Source: Catherine Grace, Concordia Sports Info
2012 regular season record: 2-7
2012 regular season standings: 5th place in the
RSEQ
2012 playoff record: None
The 2012 football season was a challenging one that saw the Concordia Stingers lose football games (and gain one back) due to the use of an ineligible player, but now it’s time to move forward.
It will be a new look and a new attitude for the 2013 Stingers.
There’s a couple of new co-ordinators in Luc Pelland (defence) and Shawn Mayne (special teams) who bring a wealth of experience and very positive approaches. There’s a lot of fresh faces in the lineup selected from more than 50 newcomers in training camp.
At this year’s August camp, the youthful enthusiasm and the leadership from devoted returning players made for a smooth transition.
“I like the atmosphere on the team this year,” said head coach Gerry McGrath. “There’s lots of energy and a very positive attitude. I’m excited about this season.”
On offence, the passing game should be a force with four of the five starting receivers back, along with senior quarterback Reid Quest.
Defensively, the Stingers’ front seven is loaded with veteran talent and should be formidable, especially against running teams. The defensive backfield will be inexperienced, but veteran cornerback Kevin Prempeh and new defensive back coach Nathan Taylor will provide leadership.
As usual special teams, especially the kicking game with Keegan Treloar, will be stellar.
Concordia opens the season at home to the Montréal Carabins on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 1 p.m.
Head Coach Gerry McGrath:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2013):
14
- Career regular season record with team: 59-48
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs
only): 64-58
OFFENCE
Key veterans:
QB Reid Quest – 3rd year, Regina – Last season he completed 169 of 290 passes for 2121 yards, 13 TDs and eight interceptions. He became just the second quarterback in Concordia history to break the 2,000-yard mark. This is his final year of eligibility, and his maturity and experience have been obvious in training camp. He will be the heart and soul of the offence.
SB Kris Bastien – 4th year, St. Lambert, Que. – The Stingers have been in training for just a couple of weeks, but there have been a lot of CFL scouts around. Bastien is at the top of everyone’s list. He is expected to be a top pick in the 2014 CFL draft. He battled injuries in 2012 and hardly saw any playing time. However, he caught 13 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns in what amounted to approximately two games. In a preseason game Aug. 18 at University of Toronto, he caught seven passes for 173 yards and two TDs.
SB Jamal Henry – 3rd year, St. Constant, Que. – This should be a breakout year for the versatile Henry. In 2012, he caught 30 passes for 348 yards and two touchdowns. On special teams watch for him to step into 2012 all-Canadian Kris Robertson’s place and also become one of the top return men in the CIS.
Key recruits:
Rec. Leon Budhram – Brampton, Ont. (Brampton Bears - CJFL) – Budhram arrived along side several teammates from the junior Bears and quickly stood out in training camp. “He’s a step in receiver,” says McGrath. “Our starting five are very good and he’s there with them.” He checks in at six feet, 180 pounds and can play both inside and outside.
RB Jamall Hamilton-Hyman – Toronto (Chilliwack Huskers -
CJFL) – Hyman has been one of the most talked about players
in training camp. He was considered one of the top high school
running backs in Ontario a couple of years ago and played more
recently in the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC).
McGrath likes his speed, explosiveness and size. He is six feet,
200 pounds.
FB Alexandre Villeneuve – Quebec City (Kent Prep School)
– He was under the radar when he arrived at camp, but
everyone knows who he is now. Coach McGrath is very pleased with
his work ethic and his level of talent.
Key losses:
C Corey Newman – Châteauguay, Que. – Newman was a rock for five years with the team. His strong leadership and steady play will be missed by the offensive line.
WR Sanchez Deschamps – Mississauga, Ont. – Another five-year veteran has moved on. He was the go-to receiver last year. He had 29 catches for 477 yards and an average of 16.4 per catch. He was first on the team in yards and average.
DEFENCE
Key returning players:
The Front Seven – There’s so much depth, experience and talent here that it’s difficult to highlight a couple of individuals.
At linebacker, it’s hard to imagine a CIS team with a better starting four – 2011 Presidents’ Trophy winner Max Caron, 2012 CIS leading tackler Travis Bent and the top tackler in the CEGEP AAA ranks a few years ago Alexandre Lemire. Then there’s the youngest who will likely be the most dominant of them all by the end of his career - Mikael Charland. The second-year man put up crazy numbers in testing, including a 4.46 40 time.
At defensive line, there’s depth and talent at a level the Stingers haven’t seen in a number of years. All-star tackle Quinn Smith will anchor the line, and Shaquille Armstrong and newcomer Jonathan Langma will play big roles.
Key recruits:
S Neil Riley-Grant, Brampton, Ont. (Brampton Bears – CJFL) – Coach McGrath can’t say enough about Riley-Grant and his work with the Stingers. He’s slotted in at safety but can play anywhere in the defensive backfield. In 2012 he was a CJFL all-Canadian with Brampton. He had 29 tackles, two sacks and three knockdowns. In 2011, he hauled in seven interceptions with the Bears.
DE Jonathan Langma, Mississauga, Ont. (transfer from St. Francis Xavier University) – After playing three seasons in the Atlantic conference, Langma sat out a year and has transferred to Concordia for his final years of eligibility. He had 17 tackles and three sacks in 2011 with St. FX. He checks in at six foot two, 245 pounds. McGrath thinks he is potential all-Canadian.
Key losses:
S Nathan Taylor, LaSalle, Que. – Taylor wrapped up his four-year career with the Stingers in 2012. He had 36.5 tackles and three interceptions. He was named the team MVP at the end of season banquet. He has moved on to the coaching ranks, working with the Stingers’ young defensive backs.
LB Christian Walcott, Markham, Ont. – After five years at Concordia, Walcott graduated with a degree in management in the spring. In 2012, he collected 26 tackles and one sack. A former Team Canada standout, he was a quiet leader and integral part of the Stingers program over his career.
HB Kris Robertson, Pickering, Ont. – After four seasons as a defensive back and return specialist Robertson was selected in the second round of the 2013 CFL draft by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. With the Stingers in 2012, he had 27.5 tackles and four interceptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players:
K Keegan Treloar – 3rd year, Brandon, Man. – When several CFL kickers came to the Stinger Dome last March to train with Gerry McGrath, Treloar had to put up with some teasing from them. “Don’t break the streak, Keegan.” So many Stingers (Rene Paredes, Mike Renaud, Burke Dales, Warren Kean) have made it to the pros, there’s a lot of pressure for Treloar to do the same. In 2012 he was good on 17 of 25 field goals and connected on all 21 of his PATs. He’s ready to take another step forward this year.
Key recruit:
P Clark Green, Chatham, Ont. (Chatham-Kent Secondary School) - Green was a member of Team Ontario West in 2011 and he earned Golden Horseshoe all-star honors in 2011 and 2012. He checks in at six foot three, 185 pounds. Green has enjoyed a great training camp as the punter and he can also take on the kicking duties if necessary. “He’s the best high school punter I’ve seen in many years,” says McGrath.
Key loss:
Returner Kris Robertson Pickering, Ont. – In 2012 Robertson, a two-time CIS all-Canadian return specialist, collected 279 yards on punt returns, 636 yards on kickoff returns and 127 yards on interceptions for 1042 all-purpose yards. That’s a lot of talent the Stingers have to replace.