2 - of College Football Games

A healthy Zach Bull (Port Colborne,
Ont.) also returns along with sophomores
Tremblay, Nick Trevail (London, Ont.),
Nick Pasic (London, Ont.) and Scott
Janz (Winnipeg, Man.). Other receivers
entering camp with potential included
Ryan McCarthy (Burlington, Ont.),
McCartney Sealey (USA) and Zanth
Jarvis (Oshawa, Ont.).
OFFEnSIVE LInE
Despite the graduation of tackle Richard
Zulys (property of Toronto Argonauts),
Western will still be deep at the offensive
position - something Marshall knows is
critical to success in Bowl games.
Guard Matt Norman (Montreal) and
versatile lineman Ahmad Jaradat
(London, Ont.) return for their
sophomore seasons, while Andy Rady
(London, Ont.) enrolled in Law School
and returns as a fifth-year presence
along with Toronto Argonauts draft pick
Zach Pollari (Guelph, Ont.).
“Pollari has taken that next step,”
Marshall said. “Our offensive line is
close to where we need to be... (But) we
need to protect Michael better.”
Freshman Shane Bergman (Waterford,
Ont.) is expected to challenge for a
starting spot on the line and could be
the prize recruit. At 6’7, 365 lbs., and
nicknamed “the Canadian Shield” by
7
2009-10 Season Outlook
s t r e n g t h
and conditioning coach Jeff Watson,
he has caught the attention of many
already running a 5.4, 40-yard dash,
and benching 23 times at 225 pounds.
Lineman coach Chris Bertoia, who
comes home to London, Ont., after
spending time at St. Francis Xavier,
is excited about other recruits as well
adding depth to the line spots.
DEFEnCE
DEFEnSIVE LInE
With Vaughn Martin (London, Ont.)
declaring as an underclassman for the
NFL Draft and gone to the San Diego
Chargers in the off-season, Marshall’s
biggest concern is filling his spot.
In particular, Marshall is anxious
about what the squad will do to fill the
defensive end role. Incoming Ottawa
native Scott Fournier, a product of the
St. Mark’s program, could fill the void.
“The loss of Vaughn Martin leaves a big
hole,” Marshall said. “But truthfully we
don’t have a lot of depth at the defensive
end spot. We may have to move some
guys out there and try them out there
and see (what happens).”
Chris Greaves (Mississauga, Ont.) will
be a leader on the line, while Mike Van
Praet (London, Ont.) is back after a
strong rookie year.
Marshall said he may also look to move
linebacker David Lee (London, Ont.) to
the defensive end position. Freshman
Mitchell Bec (Chestermere, Alta.)
and sophomore Alexander Robinson
(Vancouver, B.C.) could also fight for a
starting spot.
LInEBACKERS
Led by junior middle linebacker John
Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.) the Mustangs
are solid in the middle of the field.
Adrian Kaiser (London, Ont.), who took
advantage of the departure of Jason
Kosec in 2008, emerged as a suprise
success story at the outside, weak-side
linebacker spot.
“He just got better and better,” Marshall
said. “He was a very important player
throughout the late part of the regular
season and our playoff run.”
With Jonathan Hood graduated, a hole
remains at the other outside - or strong
side - linebacker spot. Marshall expects
steadily improving Conor Elliot could be
the starter.
Burlington, Ont., freshman Jared
McCrory and sophomores Ben Bahrami
(Vancouver, B.C.) and Andrew Buzzeo
(Windsor, Ont.) provide depth.
DEFEnSIVE BACKS
Losing two players expected to be in
the mix with Harold Mutobola, who was
injured in the off-season, and Kenny
Mwangi, Western isn’t as deep as they
expected to be at the start of 2009.
Graduated safety Matt Carapella and
defensive backs Corey McNair and
Andrew Bain will force the Mustangs to
put some younger players into starting
roles.
Marshall is confident Craig Butler
(London, Ont.) will be able to fill in
immediately for Carapella at safety.
“We only have one of him though,”
Marshall said.
Burlington, Ont., native Mike Spence
may also be able to slide back into the
safety spot or as a defensive back in
some situations.
Aaron Handsor (Chatham, Ont.) is
expected to fight for a starting role,
beginning camp well with strong test
results. Cory Watson (London, Ont.)
returns for a fifth season along with
2008-McMaster transfer Josh Foster
(London, Ont.)
“Down the stretch, he became our
shutdown corner,” Marshall said of
Foster, whom he recruited to McMaster
just prior to his hire with the Hamilton
Tiger-Cats of the CFL.
Vanier College product Jamie Symianick
(Montreal) will join his former teammate
Matthew Norman with the Mustangs
this season. Marshall expects him to
fight for a starting role as well.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Reliable kicker and punter Darryl
Wheeler (Hamilton, Ont.) has been
training hard in the off-season and
appears to be the incumbent but will be
tested by St. Catharines, Ont., kicker
Lirim Hajrullahu who was named to
the all-star team at the World Junior
Football Championships after starring
for Team Canada in Canton, Ohio, in
July (a team with Mustangs special
teams coordinator Mickey Donovan
coaching him).
The list of kick and punt returners will
include Craig Butler, Ryan Tremblay
and Nathan Riva and McCathey Sealey,
while linebacker John Surla is a menace
on special teams tackles.