Source: Michelle Pino, Guelph Sports Info
2013 regular season record: 7-1
2013 regular season standings: 3rd in OUA
2013 playoff record: 1-1
2013 playoff finish: Lost to Queen’s 34-17
in OUA Semi-Final in Kingston
The 2013 season was another year of continued progress for the Gryphons. Overall the squad was full of veteran leadership that helped propel the team to another great 7-1 regular season. There were flashes of brilliance seen, but still mixed in were some challenges and inconsistency. In 2014, the Gryphons will be looking to turn the corner and take the next step. Two years in a row they have performed well in the regular season which has set the expectations high.
Now in the fourth year with the same offence, fans should see the playbook opening up and timing looking even better. The running game will continue to be dynamic with the duo of veteran Rob Farquharson and second-year Johnny Augustine now having experience in the CIS. Quarterback Jazz Lindsey is showing that he is continuing to grow and understand the game. Key returning players at the receiver spot will be Alex Charette and A’dre Fraser. Both of these players started last year and will be called upon to step up as the new leaders of the receiving core.
Defensively the Gryphons will look to build on last year’s impressive success that saw them hold opponents to a mere 332 yards per game, good enough for first in the OUA and fifth in the CIS as well as only 17 points allowed per game (1st in the OUA/5th in the CIS). The defence only drops two players from last year’s group so the expectations are set high for 2014. Middle linebacker John Rush returns after missing six games in 2014, having been sidelined by a knee injury. The defensive line returns with another year under its belt and will be looking to add to its 34 sacks from last season.
Quote from head coach:
"In the last two years we have won more league games than any other OUA team but we have not yet achieved our goal of winning the Yates Cup. Our coaching staff which began four years ago has a team filled with our recruits, so we are excited about finally breaking through. Our players, led by a dedicated group of seniors, want to 'finish' the journey."
Head Coach:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2013):
5
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2013): 5
- Career regular season record with team: 20-12
- Career regular season record in CIS: 20-12
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs
only): 21-13
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only):
21-13
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: 8
Key returning players:
RB Rob Farquharson returns for his 5th season. Earned 2012 OUA second team all-star after a breakthrough season, finishing third in CIS rushing. In 2013, came back after a hamstring injury early in season to suit up for four games. Led the team in rushing yards recording 419 yards on 64 carries with five touchdowns. Was named the Gryphons offensive player of the week four times.
QB Jazz Lindsey returns for 4th season. Had a strong 2013 season finishing with a total of 1805 yards and 13 touchdowns. Was invited this summer to play in the East-West All-Star Bowl and spent time with the Toronto Argonauts during their training camp. Coaches are expecting Lindsey to emerge as a cerebral decision maker and take his game to the next level in 2014.
WR Alex Charette returns for his 4th season. Was one of the top receivers for the Gryphons in 2013 with 468 yards on 36 catches. Along with his excellent receiving yards he is a dangerous weapon on special teams. He was named the OUA and CIS special teams player of the week after an electrifying 125-yard touchdown off a missed field goal in a win over Waterloo. The coaches expect Charette to become a leader this season after a great showing at the East-West All-Star game in May.
WR A’dre Fraser will return for this 3rd season and be expected to step up as one of the new leaders in the receiving core. Named a 2012 and 2013 OUA all-star. He has big play ability and will be able to stretch the field vertically even better than previous seasons. In 2013 the 6-foot, 175 pound returner led the team in kick return yards with a total of 205 yards.
OL Matt Nesbitt returns for his 3rd year of eligibility. After the loss of key players Cameron Thorn and Jake Piotrowski, he will be looked upon to anchor and lead the offensive line. The 6-foot, 305 pound lineman has seen playing time since being a freshman.
Key recruits:
WR Khaliel James from Catholic Central in Windsor. Joins the team as one of the more dynamic athletes in the province. He is a rare combination of size and speed that should instantly add depth potentially in the both backfield and as a slot back.
QB James Roberts from Jacob Hespeler in Cambridge. Has represented Ontario on three occasions and has had incredible success both at high school and in the OVFL for the Cambrdige Lions.
Key losses:
Saxon Lindsey, WR
Dillon Dimitroff, WR
Jake Piotrowski, OL
Cameron Thorn, OL
DEFENCE
Number of returning starters: 8
Key returning players:
DB Tristan Doughlin returns for his 3rd year of eligibility. Last season he emerged as a huge playmaker and physical presence at free safety for the Gryphons with 32.5 tackles, 24 solo tackles and 2 interceptions.
DE Cam Walker enters his 4th year of eligibility. Named a 2012 and 2013 OUA all-Star. In 2013 he recorded 26.5 total tackles and 6 sacks for a total loss of 29 yards. Was twice named the Gryphon defensive player of the week and invited to the 2014 East-West All-Star Bowl.
LB Andrew Graham returns for only his 2nd year of eligibility. After John Rush’s season ending injury last year Graham stepped up and did an excellent job as a force in the middle. He was named a 2013 OUA all-star after recording 17 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks and 1 interception. He was named the Gryphons special teams player of the week three times throughout the season.
LB John Rush is returning for his 4th year after a season ending knee injury took place after only playing four games in 2013. The 2012 OUA all-star will be looking to get back into his all-star form following an intense rehab regime. Before his early exit in 2013 he tallied 18 solo tackles and was named the week 1 Gryphon defensive player of the week.
Key recruits:
DB Nick Parisotta from Lady of Lourdes in Guelph will remain in the city and play for his hometown Gryphons. He played for Canada on the Junior National team at the IFAF World Championships in Kuwait this summer and has also played for Team Canada in the 2014 International Bowl Series. Named the 2013 MVP of the D10 football high school league.
DB Royce Metchie from St. Edmund Campion and the Brampton Bulldogs of the OVFL. Played for Canada on the Junior National team at the IFAF World Championships in Kuwait this summer and in 2012 played for the GTA Rising Stars in their all-star game.
Key losses:
Taylor Palmer, DB
Vince Lonsdale, LB
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players:
PK Daniel Ferraro returns for his 4th year with the Gryphons. In 2013 he made 10-of-16 field goal attempts, with his longest being for 47 yards and punted 68 times for a total of 2398 yards with a long of 52. Daniel and his brother Gabriel, a first year joining the team will be looked upon this season to solidify the kicking game in 2014.
C Dan MacDonald will enter his 4th year of eligibility this season. One of the country’s best long snappers, MacDonald should continue to provide excellent ball security.
PK Jacob Scarfone enters only his 2nd year of eligibility. As a rookie, he was one of the most versatile players last season; kicking, running fakes, and recovering pooch kicks. He has the instincts and athleticism to be a game changer in 2014.
Key recruits:
PK Gabriel Ferraro from St. Marcellinus in Mississauga will be the second Ferraro to join the team alongside his brother Daniel who is in his fourth year with the team. Gabriel played in the 2014 International Bowl Series.
Key losses:
Julian Tropea, PK