September 28, 2021
Ford, Hinsperger, Stranz named OUA football players of the week
Burlington, Ont. - Tre Ford, James Hinsperger, and Eric Stranz have been named Canadian Football Perspective's OUA Players of the Week for Week 2.
Offensive Player of the Week - Tre Ford, Waterloo
Tre Ford put his dual-threat capabilities on display for the Waterloo Warriors, as the veteran pivot used his arm and his legs to help carry the black and gold past the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the season's first edition of the Battle of Waterloo.
It didn't take long for the fourth-year quarterback to make his mark, as he connected with James Basalyga for a 76-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game - his longest completion of the day. He would parlay that aerial attack into a 210-yard passing performance (12-for-21), to go along with another two scores through the air. His second touchdown came via a 15-yard connection to Justin Succar early in the second quarter, before he found Basalyga for a 30-yard major to open the final frame.
The Niagara Falls, Ont. native was also a menace on the ground, using his elusive footwork to rack up an impressive 125 rushing yards on just nine carries. His longest run of the day - a 36-yarder early in the third quarter - best showcased his mobility in the open field, but his 13.9 yards-per-carry overall was a prevalent part of the Warriors' ground game and, ultimately, their 36-12 win in Week 2.
Defensive Player of the Week - James Hinsperger, Waterloo
It had been two years in the making for the third Hinsperger brother to make his presence felt with the Warriors, but he did that and more at University Stadium this past weekend. Hinsperger was part of a game-high 11 tackles - four of which were of the solo variety - but his impact was also felt through the air, as he got his hands on not one, but two of Taylor Elgersma's passes on the day.
The civil engineering student's first interception came halfway through the third quarter when he forced the turnover at his own 40-yard line and returned it back eight yards. Just five minutes later, he was back at it for his second pick of the day, this time coming at the Laurier 30-yard line and setting his team up for a major on the very next play.
Special Teams Player of the Week - Eric Stranz, Guelph
The OUA football schedule was kicked into high gear when the Gryphons knocked off the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, and Guelph can thank the foot of kicker Eric Stranz for a great deal of his team's season opener success.
The big boot of Stranz connected on three field goals in the game, with each giving his side the lead at the time. The Ayr, Ont. native first split the uprights with an extra point, after which he nailed a 25-yarder to give Guelph a 10-8 cushion early in the second quarter. In the second half, Stranz was able to reach back for a pair of daunting kicks in the form of not one, but two makes of at least 45 yards (45, 47). The first came just over five minutes into the half to restore his team's two-point lead, before doing the same with his late third quarter connection. An additional extra point brought Stranz's total to 11 points in his team's 23-21 win over Western.
Stranz also contributed an average of 40.1 yards across his 10 punts on the day, including a long of 57 yards and one to pin Western inside their own 20.
Offensive Player of the Week - Tre Ford, Waterloo
Lighting fast! ?????? @WlooFTB https://t.co/v8XHuhTogS
- Waterloo Warriors (@WlooWarriors) September 25, 2021
Tre Ford put his dual-threat capabilities on display for the Waterloo Warriors, as the veteran pivot used his arm and his legs to help carry the black and gold past the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in the season's first edition of the Battle of Waterloo.
It didn't take long for the fourth-year quarterback to make his mark, as he connected with James Basalyga for a 76-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game - his longest completion of the day. He would parlay that aerial attack into a 210-yard passing performance (12-for-21), to go along with another two scores through the air. His second touchdown came via a 15-yard connection to Justin Succar early in the second quarter, before he found Basalyga for a 30-yard major to open the final frame.
The Niagara Falls, Ont. native was also a menace on the ground, using his elusive footwork to rack up an impressive 125 rushing yards on just nine carries. His longest run of the day - a 36-yarder early in the third quarter - best showcased his mobility in the open field, but his 13.9 yards-per-carry overall was a prevalent part of the Warriors' ground game and, ultimately, their 36-12 win in Week 2.
Defensive Player of the Week - James Hinsperger, Waterloo
NEW ON 519 - James Hinsperger had a big day on defence for @WlooFTB with two interceptions in a 36-12 victory over Laurier. The @WlooWarriors improve to 2-0 this season in @OUAsport football. More highlights later on 519! #LocalSports #OUA @HinspergerJames @kcmaverikk pic.twitter.com/7q4FO0o0fr
- 519 Sports Online (@519sportsonline) September 25, 2021
It had been two years in the making for the third Hinsperger brother to make his presence felt with the Warriors, but he did that and more at University Stadium this past weekend. Hinsperger was part of a game-high 11 tackles - four of which were of the solo variety - but his impact was also felt through the air, as he got his hands on not one, but two of Taylor Elgersma's passes on the day.
The civil engineering student's first interception came halfway through the third quarter when he forced the turnover at his own 40-yard line and returned it back eight yards. Just five minutes later, he was back at it for his second pick of the day, this time coming at the Laurier 30-yard line and setting his team up for a major on the very next play.
Special Teams Player of the Week - Eric Stranz, Guelph
??FB HIGHLIGHT: From 47-yards away, Eric Stranz makes no mistake to give the Gryphons a 13-11 lead over the @WesternMustangs midway through the 3rd qtr#GUEvsWES #GryphonPride pic.twitter.com/zUnQ5GLTJm
- Guelph Gryphons (@guelph_gryphons) September 25, 2021
The OUA football schedule was kicked into high gear when the Gryphons knocked off the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, and Guelph can thank the foot of kicker Eric Stranz for a great deal of his team's season opener success.
The big boot of Stranz connected on three field goals in the game, with each giving his side the lead at the time. The Ayr, Ont. native first split the uprights with an extra point, after which he nailed a 25-yarder to give Guelph a 10-8 cushion early in the second quarter. In the second half, Stranz was able to reach back for a pair of daunting kicks in the form of not one, but two makes of at least 45 yards (45, 47). The first came just over five minutes into the half to restore his team's two-point lead, before doing the same with his late third quarter connection. An additional extra point brought Stranz's total to 11 points in his team's 23-21 win over Western.
Stranz also contributed an average of 40.1 yards across his 10 punts on the day, including a long of 57 yards and one to pin Western inside their own 20.
