Bison Football host 2010 Spring Camp at University of Manitoba

The Manitoba Bisons football team begins the 2010 Spring Camp with meetings on Thursday, April 29 with the first practice occurs on Friday, April 30 and the camp finishes with a scrimmage on Sunday, May 2. There are over 150 players (approx. 159), which consist of a record number of Spring Camp Bison participants. There is a mixture of returning, veteran players (approx. 60) and newcomers (approx. 99) that will be highlighted during the annual three-day camp running from April 30 to May 2 at the University of Manitoba campus.

The Bisons seek to rebound and vault back to the position as one of the elite teams in Canada West and CIS after an official 2-5 record (4-4 record with on the field results) after being declared to forfeit two games due to ineligible player in 2009 season. With the large numbers in this Camp, there will be several areas of battle for starting positions.

Starting on the offensive side, the quarterback position is a pivotal place that will see a battle for the top QB spot after graduation of last year’s starter Nathan Friesen. Two incumbents have the inside track with third year eligible Khaleal Williams and third year eligible Kevin Hayes. They will be joined with returning Bisons Nicholas Cobb and Andrew Klaprat while newcomers looking to shine are invitee Cam Clark (2007 BCFC Outstanding rookie) and Marc Paquette, both from BCFC Big Kahuna South Surrey Rams. Clark was second in BCFL passing yards last season.

At running back, fifth year players Matt Henry and James Gerardy will be at camp along with several other returning Bison running backs. A couple of new players to watch for are invitee Kienan LaFrance (led PFC Winnipeg Rifles in rushing last season) and Justin Grochowski who has already committed to Manitoba at both football and track and field.

At receiver, there are numerous opportunities for starting roles this season and over 20 new players invited to camp to compete. From Junior Football, Danny Turek (6’3” WR and leading receiver in BCFC with Okanagan Sun last season plus 2009 CJFL All-Canadian), Tom Shaw (6’4” SB from PFC Calgary Colts), Tyson Hinds (6’3” SB from PFC Calgary Colts), Robin Medeiros (played with 2009 CJFL champion Vancouver Island Raiders and sixth leading receiver in BCFC), Matt Lariviere (top receiver with PFC Winnipeg Rifles last season), Thomas Refuse (eighth leading receiver in BCFC with South Surrey Rams), Anthony Malott (played with University of Alberta last season) and other invitees are Jared Ralko, Xavier Johnson, Tyson Takasaki and Quincy Hurst. From local high school, Bryden Bone (St. Paul’s H.S.), Christian Hansen (St. Paul’s H.S.), Dustin Herda (Miles Macdonell) and Curtis Goodrich (West Kildonan) all committed to Manitoba.

On the offensive line, there are returning veterans led by Landon Rice, Sam Nemis and Scott Johnson plus red-shirted last season Andrew Kochan and Jaret Thurier are vying for starting roles. Some newcomers to keep on eye at camp are Tyler Fabbri (played with PFC Winnipeg Rifles last season), Ben Downs (transfer from University of Alberta), Geoff Melnechuk (transfer from University of Windsor), plus local high schoolers Josh Ahmo (WHSFL All-Star with Vincent Massey and 2009 Tom Longboat Award winner), Christian Koroma (St. Paul’s H.S.), Bradley Schwean (St. John’s H.S.) and Kris Stevens (Churchill H.S.)

Onto the defensive side, there is a lot of quality and depth at the defensive line position. The Bisons might lose two players (Eddie Steele – 2009 CIS All-Canadian and Everton Black – 2009 Canada West All-Star) in the upcoming CFL College Draft in early May but still have Bison starters from last season Jesse Schryver and Adam Hindley plus red-shirted last season players Ian DeGannes-Shaw, Kyle Bracken and Clifton Lewis are available. In addition, Lou Richardson, Rodney Patterson and Braedon Speer will be in the mix. One newcomer who will make an impression is Evan Gill (WHSFL ALL-Star in 2009 and 2008 with Churchill H.S.).

At linebacker position, leading Bison tackler from last season and 2009 CIS Russ Jackson award winner Thomas Hall will return along with among returning veterans John Tietzmann and Justin Clayton. There will be good competition at the middle linebacker position with vets Mike Taylor and Kurt Kux along with red-shirted last season Lauren Kroeker. A new recruit that should make an impact at Camp will be Thomas Miles (First Team All-Canadian in 2009 and was WHSFL All-Star in 2008 and 2009).

The defensive back positions have a veteran group returning led by Teague Sherman, 2009 Canada West All-Star Pete Adams, David Ferrier, Grayson Wells, Andre James, Justin Kasak, Cody Mazur and Adam Mazowita. Several players looking to stand out at Spring Camp are local high school athletes Anthony Coombs (2009 WHSFL All-Star with Sturgeon Heights H.S.), Brett Macfarlane (2009 WHSFL All-Star with Grant Park) and Mitchell Harrison (Sisler H.S.). From Junior Football, Jordan Linnen (BCFC All-Star with South Surrey Rams last season), Matt Arnold (played with PFC Winnipeg Rifles last season), invitees R.J. Cornish (Victoria Rebels last season) and Lavar Hayden (BCFC All-Star with Vancouver Island Raiders last season) plus Jeff Thompson (transfer from Canada West Simon Fraser) will be at Spring Camp.

At special teams, with Scott Dixon graduated and Jake Kennerd not returning, both the kicking jobs are open. Brendon Bowman practiced as a kicker and receiver last season and Bison vet Cody Mazur will kick while newcomers Evan Gill (Churchill H.S.) plus invitees Clark Petrick (Vancouver Island raiders last season) and Andrew Urso (Winnipeg Nomads) also will compete.

BISON FOOTBALL 2010 SPRING CAMP SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 29:
4-7 p.m. 133 Frank Kennedy – Bison Apparel Fitting
7 p.m. Team Meeting – Rm. 136 FKC
7:30 p.m. Off/Def. Meeting – Rm. 136/133 FKC
9 p.m. Positional Meetings

Friday, April 30:
2:30 p.m. Indoor Soccer Complex – Taping
4-6 p.m. Practice #1 – Indoor Soccer Complex

Saturday, May 1:
10:30 a.m. Indoor Soccer Complex – Taping
11:30 a.m. U of M Stadium – Specialists
12-2 p.m. Practice #2 – U of M Stadium
2:30-4:30 p.m. Practice #3 – U of M Stadium

Sunday, May 2:
8:30 a.m. Indoor Soccer Complex – Taping
10 a.m.-12 p.m. Practice #4 – U of M Stadium
11:30 a.m. Practice Field – Specialists (LS/Punt/P. Ret.)
2 p.m. U of M Stadium – Taping
4-6 p.m. U of M Stadium – Scrimmage
8 p.m. Team Together (TBA)

Spring Camp Practices will be held at Winnipeg Indoor Soccer Complex and at University Stadium (both at University of Manitoba campus).