2011 CIS Football Team Preview: Acadia Axemen

Eric Cederberg, Acadia Sports Info

2010 regular season record: 4-4
2010 regular season standings: Third Place finish in the AUS
2010 playoff record: 1-1
2010 playoff finish: 37-8 loss to Saint Mary’s in AUS conference final

Despite a surplus of injuries last season, Acadia completed the 2010 season on a positive note after posting a 4-4 record.

Opening the season with a convincing 17-7 win against the #4 CIS ranked Saint Mary’s Huskies, the Axemen cracked the CIS Top Ten in week two, only to slide to a 2-2 record at the mid-season mark at the hands of Bishop’s in interlock play and a revenge loss to the Huskies.

In post season play, the Axemen traveled to Sackville, NB to challenge the Mount Allison Mounties for the right to play in the AUS football conference championship game and challenge they did.

Following a quadruple overtime conference semi-final game in the worst of field and weather conditions, the Axemen prevailed with a 22-14 victory.

In spite of a less than positive outcome in the championship game, the Axemen are optimistic this season with 22 of 24 starters returning this season along with a talented recruiting class of 2011.

Quote from head coach Jeff Cummins:

“We are excited to get this season under way and believe we have the returning players to compete against any team in the country. Our offensive unit returns in its entirety and we believe Kyle Graves (fourth year quarterback) will be one of the top pivots in the CIS.

Defensively, our front seven will be relentless and led by AUS All-Star players Jake Thomas and Tom Labenski.

The family atmosphere established amongst our returning players is like our championship teams of 2005 and 2006 and I believe we will make a legitimate threat to the incumbent AUS Champions”.    

Head Coach:

- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2011): 9
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2011): 9
- Career regular season record with team: 29-35
- Career regular season record in CIS: 29-35
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 33-43
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 33-43

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 12

Key returning players: 

QB Kyle Graves 4th year  Barrie ON
2nd season as staring QB
2010 3rd in AUS in total offence

RB Brett Haeni 4th year Springwater ON
3 year starter ay both FB and TB
Bruising, punishing runner

Wade Conrad 4th year Barrie ON
2010 AUS all star OL in 1st season moving to the offensive side of the ball
Huge frame and athletisim will make him a force anchoring the OL

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

Jordan Welte – Running back – 6'1”, 235 lbs. – Bishop Gorman H.S. (Las Vegas, NV)
A great pick-up for the Axemen, Welte was ranked fourth by ESPN of High School graduates in the class of 2011 after helping lead the Bishop Gorman Gaels to back-to-back state titles in 2009 and 2010. Jordan made a name for himself as a hard nose run blocker, but is equally skilled when carrying the ball. Jordan will have an immediate impact in 2011

Terrence Mendes – Offensive / Defensive Line, 6’1’, 300 lbs. – Citadel H.S. / Team Nova Scotia (Halifax, N.S.)
Mendes is an aggressive and athletic linemen who showed this past season that he can play on both sides of the ball. A member of the power house Citadel Phoenix, Mendes helped them to three consecutive Nova Scotia provincial championships. He was also a member of Team Nova Scotia that took part in the Canada Cup last summer hosted at Acadia University. Terrence is expected to play on the offensive side of the ball this coming season. His athleticism and ability to play multiple positions will give him an opportunity to make an immediate impact.

Matt Marner – Offensive line, 6'3”, 290 lbs. – University of Toronto Transfer/Iroquois Ridge H.S. (Oakville, Ont.)
Matt will be transferring to Acadia after attending the University of Toronto last year. Marner was named the Lineman of the Year for the Halton Cowboys of the Ontario Varsity Football League in 2009 and was an Adams Conference All-Star in 2010. Matt has the experience and toughness to come in and compete for playing time on an Acadia offensive line that returns all five starters.

Key losses: None

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 10

Key returning players:

Tom Labenski- 5th Oakville ON
2 time Aus all star
2010 AUS tackle leader 2nd in the CIS tackles

Jake Thomas- 4th year Fredricton NB
2010 AUS all star
Powerful explosive of the ball
May be the most dominant DL man in the AUS

Cameron  Wade- 3rd Moncton NB
2010 AUS all star
3rd in AUS
Extremely athletic and rangy
Extremely high football IQ

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

Drew Morris – Linebacker, 6’1”, 230 lbs. - Ottawa Sooners / Team World (Ottawa, Ont.)
Drew is one of the top linebackers prospects in Canada for the class of 2011. A member of the World Team that played against Team America at the 2010 Super Bowl, Morris was also named the Ontario Football Conference Rookie of the Year while playing for the Ottawa Sooners. A complete linebacker who has speed, size, physicality and intelligence, Drew will be an integral part of the Axemen defense in the coming years.

Tyrone“TJ”Bromfield–Linebacker,5'10”,205lbs.–St.Patrick'sH.S.(Ottawa,Ont.)
Bromfield is a true sideline to sideline linebacker whose speed, athleticism, and aggressiveness make him difficult to deal with in space and coming off the edge. TJ was the starting middle backer for the varsity Cumberland Panthers who lost in the OVFL finals.

JesseSt.James-DT6’2”250(St-Lazare,QC)
A powerful and athletic interior defensive linemen, Jesse has the ability to play on the edge. Jesse is coming off a stellar season at Vanier CEGEP, where he helped his team capture the 2010 B’ol Dor AAA championship. Jesse is expected to compete for playing time early in his career.

Key losses: Adrian Saturley, Naja Coley

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):

RyanBegin-K/P5’10”195(Orleans,ON)
Ryan brings a powerful and accurate leg to the Axemen, and has the ability to both place kick and punt. Ryan was instrumental in helping the Ottawa Cumberland Panthers reach the 2010 OVFL championship, kicking 14 field goals. Ryan fills a big need for the Axemen and will compete for both kicking and punting duties immediately.