2011 Western Mustangs Team Preview

Source: Western Sports Info

2010 regular season record: 7-1
2010 regular season standings: 2nd in OUA
2010 playoff record: 2-1
2010 playoff finish: Yates Cup Champions; lost 13-11 in Uteck Bowl to Laval

The Western Mustangs look to build on their 2010 season that saw them reach the Uteck Bowl. With a solid group of veterans mixed with a promising recruiting class this year’s edition of the Western football squad has high expectations.

Last year, despite the transition losing Mustangs legend Michael Faulds, the team was able to make a deep run into the playoffs. The transition towards a more balanced attack was smooth. The Mustangs were able to win the Yates Cup in Ottawa over the GeeGees with a last second field goal by kicker Lirim Hajrullahu.

Donnie Marshall returns to the fold as the starting quarterback. Nathan Riva combined with Jerimy Hipperson will provide a one-two punch in the backfield. The offense will again look to provide a lot of scoring.

Defensively, Mike Van Praet leads a stout defensive line with a token of getting after the quarterback. Speedy defensive end David Lee returns for a fourth season alongside veteran Brent Wheeler. Pawel Kruba leads the talented linebacking corps.

Western boasts the top recruiting class in the nation which will surely spark excitement throughout the Western faithful. The Mustangs have added talent on both sides of the ball. They were able to add running back Tyler Varga who many considered the top in Canada. Defensively, the Mustangs added one of the top linemen in Daryl Waud and linebacker Byron Perez-Archambault from powerhouse Vanier College.

The team aims to continue their solid play stemming from last season’s playoff run. With veteran quarterback Donnie Marshall having a year under his belt as a starter, combined with a large group of veterans returning, the prospects are very exciting for the 2011 edition of the Western Mustangs.

Quote from head coach:

“We are excited about the prospects for this upcoming season.  We return with a very experienced group of veterans and have some outstanding recruits, which will make for a competitive training camp.  The OUA will be a very balanced conference and we open with Waterloo, McMaster and then Laurier so we need to come out of training camp ready to compete at our best.  Our team is balanced and we gained a lot of experience last season that I expect will help us this year.”

Head Coach: Greg Marshall

Number of seasons as head coach with team: 5 (including 2011)
Number of seasons as head coach in CIS: 12 (including 2011)
Career regular season record with team: 24-8
Career regular season record in CIS: 66-20-2
Career overall record with team: 36-12 (reg. season & playoffs only)
Career overall record in CIS: 89-30-2 (reg. season & playoffs only)

OFFENCE

Number of returning starters: 9

Key returning players: Donnie Marshall returns as the starter for the second season. Matt Norman and Greg Wilson anchor the offensive line once again. Nathan Riva and Jerimy Hipperson will once again be in the backfield. Tough slotback Zach Bull will be leading the underrated receiving corps.

Key recruits (or newcomers/transfers): Tyler Varga, the top rated running back in the nation by Canada Football Chat, committed to Western over full rides from Baylor and Dartmouth. He will contribute immediately in the already talented backfield. James Sifakis, a fullback from CEGEP Vanier College, will compete for time in the backfield. He played for Marshall’s Team World in 2010. Offensive lineman Winston Miles will come in and compete right away for playing time. He suited up for Team World last winter and previously played at a prep school in Georgia.

Key losses: Josh Buttrill, a 2010 OUA All-Star at left tackle has graduated. Slotbacks Mike Hegarty and Nick Pasic have moved on as well.

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: 6

Key returning players: Nose tackle Mike Van Praet leads a very talented defensive line. It will be his fourth season as the starter. Brent Wheeler and David Lee are also back helping to anchor the front line of defense. Pawel Kruba leads a deep group in the linebacking corps while corner Jamie Symianick returns to start for his third season.

Key recruits (or newcomers/transfers): Western recruited a few of arguably the best players in the country. Defensive lineman Daryl Waud out of Sir Allan MacNab in Hamilton will make an immediate impact in the front four. Byron Perez-Archambault, the top linebacker in Montreal played at Vanier College. He decommitted from Laval to attend Western. Look for him to play immediately. In the secondary, Kalvin Johnson who played for Mickey Donovan for Team Ontario in 2010 will compete immediately for playing time.

Key losses: Western loses a few players to graduation and to the CFL. Gone are defensive end Alexander Robinson, middle linebacker John Surla and multi-positional star Craig Butler.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:  Kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, punter Darryl Wheeler

Key recruits (or newcomers/transfers): Nick Riva, brother of Nathan Riva and former St. Francis Xavier player, will compete and compete right away in the secondary. As well, former Xmen wide receiver Peter Giankopolous will made an impact on offense.

Key losses: Linebacker/longsnapper John Surla, defensive back/ punt returner Craig Butler