SEASON PREVIEW: Gee-Gees football players tee up big 2023 season
Gee-Gees football training camp in full swing with the 2023 season opener on the horizon this upcoming Sunday, Aug. 27 at TD Place against Waterloo.
This year's season preview turns the reins over to the players, who will provide first-hand insight to the work underway for the upcoming season.
On expectations for the year:
"Coming into this season, it's all about finishing in the playoffs and getting in that final game. We're building week-to-week, learning from everything we're doing. We understand that this group hasn't played their best game yet, last year included, and that's an exciting opportunity. When we do play our best game, I can guarantee we will win." – Ben Maracle, quarterback.
On how the defence and team is shaping up heading into the season:
"I like where the team is at, I think we're well conditioned and we're flying around to the ball. Now it's about executing and doing our job. We always talk about being the best you, and if we can get 30 guys to get 10 percent better, we get a lot better as a team." – Harnoor Dhaliwal, safety.
On how the 2023 offence is coming together:
"We had a lot of success last year, and now we're building on that this year. Ben and I, along with the other receivers, put in a lot of work and everything is clicking together. The job isn't even close to done, we had a pretty sour loss in the playoffs last year, we remember that, and we've been working hard all summer long on the road to get that Vanier." – Nicholas Gendron, 2022 team-leader in receiving yards.
On bringing CFL experience into camp:
"I'm super excited to be back, I just love playing this game. It was great when I was out in Winnipeg, they have a great winning culture, so I'm going to try to bring some of the stuff I learned out there back here." – Max Charbonneau, linebacker and 2023 Winnipeg Blue Bombers draft pick.
On following up a 2022 U SPORTS All-Canadian campaign:
"It's been a long offseason, but now I'm excited to a chance to show that last year wasn't a fluke, and show that I can do it again, not for myself, but for the team. Helping lead the team, be a key part of this defence, and help us get a Vanier Cup." – Emmanuel Aboagye-Gyan, linebacker.
On the tight-knit relationship of a promising Ottawa offensive line:
"It's especially important compared to the other groups, we work five-as-one. We don't have any statistics, so the only thing we really have is community and family with the other guys. It's really important." – Tristan Fortin, offensive lineman and 2022 OUA Second Team All-Star.
On stopping the run:
"The OUA is a huge run conference, but I'm very confident in our front seven that we can go up against anyone in the conference. We know we all have to be on the same page, and when that happens, we know it's going to be a good day." – Riley Hildebrandt, defensive lineman.
2023 Team Breakdown:
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: Seven
Key returning players: Ben Maracle (QB), Amlicar Polk (RB), Nicholas Gendron (REC), Tristan Fortin (OL), Kevin Beauchamp (OL), Samuel St-Jean (OL), Maxim Malenfant (REC)
Key recruits or transfers: Robin Collioud (REC), Kerwin Guiste (WR – Transfer: Carleton)
Key losses: J-P Cimankinda (RB), Daniel Oladejo (REC), James du Manoir (OL)
DEFENCE
Number of returning starters: Nine
Key returning players: Kevin Victome (DB), Emmanuel Aboagye-Gyan (SAM), Max Charbonneau (LB), Eric Cumberbatch (DB), Riley Hildebrandt (DL), Harnoor Dhaliwal (DB), Kevin Anderson (DE), Baptiste Pollier (DE)
Key recruits or transfers: Nassim Regragui (LB), Louis Prince (DE)
Key losses: James Peter (LB), Michael Pezzuto (DE)
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players: Campbell Fair (K/P), Charles Asselin (KR/PR), Desmond Pelto (LS)
Key losses: N/A