August 29, 2006
2006 OUA FOOTBALL PREVIEW
HAMILTON - Status quo is the best way to describe the OUA football power structure in recent years. The defending Vanier Cup champion Laurier Golden Hawks, on the heels of two straight Yates Cup championships and two consecutive undefeated regular seasons, have been firmly entrenched at the top of the conference heap, a spot they wrestled away from a McMaster Marauders program that had previously dominated the league.
But 2006 marks a season of change in OUA football. Welcome to the era of parity. A blossoming Ottawa Gee-Gees team, led by all-Canadian candidate quarterback Josh Sacobie, will look to build on a close semi-final loss last season. McMaster has rebuilt and retooled, with former Laurier offensive coordinator Stefan Ptaszek taking over a team that has explosive potential on both sides of the ball. Down in Windsor, a potent ground attack led by CIS rushing leader Daryl Stephenson will attempt to beat down opponents as head coach Mike Morencie looks to get his troops past the opening round of the playoffs.
Teams like the Queen's Golden Gaels and Guelph Gryphons, both possessing stars in the making in quarterbacks Danny Brannagan and Justin Dunk, promise to be better and wouldn't shock if they pulled out a few wins over the league's elite. Like McMaster, Guelph also has a new man at the helm in Kyle Walters.
But the usual suspects will still have their say in 2006.
Despite losing Hec Crighton winner Andy Fantuz, the Western Mustangs will be eager to send Larry Haylor out on a high. The winningest coach in CIS history is stepping down after the season with former Mustangs star and CFL Coach of the Year Greg Marshall, the newest member of the Western coaching staff, has been appointed his successor.
Those that envision the decline of head coach Gary Jeffries's Laurier empire might be a little premature in their assessment. Last year's champs were certainly a veteran-laden bunch that relied on fifth-year seniors for success. But Jeffries has set the foundation and the Golden Hawks won't sit back after getting a taste of what it means to be national champions.
Click here for a full preview of all 10 teams.
To view the full 2006 OUA schedule, visit http://oua.ca/sports/football/schedule/
Information and team previews provided by Sports Information Directors from each OUA institution.
(Photo: Guelph wide receiver Jeff Keegan will be a focal point for the Gryphons this season after leading the CIS with 936 receiving yards last season. Photo by Kyle Rodriguez, artifactsforlife.com.)
But 2006 marks a season of change in OUA football. Welcome to the era of parity. A blossoming Ottawa Gee-Gees team, led by all-Canadian candidate quarterback Josh Sacobie, will look to build on a close semi-final loss last season. McMaster has rebuilt and retooled, with former Laurier offensive coordinator Stefan Ptaszek taking over a team that has explosive potential on both sides of the ball. Down in Windsor, a potent ground attack led by CIS rushing leader Daryl Stephenson will attempt to beat down opponents as head coach Mike Morencie looks to get his troops past the opening round of the playoffs.
Teams like the Queen's Golden Gaels and Guelph Gryphons, both possessing stars in the making in quarterbacks Danny Brannagan and Justin Dunk, promise to be better and wouldn't shock if they pulled out a few wins over the league's elite. Like McMaster, Guelph also has a new man at the helm in Kyle Walters.
But the usual suspects will still have their say in 2006.
Despite losing Hec Crighton winner Andy Fantuz, the Western Mustangs will be eager to send Larry Haylor out on a high. The winningest coach in CIS history is stepping down after the season with former Mustangs star and CFL Coach of the Year Greg Marshall, the newest member of the Western coaching staff, has been appointed his successor.
Those that envision the decline of head coach Gary Jeffries's Laurier empire might be a little premature in their assessment. Last year's champs were certainly a veteran-laden bunch that relied on fifth-year seniors for success. But Jeffries has set the foundation and the Golden Hawks won't sit back after getting a taste of what it means to be national champions.
Click here for a full preview of all 10 teams.
To view the full 2006 OUA schedule, visit http://oua.ca/sports/football/schedule/
Information and team previews provided by Sports Information Directors from each OUA institution.
(Photo: Guelph wide receiver Jeff Keegan will be a focal point for the Gryphons this season after leading the CIS with 936 receiving yards last season. Photo by Kyle Rodriguez, artifactsforlife.com.)
