Could Warriors actually win?
WATERLOO — They are tossing around the ‘W’ word at Warrior Field.
After two years of nothing but losses — that’s 16 straight for those scoring at home — University of Waterloo head coach Chris Bertoia believes this year’s squad has what it takes to experience a taste or two of gridiron glory. Yes, he’s talking wins. The Warriors open their Ontario University Athletics regular-season football schedule Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.) against the host Windsor Lancers, a game Bertoia places in the winnable category.
“I’m not necessarily into making predictions on what our record is going to be, but I am definitely optimistic that we’re going to win some games this year,” he said. “We need to start winning games against Windsor, Toronto, York, the kind of teams that have had some success, but not a ton of it. That’s how we turn the corner.”
The Warriors have been in rebuild mode since Bertoia took over the program after the 2014 season and the fruits of his labour have been evident at training camp. Elite recruits have lived up to expectations, returning players have stepped up their games and competition for starting and backup spots is as stiff as it’s been in a very long time.
The Warriors unveiled their 38-member recruiting class earlier and several of those players will see action against Windsor, including highly recruited quarterback Tre Ford from A.N. Myer in Niagara Falls. Ford has been splitting reps with incumbent pivot Lucas McConnell (Waterford) in practice and both will get their shot at running the offence Sunday.
Ford’s twin brother, Tyrell, has also been a standout at camp and is likely to get the starting nod at cornerback.
Receiver Gordon Lam (Kitchener, St. Catharines RICC Prep), is another freshman who has impressed, while reigning District 8 MVP Justin Henderson (Waterloo, St. David) was recently moved from quarterback to defensive back and is in the mix to dress against Windsor.
“It’s nice when you recruit guys and they live up to the billing,” said Bertoia.
Kurtis Gray (Waterloo, Resurrection) and Michael Reid (Sault Ste. Marie) are two such players. Both linebackers enjoyed strong freshmen campaigns and will be counted on to continue progressing on a UW defence that gave up a whopping 54.4 points per game last season.
Fifth-year defensive end Paul Kaija (Sarnia) is another key piece of the defensive puzzle, along with fifth-year linebacker Brandon Corelli (Sault Ste. Marie), third-year defensive back Lautaro Frecha (Sault Ste. Marie), and fourth-year free safety Shaquille Sealy (London).
Tre Ford and McConnell have several good options on offence, including the running back tandem of Brandon Metz (Cambridge, St. Francis Prep) and Dion Pellerin (Abbotsford, B.C.).
Richmond Nketiah (Brampton), Mitch Kernick (Elmira), Tyler Ternowski (Hamilton) and Lam will lead the receiving corps, while offensive linemen Jesse Gibbon (Hamilton) and Ben Koczwara (London) will lead the way at the front.
Waterloo’s offence produced just 9.6 points per game last season, so there’s nowhere to go but up.
The numbers haven’t been kind to Warriors in recent years.
But Bertoia said this year’s training camp, which featured several intense battles at key positions, demonstrated how the program is going in the right direction.
An intersquad game against the Western Mustangs last weekend also offered encouragement for coaches and players alike.
“A very positive training camp … the competitiveness, the tempo, the positivity, the culture, everything has kind of gone the way that we had hoped it would over this whole building process,” said Bertoia.
“Our depth isn’t where it needs to be to be a Yates Cup champion.
“But I think our guys see the light at the end of the tunnel and truly believe that if we stay the course, we’re going to turn a corner this year.”
The Warriors host the York Lions on Labour Day and the Toronto Varsity Blues just five days later.