Call it in the air : Windsor Lancers season preview

By Michael Hugall

As the 2015 season approaches the University of Windsor Lancers football program will have its hands full as they quest for an Ontario University Athletics conference championship.

The previous season saw the Lancers as a prized contender for the OUA Yates Cup. Led by now-graduated quarterback Austin Kennedy, Windsor played to a 5-3 record which included wins against perennial powerhouses such as the Queen’s Gaels (game was won via forfeit) and the  Ottawa Gee-Gee’s. Also, a last minute victory against rival Laurier.

However, after winning four straight games to start the season the Lancers dropped three of their next four, failing to reach the 30 point plateau in either contest before losing to the Gee Gee’s in the first round of the playoffs 46-29.

After a “disappointing” end to last season head coach Joe D’Amore is confident that the Lancers can still continue the streak of four straight playoff appearances.

“It’s a new team, a new chapter in the book,” said D’Amore. “The aspiration is always to get to the Yates cup… but for us the goal is just to get to host a home playoff game here.”

Newly appointed offensive coordinator Dan Lumley has a tough task on his hands as he will need to command an offensive without Austin Kennedy, who threw for 10,004 yards and 79 touchdowns in his Lancer career. As well as wide receiver Evan Pszczonak who leaves the program totalling over 2,500 yards and hauling in 26 touchdowns. These are numbers that will need to be reciprocated by returning veterans and fresh-faced rookies, in order to continue the streak of four straight playoff apperances.

“It was really important to bring in a quarterback guy,” said D’Amore. “He has brought in a fresh look and different ideas which have worked so far.”

Lumley said that by adding players to the roster like Jayden Gauthier and Marcus Kentner, it provides the offence with more athleticism. Both played for Dan Lumley at W.F. Herman secondary school, winning an Ontario Federation Secondary School Athletics championship.

One returning player the coaching staff is anxious to see on the field is wide receiver Beau Lumley. Beau is also a graduate of Herman and is in his third year with the program. He has already made an impression on the league, being named a finalist in OUA cover search. Lumley garnered much support on social media as many players, coaches and even fans used the hashtag #OUA15Lumley to cast their votes.

However, the internet accreditation is not enough to take Lumley’s head away from the task at hand, the Yates Cup.

“I think what i have that separates me from everyone else is my attitude on and off the field,” said Beau. “I’m hoping that this winning attitude can wear off on everyone so we can establish it going forward.”

Being a natural running back Beau said it wasn’t a big transition to wide receiver. Beau said that he always idolized the position.

“I always thought my athletic ability would be noticed at the next level,” said Beau. “ I love the style of  the position and with running back being a bit gruelling I think my career will last longer at (wide) receiver.”

To replace Kennedy, the Lancers have a few options at the quarterback position. Third year veteran Casey Wright seems to be lock for the opening day starter. Wright completed three of eight passes thrown, averaging nine point one yards per completion.

However, rookie quarterback Liam Putt from Caledonia, Ont. was one of the nation’s top recruits, having played in the off season with the Hamilton Hurricanes of the Ontario Football Conference. Putt also represented Canada at the 2014 National Championship in Kuwait and provides a versatile offensive arsenal that one could compare to Austin Kennedy.

“I consider myself a pocket-passer,” said Putt. “ No matter what coach decides, I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed.”

Other local recruits include offensive lineman Devin Desjardins and Holy Names Knights defensive lineman Colin Lesperance.

The Lancers begin the season without key playmakers on the defensive front seven. With Stephon Miller and Tai Pham having graduated, and stand-out weak-side linebacker Frank Renaud still suffering from a torn ACL, the Lancers will need to be even more effective in rushing the passer and stuffing the run.

Despite the departures on the defensive side of the football, defensive coordinator Donovan Carter still feels confident in the athleticism.

“We are a young team, but we are still very athletic,” said Carter. “Some of our leaders this year aren’t vocal guys but if they lead by example and take advantage of breaks then the leaders can definitely step up.”

In the secondary, the Lancers provide a young core of players led by St. Anne’s graduate Tarik Bonas and former Alpha Kai Omega (AKO) Fratman Austin Crumb. These two players who will need to compensate for the loss of Josh Burns (drafted to the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League) and safety Louis Polyzois (now a Lancers coach).

“We just have to be nasty,” said Crumb. “We are still D(efensive) B(ack) U(niversity).”

Defensive back university is the term used by schools and analysts because of the high rate of players who graduate from the program to play in the CFL. Other former backs include Daryl Townsend and Matt McGarva.

The OUA season begins August 30^th when the Lancers take on the University of Western Mustangs at Alumni Field, a game that will determine just how far the team has come since training camp.

The Lancers season is comparable to a coin toss. On one side you have a motivated and athletic group with experienced coaching and a strong offensive line. On the other you have a new offensive system with last year’s back-up quarterback and an unproven defensive front.

In order to accurately predict where the Lancers football team will be at the end of the season, (much like the officials say at the beginning of the game), “call it in the air.”