Dinos 2014 Perpetual Energy Training Camp Preview: Special Teams

Special teams are often neglected but they are not with the Dinos. The Dinos take a great deal working on special teams and over the years it has been well worth it. Last year specialty team coach Taylor Atilio’s units did a fabulous job making numerous key plays.  

Veteran Johnny Mark is back for his fourth season and will handle both the kicking and punting chores for the Scarlet & Gold.  A Canadian Interuniversity sport first team all-Canadian, Mark was selected 20th overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2013 draft. Mark attended their camp and was asked to remain with club but opted to return to complete his degree requirements.

Tanner Doll was a dependable long snapper and returns in that capacity again in 2014. He has established himself as a very consistent performer at that spot.

Other key players on special teams are Mac Sarro and sophomore linebackers Brad Friesen and Ian Ojekale, both of whom saw extensive action on special teams as pure freshmen.

The return duties will be shared by veteran Jake Harty and speedy Eli Bouka with others being available if needed.

The team lost a pair of critical players on special teams. Adam Ballingall and Tom Knitter were key cogs on special teams in 2013. Ballingall led the Conference with two blocked kicks and barely missed a couple of others coming off the edge.  Both have neglected to return, in Ballingall’s case to focus on a heavy academic course load and Knitter graduated.

A couple of promising new kickers are Alec Curtis and Callum Duke, both of whom will be groomed to replace Mark next year.

Dinos 2014 Perpetual Energy Training Camp Preview: Quarterbacks

The Dinos are blessed with a trio of quarterbacks, each of whom has extensive Canada West experience. In camp Andrew Buckley and Eric Dzwilewski will compete for the top job. In 2013, Andrew Buckley took over the starting spot midway through the first game at UBC due to an injury to Dzwilewski. By the end of the season Buckley was a conference All-Star and Russ Jackson Award Winner, and lead the Dinos to a Vanier Cup appearance. Dzwilewski, who suffer a foot injury last season, is a former CanWest MVP, and National Rookie of the Year, who is looking to win back the starting job. The competition in camp should be fierce.

Also competing with Buckley and Dzwilewski, is Jimmy Underdahl who saw considerable playing time the last couple of the seasons and is familiar with the personnel and the offense. Last year’s freshman prospect Boston Rowe an exceptional athlete and has moved to the defensive secondary. The Dinos have a pair of freshman quarterbacks in Dre Townsend and Bailey Wasdal that join the team for the 2014 season.

Dinos 2014 Perpetual Energy Training Camp Preview: Recievers

Under the capable direction of Dennis Holowaychuk the Dinos receiving corps begin the 2014 season minus the graduated Chris Dobko. Chris became the school’s all-time leading receiver in terms of receptions last season and was a three time Canada West all-star and a four year starter. His experience will be greatly missed.

Returning at inside receivers are Brett Blaszko and Jake Harty, both of whom were starters last year and are more than capable of making big plays. Harty is expected to be a top pick in the 2015 CFL Draft. Another returning starter is Brendan Thera-Plamondon, a great athlete, who reminds many of former Dinos and current Eskimo Nate Coehoorn. Juniors Kyle Brick and and Denzel Radford along with sophomore Austen Hartley saw considerable action and gained valuable experience in 2013. Freshmen inside receivers include Giancarlo Spoletini and Hunter Karl, while St. Francis Xavier transfer Travis Rasch is also available.

At wideout Michael Klukas is a returning starter that is set to have a breakout season in 2014. Other returnees are former Calgary Colts’ player Matt Lamoureux, who was injured all of last year and Tyler Ledwos. New additions are freshmen Dallas Boath from Centennial High School and Will Maxwell from St. Francis High School. This past spring Maxwell was the Calgary 100 meter champion. Also joining the team at wideout from Vancouver Island is Scott Childs.

Dinos 2014 Perpetual Energy Training Camp Preview: Defensive Backs

The secondary returns all five starters from 2013 including a one CIS first team all-Canadian and a pair of Conference all-stars. Cyril Iwanegbe earned first team all-Canadian status as well as being a CW all-star last year, while teammate Adam Laurenesse was an all-star cornerback. Other starters returning are inside halfback Robbie Woodson, who gained a starting spot as a true freshman, safety Nathan Mitchell, and cornerback Michael Schmidt. Once again Marcello Rapini returns to coach the secondary. Rapini stresses technique and discipline and that saw his young group improve tremendously over the course of the season.

Woodson, who missed half the season due to an ankle issue was solid down the stretch despite being just 18 years old. Mitchell and Schmidt gained valuable experience as starters in 2013 as sophomores.

Rapini has excellent depth in his group this season,  junior Hunter Turnbull can play anywhere in the secondary and was one of the team’s top tacklers last year. Boston Rowe, originally a quarterback, is a superb athlete and has been moved to safety. Rowe has an excellent understanding of the game and outstanding potential. Eli Bouka moved from offense to defense last year and outstanding speed at corner. Kellen Forrest is also available after seeing action in 2013 at inside halfback.

Newcomers include Antonio Penn who is a transfer from NCAA Div 1 West Virginia Mountaineers and the Statz twins from Provincial Champion Notre Dame in Calgary. Both Nick and Aaron Statz are cornerbacks. Another outstanding freshman prospect is Andrew Britton from Henry Wise Wood High in Calgary. Also in the group are freshman Kendrick Ankamah from MCLA in Calgary and veteran Ufoma Ikporo.

The secondary lost depth players Tom Knitter and Adam Ballingall which means that some of the new players recruited will have to fill that role.

Dinos 2014 Perpetual Energy Training Camp Preview: Linebackers

The Dinos return their entire starting group from 2013. The linebackers are coached by veteran Wayne Harris, Gino Fracas Award winner in 2006. The group is anchored by Conference Defensive Player of the Year Doctor Cassama at outside linebacker. A defensive back his first three years with the team, Cassama transitioned to a new position last season and became a difference maker.

Joining Cassama at outside linebacker will be five year veteran Thomas Spoletini. In 2013 Spoletini was a Conference all-star. Thomas is an outstanding leader, and will be a key veteran presence on the field in 2014.

In the middle Tanner Doll returns for 2014. Tanner will be joined in the middle of the Dino’s 34 defence by Adam Konar who missed all of last year due to injury. Konar had an outstanding freshman year at UBC in 2011, played Junior football in 2012 and was the BCFC D MVP before transferring the U of C in 2013.

Veteran Cory Roboch and sophomore Brad Friesen both saw extensive action last season and will battle for playing time while providing excellent depth. Friesen saw a lot of playing time in the playoffs last season and performed very well against Western and Laval.

Ian Ojekale also had a superb freshman season filling in for Spoletini when he was injured and was a great contributor on special teams. Carson Stambene, if he can remain healthy, has excellent potential and can also contribute to this talented group in 2014.

The top freshmen prospects are highly recruited Micah Tietz from Springbank High School and James Gaetz from Henry Wise Wood High School. Tietz was a member of Team Canada U19 team this past year. While Gaetz participated in the Montana High School Shrine Senior Bowl, one of only two Canadians to do so in 2013.