities” as an injury replacement last season and is, in Lambert’s view, ready for bigger and better things.
Zack Skibin, a highly regarded recruit from Edmonton, will get an opportunity to be part of the mix and hopefully make the same kind of impact Lauder did last year.
Devon Jones, a quick and exciting receiver as well as a force on special teams, “might be the top receiver in the conference,” and will lead the receiving corps. Will Tanner should start also, with Stu Clow, Jordan Beyea and Josh Pearsall also in the mix.
Taylor Renaud, another transfer from Bishop’s who can play right away, and Tristan Hercules, 6’1 or 6’2” and “a speed merchant,” are new faces at receiver. Hercules, Lambert said, has lots of potential. He is “still quite raw, but his speed should help make up for it.”
More athletic on ‘D’
On defense, the Axemen lost Jamie Johnson from the D-line and Elliott Richardson at free safety, but with some players who stepped in a year older and more experienced, “we should be more athletic this year.”
Adrian Saturley and Rich Johnson are fixtures on the D-line, and Lambert and head coach (and defensive coordinator) Jeff Cummins “are looking for the emergence of (sophomore) Jake Thomas as a real force this season.”
As well, the coaches are excited about Alex MacLean, whom Lambert describes as “a young Adrian Saturley.” MacLean has an Acadia legacy; his dad Scott and uncle Stuart both played on the 1981 Vanier Cup champions.
Wade Conrad and John Wilson will also be in the D-line mix for the Axemen, who expect to “use more of a rotation there this year.”
At linebacker, Tom Labenski, an all-conference selection last season, really came into his own in 2008 and assumed a leadership role.
Other returnees at linebacker include Taylor Shadgett, who should battle with Mike MacLeod for the middle linebacker position, and Ed McNally.
Recruits at the position include Andrew Rowe, the defensive player of the year in Nova Scotia high school football at Sir John A. Macdonald High, whom Lambert said should also have an impact on special teams, and Jarrett Laycock, another Nova Scotian who transferred in from Saint Mary’s.
Also in the mix is NKEC graduate Isaac Ueffing. Lambert sees him as “a potential game changer at SAM (strong side) linebacker” and who will be given the chance to grow into the position.
Ueffing, whom Lambert sees as one of the team’s up-and-coming players, will also be given the opportunity to contribute on special teams right away,
In the defensive backfield, Richardson, a perennial all-Canadian, will be difficult to replace, but the Axemen still have Najja Coley and Mike Miller, Matt Kassner and a couple of highly regarded recruits in Thomas Menzies from B.C. and Cameron Wade from Moncton.
Mike Godfrey returns to do the kicking, and likely at least some of the punting as well. Competing with Godfrey for punting duties will be “three or four guys,” including Kyle Graves, Andrew Rowe and maybe even Coley, a former soccer player in high school.
Coley and Devon Jones, a pair of outstanding open field runners, will likely get the bulk of the time returning punts and kickoffs.
Maybe a bit snakebitten: Lambert
Lambert said, “last year started off tough. We ended up 1-7 and while there were times we didn’t play all that well, we were better than a 1-7 team and were maybe a bit snakebitten at times.”
The Axemen open at home Sept. 12 against Mount Allison then host SMU the following week before traveling to Montreal for week three.
“We’re definitely looking for a better start than last year,” Lambert said. We feel we’ll be ready. Everything should be in place, and for a change there doesn’t seem to be a really dominant team in the AUFC this year, or a prohibitive favourite going in.
“It’s likely to be a week-by-week battle, and it’s a battle we feel we’re equipped for,” he said. “We’re looking for a really exciting and competitive season.”
BY JOHN DECOSTE
[email protected]
NovaNewsNow.com
The Acadia football Axemen weren’t as bad last year as their 1-7 conference record would suggest. Next weekend (Aug. 29), they will officially begin their quest to turn that record around.
The Axemen have lost some key players to graduation, particularly on the offensive line, but offensive coordinator Josh Lambert says the coaching staff is high on a number of recruits to fill the gaps.
“We feel we have some talent among our recruits, including some players who have transferred in from other schools,” Lambert said. “We’re looking for some of these guys to step in and make an immediate impact.”
The biggest need for the Axemen was on the O-line, where Steve Patrick, Curtis Taylor and three-time all-Canadian Adam Rogers, now with the CFL’s Edmonton Eskimos, all moved on.
On hand to help fill the gap is Roy Medeiros, a transfer from Bishop’s who will attend Acadia Divinity College.
The coaches are still working on another O-line transfer student who will be able to play right away.
“We have a couple of younger guys as well,” Lambert said, “but they aren’t as far along in their development.” Medeiros will join returning tackles Greg Kinsman and Greg Knight, with the centre position still to be determined based on who does what at camp.
QB poised for great year
At quarterback, Keith Lockwood enters his final season of eligibility and Lambert said the California native “is poised for a great year. He has shown great leadership over the summer, even while battling some injuries.”
Kyle Graves will back up Lockwood and the Axemen also recruited a pair of Nova Scotians, Evan Brown and Andrew Healy, both of whom come highly regarded at the quarterback position.
The backfield will feature 2008 impact rookie Nick Lauder at tailback, who “made the best of his opportunities” as an injury replacement last season and is, in Lambert’s view, ready for bigger and better things.
Zack Skibin, a highly regarded recruit from Edmonton, will get an opportunity to be part of the mix and hopefully make the same kind of impact Lauder did last year.
Devon Jones, a quick and exciting receiver as well as a force on special teams, “might be the top receiver in the conference,” and will lead the receiving corps. Will Tanner should start also, with Stu Clow, Jordan Beyea and Josh Pearsall also in the mix.
Taylor Renaud, another transfer from Bishop’s who can play right away, and Tristan Hercules, 6’1 or 6’2” and “a speed merchant,” are new faces at receiver. Hercules, Lambert said, has lots of potential. He is “still quite raw, but his speed should help make up for it.”
More athletic on ‘D’
On defense, the Axemen lost Jamie Johnson from the D-line and Elliott Richardson at free safety, but with some players who stepped in a year older and more experienced, “we should be more athletic this year.”
Adrian Saturley and Rich Johnson are fixtures on the D-line, and Lambert and head coach (and defensive coordinator) Jeff Cummins “are looking for the emergence of (sophomore) Jake Thomas as a real force this season.”
As well, the coaches are excited about Alex MacLean, whom Lambert describes as “a young Adrian Saturley.” MacLean has an Acadia legacy; his dad Scott and uncle Stuart both played on the 1981 Vanier Cup champions.
Wade Conrad and John Wilson will also be in the D-line mix for the Axemen, who expect to “use more of a rotation there this year.”
At linebacker, Tom Labenski, an all-conference selection last season, really came into his own in 2008 and assumed a leadership role.
Other returnees at linebacker include Taylor Shadgett, who should battle with Mike MacLeod for the middle linebacker position, and Ed McNally.
Recruits at the position include Andrew Rowe, the defensive player of the year in Nova Scotia high school football at Sir John A. Macdonald High, whom Lambert said should also have an impact on special teams, and Jarrett Laycock, another Nova Scotian who transferred in from Saint Mary’s.
Also in the mix is NKEC graduate Isaac Ueffing. Lambert sees him as “a potential game changer at SAM (strong side) linebacker” and who will be given the chance to grow into the position.
Ueffing, whom Lambert sees as one of the team’s up-and-coming players, will also be given the opportunity to contribute on special teams right away,
In the defensive backfield, Richardson, a perennial all-Canadian, will be difficult to replace, but the Axemen still have Najja Coley and Mike Miller, Matt Kassner and a couple of highly regarded recruits in Thomas Menzies from B.C. and Cameron Wade from Moncton.
Mike Godfrey returns to do the kicking, and likely at least some of the punting as well. Competing with Godfrey for punting duties will be “three or four guys,” including Kyle Graves, Andrew Rowe and maybe even Coley, a former soccer player in high school.
Coley and Devon Jones, a pair of outstanding open field runners, will likely get the bulk of the time returning punts and kickoffs.
Maybe a bit snakebitten: Lambert
Lambert said, “last year started off tough. We ended up 1-7 and while there were times we didn’t play all that well, we were better than a 1-7 team and were maybe a bit snakebitten at times.”
The Axemen open at home Sept. 12 against Mount Allison then host SMU the following week before traveling to Montreal for week three.
“We’re definitely looking for a better start than last year,” Lambert said. We feel we’ll be ready. Everything should be in place, and for a change there doesn’t seem to be a really dominant team in the AUFC this year, or a prohibitive favourite going in.
“It’s likely to be a week-by-week battle, and it’s a battle we feel we’re equipped for,” he said. “We’re looking for a really exciting and competitive season.”
