Eclectic Bison class (VIDEO)

British Columbia & Manitoba standouts commit to CWUAA team

Recently, the Manitoba Bisons signed seven recruits to the team’s 2014 class.

Matt Clarkson, Jake Creasey, Whitman Tomusiak, Anthony Daley, Reid McMorris, Eric Plett and Evan Foster will join the Bisons for the 2014 CWUAA season.

Of the seven recruits, five of them come from British Columbia while the other two are from Manitoba. All players come with varying levels of experience at the high school, minor and junior levels of football.

MATT CLARKSON:

The 6’4, 265 pound offensive lineman from Mission, British Columbia was impressed not only with the strength of the football program, but also Bisons Head Coach Brian Dobie.

“I committed to Manitoba because I really like Coach Dobie,” explained Clarkson.  “He is a good man and a great coach and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

“Also the facilities are the best in Canada.”

Clarkson recently played for the Mission Roadrunners of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA).

JAKE CREASEY:

The 6’2, 190 pound receiver from Chilliwack, British Columbia felt the Winnipeg, Manitoba campus was the right gridiron fit for him.

“I chose the University of Manitoba for a few reasons,” explained Creasey of his decision.  “First, I felt that Manitoba was the best fit.”

“I’ve been told their receiving core was phenomenal.  Also, my first positional coach Mike Kelly went to the University of Manitoba and I look up to him so that was a big influence. Secondly, the university has brand new high tech equipment – I mean how I can’t love that and the new stadium, locker room, training room, physical therapy areas…etc.  Lastly, Head Coach Brian Dobie was an honest from the beginning telling me what he thought of me where we stood all of that. He created a welcoming and comfortable bond that really pushed me to my final decision.”

Creasey has only played three years of football.  He began his gridiron journey as a running back with the bantam Chilliwack Giants.

“My two coaches Mike Kelly and Rob Morvan are the reason I am who I am today,” expressed Creasey.  “From the start they pushed me to my limits the taught me what they had learned and never once settled for anything but the best.”

“My head coach for the Giants, Suresh Parray had this way about him, a way of leadership. He was the most respectful and honest coach I have ever met. The three of them were like a family to me.”

Recently, the offensive standout completed a stint with GW Graham Grizzlies of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA).  This past season, he amassed 811 receiving yards on 42 receptions, 187 rushing yards on 22 carries and converted two kickoff returns into touchdown scores.

“During my final year, grade 12 year playing receiver, I was head coached by Laurie Smith, who as a new head coach of a new program did an incredible job creating a strong program,” added Creasey.  “My positional coach was Adam Smith and he was like a brother through the whole process.”

“If I ever needed help, had questions or needed guidance he was there.  He helped fine tune my football skills and did a great job, considering I am young and still have much to learn. I am looking forward to improving my skills.”

WHITMAN TOMUSIAK:

The 6’2, 190 pound wide receiver from Nanaimo, British Columbia is moving to the Prairies for the opportunity to play alongside his former teammates.

“The main reason for choosing Manitoba is that a bunch of my friends from the Raiders are on the team (Jordan Yantz, Matt Sawyer, Tremaine Apperly),” expressed Tomusiak.  “The program has become top notch especially with the addition of the new facility.”

“Coach (Brian) Dobie has also impressed me in the many talks I’ve had with him.”

Tomusiak comes to the Bisons after a successful stint with the Vancouver Island Raiders of the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) in the Canadian Junior Football Conference (CJFL). During his time with the team, he was named BCFC Offensive MVP as well as a CJFL All-Canadian.

Previous to the Raiders, the wide receiver played for the Nanaimo Redmen of the Vancouver Mainland Football League (VMFL).  Currently, he is under contract with the CFL’s BC Lions.

ANTHONY DALEY:

The 6’2 295 pound offensive lineman from Winnipeg, Manitoba felt comfortable with the local CIS team in so many ways.

“I think it’s an outstanding football program, the new facilities are great and it’s at home for me,” said Daley.  “I’ve been involved with the Bison’s for three off seasons by training with the team and I’m closely connected with the players and coaching staff because of that.”

However, Daley comes to Bisons with a very interesting gridiron situation at hand.

“It’s kind of a weird situation for me because I was on the practice roster for the BC Lions last season as a junior exemption and I’ve been invited back this coming season,” offered Daley.  “My goal is to be a BC Lion and if not then I’m going to be a Bison.”

The defensive standout was selected two consecutive times as an All-Canadian (2012, 2013) during his time with Langley Rams of the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL).  Previous to the Rams, he suited up suited up for the Greendell Falcons of the Midget Football League of Manitoba.

REID MCMORRIS:

The 6’6, 295 offensive lineman from Abbotsford, British Columbia chose the CWUAA campus for several different reasons.

“I committed to Manitoba because I know it’s a strong program that fits me well and I also know a few players on the team, so I think bonding with the team would be easier,” explained McMorris.  “The facilities are the best in Canada; I’d say on a Division 1 level.”

“The opportunity to play in Investors Group Field is pretty unreal as well. The program is very good and I think has the making to be a national contender for sure.”

Recently, McMorris suited up for the Valley Huskers of the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). Previous to the Huskers, the lineman played for the Robert Bateman Timberwolves of the British Columbia High School Football Association (BCHSFA) and the Chilliwack Giants.

ERIC PLETT:

The 6’0, 195 pound defensive back from Winnipeg, Manitoba will be playing CIS football in front of the hometown crowd.

“Some factors for signing with the Bisons were the state of the art facilities they have to offer, having the satisfaction/opportunity of playing for your home province and knowing that they have a lot to offer when it comes to coaching on the field, weight training programs, and a good class course selection,” added Plett.

Plett comes to the Bisons after completing a stint with Winnipeg Rifles in the Prairie Football Conference (PFC) in the Canadian Junior Football Conference (CJFL). Previous to the Rifles, the defensive standout played for the Dakota Lancers of the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL).

EVAN FOSTER:

The 6’0, 265 defensive tackle from Chilliwack, British Columbia gravitated towards the positive Bisons environment.

“I chose University of Manitoba because of the great coaches and the great facility, and from what I hear it’s a great team atmosphere which I love,” said Foster.

Recently, the defensive standout suited up for the Langley Rams of the British Columbia Football Conference (BCFC) in the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). Previous to the Giants, Foster played for the Chilliwack Giants.

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