Gryphons have high expectations in opener

Gryphons kick off 2013 season this Sunday with high expectations at Alumni Stadium

The Guelph Gryphons open the 2013 season against the Laurier Golden Hawks at home in Alumni Stadium, with kickoff on Sunday, August 25^th at 1:00pm.

The Gryphons ended the 2012 season with a 7-1 record finishing second in the OUA, losing only to the McMaster Marauders in the Yates Cup Finals (30-13), marking the end of one of the best seasons in the history of the Gryphons Football program.

Even though the Gryphons were Yates Cup finalists last year does not mean that the Golden Hawks will be an easy win during this season opener. The Golden Hawks and the Gryphons faced off last year at Laurier’s Homecoming game with a skin-tight final score of 22-19 for the Gryphons.

Expectations are high for the Gryphons entering the 2013 campaign. The veteran-laden lineup features 16 possible starters from last year’s squad. Guelph has 10 starters back in the fold on offence and six on defence allowing the team to hit the ground running from day one. With their strong core of returning players, impressive new recruiting class and confidence riding high from last season the Gryphons are looking to once again be OUA contenders.

Offensively, the Gryphons boast a balanced attack with the potential to start nine fifth year players, all of which will be relied on heavily for veteran leadership. Defensively, the Gryphons will be hard-pressed to top last year’s outstanding performance after losing a number of fifth year players, however if anyone is up to the task it will be third-year’s John Rush and Jeff Finley. The pair played in this summers East West Bowl and will both be relied on to guide the Gryphons defensive efforts.

“Coming off the best Gryphon season ever there is a lot of excitement and high expectation going into 2013,” head coach Stu Lang said. “With another excellent crop of recruits we remain a young and aggressive team with most of our players just going into year two or three. The talent on our team continues to improve but we are looking for leaders to fill the gap left by our exceptional group of graduates.”

 

PLAYER HIGHLIGHTS

OFFENCE

Key returning players:

RB Rob Farquharson, 2012 OUA second team all-star returns for his fourth year after a breakthrough season. He was third in the CIS, rushing 150 times for 936 yards and scored seven touchdowns.

QB Jazz Lindsey is set to embark on his second full season as a starter and third year of eligibility. His growth as a quarterback has been significant each season. In 2012 he recorded 128 completions on 228 attempts for 1604 total yards and 12 touchdowns.

WR Dillon Dimitroff is back with the Gryphons for his final season of eligibility and will be one of Jazz Lindsey’s favourite targets. He led the team last year in receiving, tallying 330 yards on 29 receptions and earned his OUA first all-star nod.

 

Key recruits or transfers:

RB Mason Swift is from Mt. Douglas High School in Sooke, BC. He was a two-time Triple AAA Senior Champion in 2011 and 2012. The 6-foot 215 pound player has also been a part of Team BC.

RB Johnny Augustine is from Notre Dame College in Welland, Ont. He began his football career with the Jupiter Warriors in Florida. When he moved to Ontario, he played summer football for the OVFL Niagara Spears. The 5-foot-9 200 pound speedster represented Team Ontario West at the 2010 Football Canada Cup and has also been named a GHR All-Star.

RB Bryson Dobush comes to the Gryphons from Bev Facey Composite High School in Sherwood Park, AB. The 6-foot 190 pound running back broke his high school’s single season scoring record with 33 touchdowns. He was also a two-year starter for Team Alberta in the Canada Cup in 2011 and 2012 and a team captain this past summer.

 

DEFENCE

Key returning players:

LB John Rush, 2012 OUA second-team all-star returns to the Gryphons for his third year of eligibility after a breakout season. He led the team last season in tackles with 55 and added four sacks, two interceptions and one breakup. He represented the West Team at the 2013 East West Bowl.

DL Jeff Finley is a 6-foot-3, 260 pound lineman who will be entering his third season with the Gryphons. He was invited to represent the West Team at the 2013 East West Bowl this past summer. He recorded 23 tackles and three sacks last year.

 

Key recruits or transfers:

DB Jadon Johnson joins the Gryphons from St. Marguerite D’Youville in Brampton, Ont. The 5-foot-10 165 pound future Gryphon played for Team Ontario West in 2011 in Lethbridge where he was named Defensive MVP for game one. In 2012 he followed up his Team Ontario performance with a bronze medal and was named Defensive MVP for the Tournament. He is a 2012 OVFL All-Star with the Brampton Bulldogs.

DB Orion Edwards is a 5-foot-8, 162 pound player coming to Guelph from Newmarket High School. He was a two time GTA and York Region Athletic Association All-Star Defensive Back.

LB Derek Drouillard joins the Gryphons following a stellar career at St. Thomas Aquinas in London, Ont. Throughout his high school football career the 6-foot-2, 200 pound linebacker reached the championship finals every year. He graduated high school as a city champion with St. Thomas Aquinas and a 2012 OVFL Varsity champion as a London Jr. Mustang. He also played in the 2012 Canada Cup for Team Ontario West where he won a bronze medal.

 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players:

Rush Cover Cam Walker returns to the team this season for his third year of eligibility. He was named a 2012 OUA first-team all-star after tallying 24 special teams tackles as well as two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Returner A’dre Fraser was a breakout star rookie for the Gryphons last season earning OUA first-team all-star status. He returned 30 punts for 327 yards, in addition to averaging 24 yards per kickoff return.

Kicker Jacob Scarfone joins the Gryphons from London, Ont. where he played for St. Thomas Aquinas. In high school he played kicker, defensive back, and receiver. His big leg helped his high school win the city championships in 2012.

 

The game will be webcast live here and tickets are available for purchase. For more ticket information click here.