2017 Axemen Football Season Preview
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Dealing with injuries will not be part of the Football Axemen’s game plan this season. After a frustrating 2016 season, where head coach Jeff Cummins dipped deep into his roster, this season so far has been a refreshing experience following Acadia’s first exhibition game.
WOLFVILLE, N.S. – Dealing with injuries will not be part of the Football Axemen's game plan this season.
After a frustrating 2016 season, where head coach Jeff Cummins dipped deep into his roster, this season so far has been a refreshing experience following Acadia's first exhibition game.
While the Axemen loss 20-17 to the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies in a torrential down pour for the most part of the second half of the game, Cummins is happy with his team's show this past Saturday.
"I thought we played well. We had enough mistakes in the game to create some teachable moments. We had some opportunities for big plays. Our young kids played well," said Cummins.
The team sustained minimal injuries this past exhibition game and after a long training camp in the heat, Cummins is happy that the Axemen can head into the 2017 AUS season with pretty much a full lineup.
Senior pivot Cody Cluett returns for his fifth and final season. Cluett didn't dress for the exhibition game and Cummins' pointed out that he's a proven veteran.
"We felt he didn't need to prove anything to us and this was an opportunity to see the play of three young quarterbacks", noted Cummins.
Of the four quarterbacks in camp, second year Axeman Hunter Guenard (Calgary, Alta.) got the starting call this past weekend in exhibition play. Guenard was quickly replaced by Alex Lawrie (due to a minor injury). Lawrie finished the game with six completions for 68 yards and one touchdown toss. Rookie Mason Brown, son of past Axeman Jeff Brown, completed one pass for a 41 yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
The young receiving core will have their challenges with only veteran Brad Vince posting some significant playing time last season. Veteran receivers Sabastian Robinson and Eli Prochnau are lost due to graduation, but Glodin Mulai (Moncton, N.B.) and Scott Watson (Montreal, Que.) hope to crack the starting line up as promising first year receivers.
An offensive line that was decimated with injuries last season returns with 13 players with game experience. The offensive line along with the return of three key running backs including Danny Obiang (Ottawa, Ont.), Cameron Davidson (Kentville, N.S.) and Dale Wright (Markham, Ont.) will be the strength of this year's offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, four returning senior linemen will anchor the Axemen's defense. AUS All-Star lineman Adam Melanson (Kentville, N.S.) will hope to have a positive influence on the defensive effort and on brother Isaac. Isaac, a transfer from Guelph University, is unable to play in the first two weeks of the regular season for eligibility matters as a transfer, will add depth to an already defensive line.
The linebackers are an added strength to the defensive unit. Returning for their senior year, Jesse Boudreau (Bedford, N.S.) and Matthew Nettle (Halifax, N.S.), are both strong on defending the run and pass. Boudreau, the leading tackler last season for the Axemen with 44.5 tackles, returns for his fourth season, while Nettle, who missed last season, returns for his fifth and final kick at the can.
Free safety Brandon Jennings (St. Albert, Alta.) was the most decorated Axeman last season with several accolades including being named as an AUS All-Star and second team U SPORTS All-Canadian. One of the top free safeties in the country, Jennings also handled the punting and field goal kicking duties last season. Jennings had 10 field goals last season.
Lockdown corner Garvin Cius (Malden, MA) returns for his fourth season and second year corner Connor Rasch (Calgary, AB) hopes to slide into the starting role on the opposite corner position. Harland Hastings and Will Wojcik, key components to last year's secondary graduated this past spring.
"We're excited to get another season of Acadia Football underway! If we stay healthy and continue to improve throughout the season we will put ourselves in position for good things to happen. With a strong returning group and some talented rookies we feel like we will be an exciting team to watch in 2017," concluded Cummins.
The Axemen open the regular season on the road as they visit Sackville, N.B., to take on the host Mount Allison Mounties. Your first view of the Axemen on Acadia's Raymond Field is on Saturday September 2 at 4:00 pm with the Axemen hosting the AUS's newest addition, the Bishop's Gaiters.