Source: Shawn MacDonald, Queen's Sports Info / Photo credit Jason Scourse
2013 regular season record: 7-1
2013 regular season standings: 2nd in OUA
2013 playoff record: 1-1
2013 playoff finish: Lost 51-22 to Western in
conference final (Yates Cup)
The 2014 season saw the Gaels return to the Yates Cup for the first time since their 2009 Yates and Vanier Cup winning season. They once again met the Western Mustangs in the matchup but came out on the wrong end of the 51-22 final. The 2013 version of Queen’s had a veteran filled lineup and was at or near the top of the CIS in statistical categories on both sides of the ball as a team. Offensively, the Gaels averaged the second most points scored per game and led the league in defensive scores with five.
This season, Queen’s returns top players at some impactful positions. With a strong core of players moving on, including four who are currently with CFL teams, the Gaels will look to some younger faces to fill starting roles this season. Returning for Queen’s to run the offense in his fifth season will be quarterback Billy McPhee (Burlington, Ont.). McPhee had a standout season last year and will look to finish off his career with his best season yet. Although the offense loses members on the line and at the receiver position, this will only serve as an opportunity for younger faces to shine such as John Meenagh (Calgary) and Doug Corby (Burlington, Ont.).
Despite losing the programs all-time leading rusher in Ryan Granberg, the Gaels depth at running back will make them a threat on any play thanks to the likes of Jesse Andrews (Arnprior, Ont.), Jonah Pataki (Wallaceburg, Ont.) and Aaron Dowd (Gananoque, Ont.). Rotating in different backs with different skill sets helped keep a trio of runners fresh last year late into the season and playoffs, it is once again a luxury that the Gaels are blessed with in 2014.
The return of Derek Wiggan (Toronto) gives Queen’s an All-Canadian anchor for their defensive line once again. Wiggan was drafted by the Calgary Stampeders in the fourth round, 34th overall and will return to Queen’s for his final season before heading back to Calgary next year. Two emerging stars for the Gaels in the backfield will look to improve upon their standout 2013 seasons as Yann Dika-Balotoken (Toronto) and Brendan Morgan (Pickering, Ont.), who both attended the East-West Bowl this spring, are set for larger roles after the losses of All-Canadians Andrew Lue and TJ Chase-Dunawa.
Quote from head coach:
"This is a transition year at Queen's having graduated a number of starters on offense and defense. We have a small but talented group of seniors back with us this year led by quarterback Billy McPhee, defensive end Derek Wiggan and senior receiver Alex Carroll. Although we are lacking experience at certain positions, we have recruited well over the past few years and we have some talented athletes stepping up to fill the roles vacated by a talented group of graduating seniors. We have good team speed and some good young linemen who have been working hard to be ready for this year. My plan is to be a tough team to beat by season's end." – Pat Sheahan
Head Coach:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2014):
15th
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2014): 26th
- Career regular season record with team: 72-40
- Career regular season record in CIS: 120-73-1
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs
only): 88-51
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only):
151-94-1
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: Four
Key returning players:
QB Billy McPhee returns for his 5th season in the CIS. Continually improving throughout his career McPhee finished with his best season yet in 2013 ending with 17 touchdowns (6th in CIS) and only four interceptions (1st in CIS in TD/INT min. 50 passing attempts).
RB Jesse Andrews enters 2014 as the most experienced running back for the Gaels. 67.6 yards per game (16th in CIS) despite splitting duties, led the Gaels with 8.6 yards per carry and finished with five rushing scores (7th in CIS [tie]).
RB Jonah Pataki was named an OUA All-Rookie in his first year. Scored one touchdown as a rookie and rushed for 118 yards against Waterloo.
WR Alex Carroll is back for his 5th year as a Gael. Injuries slowed him down in 2013 but he was able to return to put up 68 yards with six receptions in a pivotal game against Guelph to close out the season.
Key recruits or transfers:
QB Nate Hobbs from St Joan of Arc CHS (Mississauga, Ont.) Mississauga Warriors/Team Ontario QB. Team Ontario U18 Gold Medal win vs Team USA in Texas last January.
WR Matteo Del Brocco from Cardinal Carter CHS (Leemington, Ont.) Essex Ravens Team
RB Brandon Tyrell from T.A. Blakelock HS (Oakville, Ont.)
Key losses:
RB Ryan Granberg, OT Josh Prinsen, WR Giovanni Aprile, OG
Derek Morris
DEFENCE
Number of returning starters: Six
Key returning players:
DT Derek Wiggan was an All-Canadian in 2013 and is a three time OUA All-Star. Drafted by the Calgary Stampeders this spring in the CFL draft Wiggan returns for his final season. He finished with 5.5 sacks last season (18th in CIS)
DB Yann Dika-Balotoken had a breakout campaign for the Gaels in 2014 being named a first-team OUA All-Star. He led the CIS in interceptions with five and interceptions returned for touchdowns with two.
DT Natu Myers saw his workload increase last season and is expected to be among the best on the defensive line for the Gaels in 2014. In limited action last year he had nine tackles and two for losses.
S Brendan Morgan settled in on the defensive side of the ball after starting out as a running back in 2013. In five games as a defensive player he put up 15 total tackles including a six tackle performance against Windsor.
Key recruits or transfers:
Defense
DE Carson O'Sullivan from St Mary’s CHS (Pickering,
Ont.)
DB Chris Mackey from Sinclair HS (Oshawa, Ont.)
LB Nelkas Kwemo from College St Anne (Lachine, Que.)/Kent Hills Prep in Maine, USA.
Key losses:
CB Andrew Lue, DB TJ Chase-Dunawa, DT John Miniaci, LB Sam
Sabourin
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players:
K - Dillon Wamsley
KR/PR – Doug Corby
Key recruits or transfers:
NA
Key losses:
KR/PR – Giovanni Aprile