Will Finch, Western Mustangs / Photo credit Samantha Fischer

May 8, 2015

Three-Point Conversion with Marshall Ferguson: East-West Bowl Day 3

Marshall Ferguson

Marshall Ferguson is a graduate of McMaster University where he spent five years as Quarterback of the Marauders. He now hosts and produces OUA Today, a daily sports talk radio show covering all things OUA and CIS while working towards a career in broadcasting.

Follow him on Twitter @Marsh2Fergs

Live from Percival Molson Stadium throughout the week, CIS Insider Marshall Ferguson brings you his three thoughts after every practice leading up to the 13th annual CIS East-West Bowl Saturday May 9th from McGill.

1. Laval Being Laval

The Rouge Et Or have sent their usual pack of high level competitive athletes to the 2015 CIS East-West Bowl. The group is highlighted by a trio of offensive lineman. It would make sense to call Philippe Gagnon, Charles Vaillancourt and Jason Lauzon-Séguin the triplets if their accumulated height and weight didn't signify they are more likely hiding an extra punter somewhere in their pads.

The groups average frame measures in at a staggering 6’6, 310 pounds. AVERAGE. This includes the tallest lineman at the East-West Bowl Philippe Gagnon at 6’8 and the bulldozer of the first two days Charles Vaillancourt who tops the scales at 325 pounds.

Vaillancourt has been exceptional all week in pass protection one on ones and creating movement during inside run periods. Expect to see Team East rely on the run game Saturday afternoon clearing massive running lanes for talented Bishop’s running back Vincent Davignon as they have all week.

2. High School Reunions

Certain cities high school loops just seem to have it figured out. The city of Burlington, Ontario is indeed one of those cities. With a seemingly endless list of notable Canadian football alumni including but not limited to Jesse Lumsden, Stefan Ptaszek, and Jon Behie, Burlington has once again sent a large enough contingent of alumni to the East-West bowl to call themselves a CIS school.

Western Mustangs Quarterback Will Finch, Queens Gaels Receiver Doug Corby and Calgary Dinos Running Back Mercer Timmis have all found their way to Montreal after exceptional CIS careers to date. The three former Burlingtonians will look to play major roles on Saturday afternoon, and the funnest pairing expects to be Finch and Timmis sharing a backfield for Team West.

The Burlington trio are not the only reunion taking place in Montreal. Alberta Golden Bears K/P Stephen Fabian and Calgary Dinos defensive back Cyril Iwanegbe played basketball and football at St. Joe’s Collegiate and Brooks Composite High School not long ago in Brooks, Alberta.

Western Mustangs Quarterback Will Finch, Queens Gaels Receiver Doug Corby and Calgary Dinos Running Back Mercer Timmis have all found their way to Montreal after exceptional CIS careers to date. The three former Lords will look to play major roles on Saturday afternoon, and the funnest pairing expects to be Finch and Timmis once again sharing a backfield for Team West after a three year absence.

3. A Class Above

For the first time at the 2015 CIS East-West Bowl there was live East vs. West action during a crossover period in the second practice of the day. There was no 12-on-12 as both teams coaches decided it was best to save the goods for Saturday, but that didn’t stop inside run, pass skeleton and 1-on-1s from getting heated.

Will Finch absolutely dominated during wide receiver-defensive back 1-on-1s. Finch hit pass after pass after pass including a series which included a deep corner shot with great arc and timing, a 15 yard in which the receiver had the ball in his hands as he came out of his break and an 18 yard comeback which Will fit into an opening about the size of a Canada Post community mailbox slot.

While Finch showed he more than belongs in the conversation of best player at this years bowl game there were other fascinating moments. Calgary Dinos Defensive Back Eli Bouka who hails from nearby Laval, Quebec made the curious decision to wander away from crossover period smelly as a DB in favour of running a route against the Team East Defensive backs. What ensued was Bouka undressing a Team East Defensive Back (who shall remain nameless) so badly on a stutter go and out that everyone watching felt as though they should be placed in witness protection. Bouka sauntered back to the defensive side of the field without saying a word.

Follow him on Twitter @Marsh2Fergs