OUA announces 2014 Football All-Stars
HAMILTON, Ont. – In his final season of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football, Windsor Lancers quarterback Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.) etched his name at the top of the league’s record book, tying former Gee-Gees quarterback Josh Sacobie’s career touchdown passing record.
HAMILTON, Ont. – In his final season of Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football, Windsor Lancers quarterback Austin Kennedy (Windsor, Ont.) etched his name at the top of the league's record book, tying former Gee-Gees quarterback Josh Sacobie's career touchdown passing record.
Kennedy threw three touchdown passes in the final regular season game of his career against the Western Mustangs, tying Sacobie's career mark of 79. For the season, Kennedy ranked tied for third in OUA with 15 touchdown passes, and second in passing yards (2252), completions (164), and yards per game (281.5). For his strong play in leading the Lancers to their first home playoff game since 2006, Kennedy is named a first-team all-star for the first time in his career; he made the second-team in 2011 and 2012.
There was no receiver Kennedy enjoyed throwing to more throughout his career than Lancers inside receiver Evan Pszczonak (Amherstburg, Ont.). Also in his fifth and final season at Windsor, Pszczonak caught seven touchdown passes in 2014, averaging 101.4 yards per game in the seven games he appeared in this season, and joins Kennedy on the first-team all-star roster. It is his second consecutive first-team selection.
Rounding out the first-team selections for the inside receiver position is the McMaster Marauders lone first-team all-star on offence, Daniel Vandervoort (Barrie, Ont.). Last season's OUA Rookie of the Year was the number-one receiving option on one of the best teams in the country, catching 44 passes for 683 yards and five touchdowns.
While most associate Carleton Ravens wide receiver Nathaniel Behar (London, Ont.) with his miraculous game-winning catch in the Panda Game, the second-year wide out put together a great all-round season and is named a first-team all-star for the first time in his OUA career. Behar finished second in the league with 837 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions, leading the way on a drastically improved Carleton Ravens offence.
Toronto Varsity Blues wide receiver Llevi Noel (Toronto, Ont.) led OUA with 126.3 yards per game, and caught 49 passes for 758 yards and four touchdowns in the six games he played. He is a first-team all-star for the first time in his career and is Toronto's lone all-star in 2014.
At the running back position, Laurier's Dillon Campbell (Whitby, Ont.) and Western's Yannick Harou (Gatineau, Que.) are this year's first-team selections.
Campbell put together a season for the ages, becoming just the second player in OUA history to rush for 1400+ yards. His 1458 rushing yards were the third most ever by an OUA running back, trailing only the historical 2003 and 2004 seasons put together by former Marauder running back Jesse Lumsden. Along with leading Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) in rushing yards, Campbell also led in rushing touchdowns with 13, and was a big reason Laurier made a playoff appearance after a 1-7 season. Campbell was named a second-team all-star in 2013 and led OUA in rushing for the second consecutive season.
Despite splitting carries with former first-team all-star Garrett Sanvido, Harou finished sixth in the league with 680 rushing yards and found the end zone four times in 2014. The 680 yards – an average of 85 per game – was a career high for Harou, as was his 8.1 yards per carry.
Given the success of the team's running game, it's no surprise to see two Western Mustang offensive linemen on the first all-star team. Guard Sean Jamieson (Winnipeg, Man.) and offensive tackle Eddie Meredith (Toronto, Ont.) anchored one of the best offensive lines in the country as Western averaged an eye-popping 341.2 rushing yards per game and led the league in points scored for a second consecutive season.
Laurier guard Tommy Griffiths (Richmond Hill, Ont.) has been named a first-team all-star for his strong play on an offensive line that cleared lanes for Campbell and finished second in the conference in rushing yards.
Two Guelph Gryphons round out the first-team selections on the offensive line. Centre Matthew Nesbitt (London, Ont.) and offensive tackle Matthew Toppan (Oakville, Ont.) are both first-team selections for the first time in their careers, and were key parts of an offence that ranked second in OUA.
For the second year in a row, the Western Mustangs are sending a league-high four players to the defensive first all-star team.
Western defensive tackle Daryl Waud (Hamilton, Ont.) is making a third consecutive appearance on the first all-star team. Expected to be a top pick in the upcoming CFL draft, Waud was once again a nightmare for offensive lineman, often requiring offences to focus solely on him, opening up opportunities for his Mustang defensive teammates. He recorded 14.5 tackles and three sacks this season.
Joining him on the first-team from Western is defensive end Ricky Osei-Kusi (Brampton, Ont.), linebacker Preston Huggins (London, Ont.) and cornerback Josh Woodman (Chatham, Ont.).
Osei-Kusi led the team with 4.5 sacks and finished second on the team with 30 tackles. He also finished tied for third in OUA with 10.5 tackles for a loss.
Having graduated one of the best linebacking cores in school history, Huggins stepped up in a huge way in 2014 leading the team with 33 tackles and recording one sack.
Woodman led OUA with five interceptions this season, accounting for almost half of Western's 11 picks this year. The Mustangs finished second in OUA with 11 interceptions, led the league with 25 sacks and allowed just 19 points per game, second fewest in OUA.
The Guelph Gryphons are well-represented on the defensive first-team with three players chosen.
Named to the second-team last season, defensive tackle Cameron Walker (London, Ont.) continued to improve, finishing fifth in the league with 10.5 tackles for a loss, recorded a team-leading five sacks, and 37.5 tackles.
Linebacker Curtis Newton (London, Ont.) put together a superb all-round season for the Gryphons. Tying for the league lead in tackles with 49, Newton added one sack, 3.5 tackles for a loss, and one interception.
Free safety Tristan Doughlin (Toronto, Ont.) rounds out Guelph's first-team selections. Appearing in just six games, Doughlin still managed 34 tackles and two interceptions this season.
The McMaster Marauders allowed the fewest points in the league, and the league's best defence was led by SAM linebacker Nick Shortill (Nobleton, Ont.). A second-team all-star in 2012, Shortill ranked 10th in OUA averaging 5.7 tackles per game, for a team-leading season total of 40 in the seven games he played. He also had 2.5 sacks, five tackles for a loss, and one interception.
A first-team all-star in 2012, cornerback Joey Cupido (Hamilton, Ont.) is once again representing the Marauders on the first-team list. The shutdown cornerback was almost impossible for quarterbacks to target, and finished the year with two interceptions, three pass breakups, and 21 tackles.
Last year's CIS leader in sacks was up to his usual tricks in 2014. Ottawa Gee-Gees defensive tackle Ettore Lattanzio (Nepean, Ont.) once again led OUA in sacks with eight and is a first-team all-star for the second consecutive season. He is Ottawa's only first-team all-star this season.
At the defensive halfback position, Laurier's Chris Ackie (Cambridge, Ont.) and Carleton's Nathaniel Hamlin (Ottawa, Ont.) have been selected as first-team all-stars.
Ackie ranked seventh in OUA with 48.5 tackles, while Hamlin finished third in the category with 54.5. Both recorded one interception this season.
On special teams, it was a record-setting season for McMaster's Tyler Crapigna (Nepean, Ont.) who broke both the OUA and CIS career field goal record. Crapigna kicked his record-setting 83rd career field goal on Oct. 18 in a win against Laurier. He also bested the previous OUA single-season record of 22 field goals, however, the record is currently held by Guelph's kicker and second-team all-star Daniel Ferraro (Mississauga, Ont.) who finished 2014 with 26 field goals.
Laurier's punter Ronnie Pfeffer (Kitchener, Ont.) and Western's Zach Medeiros (St. Thomas, Ont.) finished 1-2 in punting average this season, and have been named to the first and second-team, respectively. Pfeffer averaged 42.2 yards per punt, while Medeiros averaged 39.7.
Guelph kick and punt returner Ryan Nieuwesteeg (Niagara Falls, Ont.) is a first-team all-star after leading OUA in both kick and punt return yards. He combined for 1247 return yards including two punt returns for a touchdown.
The special teams rush cover all-stars are Guelph's Fraser Speakman (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) on the first-team, and Alex Maj (Burlington, Ont.) from Western on the second-team.
Making the OUA second-team all-star roster is 2013 league MVP Will Finch (Burlington, Ont.). The Mustangs quarterback threw for 1756 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games this season.
Queen's Jesse Andrews (Arnprior, Ont.) and Guelph's Rob Farquharson (Niagara Falls, Ont.) are the second-team running backs. The pair ranked 2-3 behind Dillon Campbell in rushing yards per game; Andrews averaged 127 while Farquharson averaged 108.5.
At inside receiver, Queen's Alex Carroll (Victoria, B.C.) and Guelph's Alex Charette (St. Catharines, Ont.) are second-team all-stars. Caroll finished second in the league averaging 109 yards per game and led the league with 52 receptions and eight touchdowns, and was also named to the second-team all-star roster as a kick and punt returner. Charette tied for second in the league with 49 receptions, averaged 70.9 yards per game, and finished fourth in OUA with six touchdown receptions.
The Gaels and Gryphons also comprise the second-team wide receivers. From Guelph, A'Dre Fraser (Halifax, N.S.) gets second-team honours after finishing fifth in OUA with 100.2 yards per game. Queen's Doug Corby (Burlington, Ont.) averaged 69.4 yards per game and scored four touchdowns to make the second-team.
The second-team centre is Matt Van Praet (London, Ont.) from Western, at guard McMaster's Zach Intzandt (London, Ont.) and Guelph's Cameron Wilhelm (Kitchener, Ont.) get second team honours, and offensive tackles Sean Smith (St. Andrews West, Ont.) from McMaster and Adam Valchuk (Stoney Creek, Ont.) from Ottawa round out the second-team offensive line choices.
Queen's defensive tackle Derek Wiggan (Toronto, Ont.) ranked fourth in OUA with 5.5 sacks and is a second-team all-star, as is Windsor's Tai Pham (London, Ont.) who recorded 3.5 sacks and 6.5 tackles for a loss.
At defensive end, Laurier's Ese Mrabure-Ajufo (Mississauga, Ont.) and McMaster's Michael Kashak (Courtice, Ont.) are second team all-stars. Marbure-Ajufo finished tied for third in the league with 10.5 tackles for a loss. Kashak had 2.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss.
Ottawa linebacker Nick Lecour (Ottawa, Ont.) finished fifth in OUA with 49.5 tackles and is a second-team all-star. He is joined by Windsor's Frank Renaud (Windsor, Ont.) who recorded a team-leading 36 tackles.
Phil N'Djore (Gatineau, Que.) of Western finished third on his team with 28 tackles and added two sacks to be named a second-team all-star at the SAM linebacker position.
Cornerbacks Tunde Adeleke (Ottawa, Ont.) from Carleton and Colin Mandich (London, Ont.) from Guelph are second-team all-stars at cornerback. Adeleke finished third on Carleton with 42 tackles and added two interceptions. Mandich recorded 22.5 tackles, two interceptions, and broke up seven passes in seven games this season.
At defensive halfback, McMaster's Scott Martin (London, Ont.) and Western's Kalvin Johnson (Brampton, Ont.) are second-team all-stars. Martin recorded three sacks and 11.5 tackles, while Johnson had 16 tackles and two interceptions.
Ben Millar (Campbellville, Ont.) from Laurier is the second-team free safety after putting together a season of 28.5 tackles and one interception.
The 2014 OUA football major award winners will be announced at 11 a.m. ET on Nov. 13 at a press conference in Hamilton, Ont.
OUA ALL-STARS
FIRST-TEAM OFFENCE
Quarterback: Austin Kennedy – Windsor
Centre: Matthew Nesbitt – Guelph
Guard: Sean Jamieson – Western
Guard: Tommy Griffiths – Laurier
Offensive Tackle: Eddie Meredith – Western
Offensive Tackle: Matthew Toppan – Guelph
Inside Receiver: Daniel Vandervoort – McMaster
Inside Receiver: Evan Pszczonak – Windsor
Wide Receiver: Nathaniel Behar – Carleton
Wide Receiver: Llevi Noel – Toronto
Running Back: Dillon Campbell – Laurier
Running Back: Yannick Harou – Western
Punter: Ronnie Pfeffer – Laurier
Place Kicker: Tyler Crapigna – McMaster
Kick Returner: Ryan Nieuwesteeg - Guelph
FIRST-TEAM DEFENCE
Defensive Tackle: Daryl Waud – Western
Defensive Tackle: Ettore Lattanzio – Ottawa
Defensive End: Ricky Osei-Kusi – Western
Defensive End: Cameron Walker – Guelph
Linebacker: Curtis Newton – Guelph
Linebacker: Preston Huggins – Western
SAM Linebacker: Nick Shortill – McMaster
Cornerback: Joey Cupido – McMaster
Cornerback: Josh Woodman – Western
Defensive Halfback: Chris Ackie – Laurier
Defensive Halfback: Nathaniel Hamlin – Carleton
Free Safety: Tristan Doughlin – Guelph
Rush/Cover: Fraser Speakman – Guelph
SECOND-TEAM OFFENCE
Quarterback: Will Finch – Western
Centre: Matt Van Praet – Western
Guard: Zach Intzandt – McMaster
Guard: Cam Wilhelm – Guelph
Offensive Tackle: Sean Smith – McMaster
Offensive Tackle: Adam Valchuk – Ottawa
Inside Receiver: Alex Carroll – Queen's
Inside Receiver: Alex Charette – Guelph
Wide Receiver: A'Dre Fraser – Guelph
Wide Receiver: Doug Corby – Queen's
Running Back: Rob Farquharson – Guelph
Running Back: Jesse Andrews – Queen's
Punter: Zach Medeiros – Western
Place Kicker: Daniel Ferraro – Guelph
Kick Returner: Alex Carroll – Queen's
SECOND-TEAM DEFENCE
Defensive Tackle: Derek Wiggan – Queen's
Defensive Tackle: Tai Pham – Windsor
Defensive End: Ese Mrabure-Ajufo – Laurier
Defensive End: Mike Kashak – McMaster
Linebacker: Frank Renaud – Windsor
Linebacker: Nick Lecour – Ottawa
SAM Linebacker: Phil N'Djore – Western
Cornerback: Colin Mandich – Guelph
Cornerback: Tunde Adeleke – Carleton
Defensive Halfback: Scott Martin – McMaster
Defensive Halfback: Kalvin Johnson – Western
Free Safety: Ben Millar – Laurier
Rush/Cover: Alex Maj - Western
