By: OUA football correspondent
On Sunday August 25, ten of the 11 Ontario University Athletics (OUA) football teams will begin their quest to capture the 2019 Yates Cup. The OUA is the largest football conference in the country, fielding 11 of the 27 teams that compete in USports football. Manitoba will be well represented this season as eight of the 11 OUA football teams will dress Manitobans this fall.
Week 1 matchups are listed here. For complete Week 1 depth charts and dress rosters, click on the link here:
This column will preview each OUA team, while also highlighting which Manitobans to look out for this season.
Western Mustangs
2018 Result: 1st 8-0, Yates Cup Champions, Vanier Cup Loss to Laval
Manitobans: DL Tony Rossi
The Western Mustangs will once again be Yates Cup Favourites. Leading Western will be veteran head coach Greg Marshall and 5th year Quarterback Chris Merchant, who will look to continue to their string of success by controlling the line of scrimmage and playing mistake free football. Manitoban Tony Rossi has been named the starting defensive tackle, and will look to build on his 14 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery from last year.
Guelph Gryphons
2018 Result: T3 5-3, Yates Cup loss to Western
Manitobans: REC Mike O’Shea
Following a Yates Cup appearance, the Guelph Gryphons hired former Calgary Dinos Offensive Coordinator Ryan Sheahan to be their new head coach. Guelph will be lead by mobile quarterback Theo Landers. Former St. Paul’s receiver Mike O’Shea will be entering his second season, and will be competing in a deep, competitive receiving core.
Ottawa Gee-Gees
2018 Result: 2nd 6-2, SF Loss to Guelph
Manitobans: DB Cody Cranston
2018 was a breakout season for the Ottawa Gee Gees, where they finished 2nd in the regular season before being upset by Guelph in the Yates Cup semi-final. Ottawa will be lead by Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan native and Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp participant Sawyer Buettner. Winnipeg native and Montreal Alouettes draft pick Cody Cranston will be looking to add to his total of 7 career interceptions during his 5th and final season.
Carleton Ravens
2018 Result: T3 5-3, SF Loss to Western
Manitobans: None
2018 was a solid season for the Carleton Ravens, having qualified for the playoffs, beating McMaster in the OUA Quarter-Final before losing to the Western Mustangs. Carleton will be lead by first time starting quarterback Tanner DeJong, and a play-making Ravens defense.
McMaster Marauders
2018 Result: T3 5-3, QF Loss to Carleton
Manitobans: QB Andreas Dueck, LB Eryk Bujalski, OG Wyatt Edmonds, REC Xander Tachinski
The McMaster Marauders have rehired accomplished Head Coach Stefan Ptaszek following the departure of former head coach Greg Knox. Vincent Massey alumni Andreas Dueck will be quarterbacking the Marauder offense this season after starting the final 6 games of the 2018 season. Winnipeggers Eryk Bujalski, Wyatt Edmonds and Xander Tachinski have also been named starters, and will look to contribute to a Marauder team that is poised to contend for the Yates Cup.
Waterloo Warriors
2018 Result: T6 4-4, QF Loss to Guelph
Manitobans: DL Justin James, FB Charles Gillen
The 2018 season was a renaissance for the Waterloo Warriors. The emergence of Hec Creighton finalist Trey Ford and East-West Bowl invitee Tyler Ternowski allowed the Warriors to compete in the Yates Cup Playoffs for the first time since the infamous 2010 PED Scandal. Winnipeggers DL Justin James and FB Charles Gillen will look to contribute to a Warriors team that’s looking to take the next step and compete for a Yates Cup in 2019.
Queens Golden Gaels
2018 Result: T8 3-5, Missed Playoffs
Manitobans: REC Tyler Fedak
After missing the playoffs, Queens hired former Western Mustangs Offensive Coordinator Steve Snyder as its new head coach. Queens will be looking to return to the OUA playoffs and add to the programs history of 4 Vanier Cup Championships. Portage La Prairie native Tyler Fedak will be entering his first full season after redshirting in 2018.
Windsor Lancers
2018 Result: 10th 1-7, Missed Playoffs
Manitobans: None
Looking to change the culture, the Windsor Lancers hired former Western Mustangs Offensive Line Coach JP Circelli. In 2019, Windsor will look to compete and qualify for the OUA playoffs for the first time since 2014.
Toronto Varsity Blues
2018 Result: 11th 0-8, Missed Playoffs
Manitobans: FB Quinn Mulligan
Toronto head coach Greg Marshall will be entering his 2nd full season at the helm of the Varsity Blues. Following a winless season, Toronto will look to reach the playoffs in 2019 for the first time since 1995. St. Paul’s alumni Quinn Mulligan played in all eight games last year as a fullback for the Varsity Blues and will look to build upon a strong start to his career in 2019.
York Lions
2018 Result: T8 3-5, Missed Playoffs
Manitobans: LB Jared Ott
2018 was York’s winningest season since 2005. The Lions will look to build on 2018 and qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Winnipegger Jared Ott has already played in 16 USports games thus far in his career, and will look to build on a 2018 season that saw him register 17 tackles.
Laurier Golden Hawks
2018 Result: T6 4-4, Missed Playoffs
Manitobans: None
After a disappointing 2018, the Laurier Golden Hawks will be looking to regain their form which saw them win the 2016 Yates Cup. Lead by head coach Michael Faulds, an athletic defense, and a playmaking offense, Laurier will look to once again qualify and compete in the 2019 Yates Cup Playoffs.