2013 Ottawa Sooners All-Stars

The Ontario Football Conference named its All-Star Team last week and the following Ottawa Sooners made the cut!

57 Stéphane Tanguay (OL)
64 Noah Domingue (OL)
4 Mathew Mondoux (RB)
10 Steve Dignard (DL)
23 Cody Valle (DB)

Dignard was also named the Conference's defensive lineman of the year, no doubt in large part due to his 10.5 quarterback sacks.  He had an additional 7.5 tackles and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Mondoux gained 807 yards on 101 carries and reached the endzone five times.  He was named the Conference's Offensive Player of the Week in week four on the strength of a 129-yard rushing game in a come-from-behind victory over the Hamilton Hurricanes.

Valle had four interceptions on the year on which he recorded 128 return yards and a score.  He also scored on one of his two fumble recoveries.

History: Ottawa Renegades Expansion Draft Results (January 17th, 2002)

The next major scheduled event on the RedBlacks calendar is the expansion draft in December.  While we wait for that, I thought it might be interesting to revisit how the Ottawa Renegades handled their own version in early 2012.

The rules were different for the Renegades.  You have likely read that existing CFL clubs will have the opportunity to protect one quarterback instead of two.  Quarterback availability was a significant issue in draft rule negotiations between OSEG and the CFL.  In hindsight (or perhaps from the time the rules were announced for the Renegades, I don't recall), it was felt that allowing teams to protect two in 2002 offered far too few options to the fledgling club.  You'll note from the list below that no QB's were selected; Dan Crowley was signed as a free agent.

Aside from making more quarterbacks available, the only other major difference between expansion drafts systems is that the RedBlacks one is more front-heavy.  The Renegades could skip making a selection from a club and instead obtain a draft pick from that club.

That's potentially helpful towards building a team in the future, but less so in terms of being competitive early.  By comparison, the RedBlacks have already been able to draft a handful of players and will get another 24 in December compared to the 19 that the Renegades gathered almost 12 years ago.

So who DID we get?  See below:

From BC:
FB Mike Maurer
WR Jimmy Oliver
2002 2nd round draft choice

From Calgary:
DT Clinton Wayne
CB Ricky Bell
LB Kelly Lochbaum

From Edmonton:
OL George Hudson
DE Fred Perry
DB Andrew Henry

From Hamilton:
LB Matt Robichaud
OT Seth Dittman
C Carl Coulter

From Montreal:
LB Kelly Wiltshire
LB John Grace
2002 2nd round draft choice

From Sask.:
S Shawn Gallant
LB Troy Asbell
2002 2nd round draft choice

From Toronto:
PK Dan Giancola
C Earl Scott**
2003 2nd round draft choice

From Winnipeg:
S Donnie Ruiz
LB Sefa O'Reilly
2003 2nd round draft choice

** Scott was later traded back to Toronto for WR Grayson Shillingford.

The jewel was clearly linebacker John Grace, who was named a league all-star following the 2002 season, yet he was traded a year later.  He teamed with Kelly Wiltshire to form the beginnings of a quality, young linebacking corp for the club.

Jimmy Oliver led the team in touchdowns (with a rather modest six, mind you) and was the team's first 1000-yard receiver.  He did not return in 2003 due to a contract dispute.

Fred Perry spent the 2002 season in Atlanta, but when he finally did appear in 2003, he tied for the team lead in quarterback sacks with seven.

From memory, George Hudson and Donnie Ruiz would be the only two players to be with the team during its entire four-year existence.

Several players were complete non-contributors.  O'Reilly was damaged goods.  Robichaud only played in three games and I seem to recall that he wanted nothing to do with being in Ottawa. Giancola is also a one-game guy.  I believe Kelly Lochbaum didn't make it through camp and returned to the BC Lions, playing with them through to 2005.  Andrew Henry seemed to simply disappear.

So some good, some bad, come middle ground.

Frankly, I think a more competent coaching staff could have drawn more from what was obtained.  Aside from the QB situation, it seems like the problem with a future-based expansion system is that you need the actual players selected to contribute long enough for your draft picks and young free agent signees to get up to speed.

In the case of the Renegades, most of the successful expansion draft choices were gone within two seasons and future drafts were largely unproductive.

Panda Game 2013: UOttawa 35, Carleton 10

I waited a bit before posting a recap of Saturday's Panda Game so that I could judge the reaction.  The abbreviated article below is from the Ottawa Citizen and seems to cover all the bases.

OTTAWA — The Carleton Ravens didn’t have much business being in the Panda Game, but they were.

A record-tying 129-yard touchdown by Tunde Adeleke on the return of a missed field goal attempt got the Ravens within four points of the Ottawa Gee-Gees, at 14-10, midway through the second quarter.

That was all the Gee-Gees were willing to grant the Ravens, though. A drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Colbon to Andrew Mullings extended that lead just before halftime, and Ottawa’s defence did the rest, shutting down Carleton’s offence in what turned out to be a 35-10 victory in the Ontario University Athletics game at U of O’s Lees Avenue stadium on Saturday.

“It’s awesome having this rivalry in the city back,” said Colbon, a quarterback in his fifth and final university football season, but, just like every other player on the field, a Panda Game novice because it was the first such contest since 1998. That was when Carleton dropped football for financial reasons, and it was only this year, following a $5-million fundraising effort, that the Ravens were back on the football field.

“It’s great for the city, it’s great for the fans, it’s great for the two teams, Ottawa and Carleton, to have this healthy rivalry back,” Colbon added. “There’s just so much tradition behind this game. I feel honoured to have a chance to play in it.”

Tradition was fine, but there was a touch of revenge in the voice of receiver Simon Le Marquand, too.

“There that was a lot of emotion in that game. It’s personal,” Le Marquand, another fifth-year player, said in reference to the Ravens’ hiring away former Gee-Gees head coach J.P. Asselin (as offensive co-ordinator), offensive co-ordinator Chris Coulson (offensive line coach), defensive co-ordinator Sean Hall (defensive backs), video and quality control coach Chris Brzozowski (running backs) and even a former Ottawa quarterback Josh Sacobie (receivers).

“They took our coaching staff, and we remember when they left and we were left behind by ourselves. That was our motivation (Saturday).”

Le Marquand used his motivation to turn his two catches into touchdowns of 18 and six yards on throws from Colbon, who also made the short, but key scoring toss to Mullings and also ran eight yards on a quarterback draw for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Ottawa’s other score came early on a one-yard plunge by Brendan Gillanders, whose biggest contribution on the drive was to pick up a fumble by Colbon, who had been sacked on the second play from scrimmage, and to rumble for 30 yards.

The Ravens got on the scoreboard following an interception by Nathaniel Hamlin. Their offence stalled at the 10-yard line, but Andrew Banerjee made a 17-yard field goal to make the score 14-3.

Then came the stunning touchdown by Adeleke, whose return on a miss by Lewis Ward tied the Canadian Interuniversity Sport record and was only the third such feat.

...

Adeleke’s interception came on what could only be described as a gadget play by the Gee-Gees. On second-and-goal from the one-yard line, Colbon took the snap, turned away from the line of scrimmage as if to hand the ball to a running back, but then flipped the ball back over his head and into the end-zone. It was easily caught by Adeleke.

Gee-Gees head coach Jamie Barresi said it had been his call.

“I’ve seen it work,” he said, “and it was something I promised our players we would do.”

...

Ottawa racked up 356 yards rushing, including 164 by Gillanders on 17 carries, and another 316 yards passing. Colbon, playing with a bandaged right thumb that had been dislocated two weeks earlier, was 21-for-29 for 295 yards and those three touchdowns, but he was also sacked four times.

Carleton had just 91 yards net rushing, which was actually two yards less than the total produced by Kwasi Gyamfi-Adusei. Quarterback Jesse Mills passed 13-for-23 for 154 yards, and he was sacked twice.

The capacity crowd of approximately 4,200 included more than 20 former Gee-Gees and Ravens who played in the first Panda Game in 1955 — Carleton won that one 14-6 — and one streaker, who jumped over a barrier near the U of O student section and ran the length of the field before being caught by security personnel.

This was a great event. It was my first time at the new field and thought the facility was great and easy to find.

The Citizen had another article, by Don Campbell, which made the point that the Panda Game was about football and not the frenzy.  I couldn't agree more.  The crowd at my end (about the 25 yard line on the Gee-Gees side) was crazy loud but they weren't more preoccupied with displaying how wasted they were than with the game.

A year or two ago, I had a guy fall on me from a couple of rows up during the Gee-Gees home opener.  Police presence increased throughout the day because of fighting, etc.  There was none of that this time around.  This Panda crowd could have given lessons on how to have fun at a game without ruining it for anyone else.  A streaker?  Big damn deal.

On the field, Adeleke's field goal return alone was worth the price of admission.  Aside from how spectacular the play was in terms of effort, it kept the game close until the Gee-Gees score at the end of the first half made it seem like Carleton might struggle to get back into it.

As far as the blind backwards pass goes...wow.  Gee-Gees Head Coach Jamie Barresi says that it was not done for the sake of gamesmanship but it's difficult to imagine the Gee-Gees pulling a stunt like that against Western.  But then I read Le Marquand's comments about the players feeling left behind by departing coaches and I find it hard to not sympathise with their possible urge to raise a middle finger.  Ultimately, I'm a little torn.

What I do know is that this is the kind of thing that makes rivalries great.

Flashback, June 8th, 2013: Ottawa Officially Announces REDBLACKS As Team Name

Full disclosure:  I hate the RedBlacks name quite strongly.  However, no matter how much that may be, there's no denying that the naming event itself was a success.

Here's the official press release, followed by the video explaining the name.

OTTAWA -- Ottawa’s new CFL team today announced that REDBLACKS will be the team’s official nickname and the logo will be a classic R on a background that represents a saw blade.  The announcement and logo reveal took place during a special event with over 3,000 football fans, Ottawa CFL alumni and special guests including CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon and CFL Hall of Famers Russ Jackson and Tony Gabriel in attendance.

“We are thrilled to confirm our team nick name and logo design and to finally be able to tell the story behind them,” said Jeff Hunt, President of the sports division of the REDBLACKS parent company, Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG).  “REDBLACKS represents Ottawa’s sports history and pays tribute to the Ottawa men and women who serve our country.  From the original Rough Riders in the 1890’s to the modern Ottawa Senators Hockey Club, red and black are the colours of Ottawa sport.  They are also the ceremonial colours of Ottawa’s Cameron Highlanders, the Governor General’s Foot Guards and the RCMP.  REDBLACKS gives us the opportunity to recognize our past and, at the same time, establish a fresh new identity for our team’s future.  It’s unique, maybe even a little edgy, and it’s a brand that we think will stand the test of time.”

“The REDBLACKS logo design pays tribute to our Ottawa football past by reviving the traditional “R” of the Rough Riders with a slight difference,” said REDBLACKS Governor and OSEG Partner John Ruddy.  “The modern REDBLACKS “R” features two notches, which appear to have been cut with a saw, fused to a circular saw blade background.  The blade represents many of the characteristics we hope our players will demonstrate; speed, unstoppable  force, precision, balance, strong-as-steel and even dangerous.  It also has a relationship to Ottawa’s founding as a lumber industry town."

"This is a great day for the city of Ottawa and the entire region, and a great day for the CFL," said Mark Cohon, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League.  "The REDBLACKS, with strong local ownership and passionate fans, will be an organization we can all be proud of, on and off the field. And they will be at the heart of the modern CFL we're building together, with new stadiums across the country, a new TV deal that kicks in next season, and a future that is bright and bold and confident."

This is a good opportunity to add the official RedBlacks youtube channel among the pages at right, so I'll be doing that.  At least for the time being, the entire presentation is available from the cfltv account, though please note that because the event was delayed, the footage actually only starts at about the 17:00 mark.

I showed up about 15 minutes before doors opened, so when people were finally being let in, I had a good opportunity to take pictures without obstruction.  I'll share a couple here of some of the displays that didn't get a lot of exposure among the recaps and videos.

History: The Panda Game

Hey, have you heard?  The Panda Game is this week!

As good a time as any to restore my previous Panda Game page. I believe all scores are accurate (obviously).  There was some confusion with certain resources because some years, Carleton and UOttawa would play twice, but only one match-up was considered the Panda Game.

Over time, I'll fill out the remaining years like I have the 50's and early 60's.  The problem there is with my own OCD.  I have an irrational need to do them in order and I was unable to find a recap of the 1962 game.  I'll probably get to the library at some point this winter and start filling gaps.

For those going to the game, Enjoy!  I certainly plan to.

From "Ottawa's Football Tradition": The friendly rivalry between Ottawa's two largest universities is at least 50 years old, and has it foundations in a little stuffed Panda bear...Pedro became a football ambassador.  He travelled to nine different universities across Canada and parts of the United States.  Pedro has been parachuted into Lansdowne Park, kidnapped and held hostage by Queen's University's PLO (Panda Liberation Front), buried in a soccer field, nominated for President of the Carleton University Students Association, formally mentionned in a debate in the House of Commons, appeared on "Hockey Night in Canada" and transported to the game in an armored Brinks truck.

1998- University of Ottawa 59, Carleton University 17
1997- University of Ottawa 22, Carleton University 19
1996- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 00
1995- University of Ottawa 35, Carleton University 08
1994- University of Ottawa 15, Carleton University 27
1993- University of Ottawa 21, Carleton University 03
1992- University of Ottawa 17, Carleton University 06
1991- University of Ottawa 34, Carleton University 15
1990- University of Ottawa 30, Carleton University 17
1989- University of Ottawa 23, Carleton University 11
1988- University of Ottawa 29, Carleton University 09
1987- University of Ottawa 04, Carleton University 08
1986- University of Ottawa 30, Carleton University 29
1985- University of Ottawa 27, Carleton University 34
1984- University of Ottawa 18, Carleton University 30
1983- University of Ottawa 23, Carleton University 28
1982- University of Ottawa 19, Carleton University 07
1981- University of Ottawa 29, Carleton University 00
1980- University of Ottawa 21, Carleton University 30
1979- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 16
1978- University of Ottawa 13, Carleton University 24
1977- University of Ottawa 16, Carleton University 36
1976- University of Ottawa 19, Carleton University 14
1975- University of Ottawa 55, Carleton University 22
1974- University of Ottawa 48, Carleton University 07
1973- University of Ottawa 21, Carleton University 14
1972- University of Ottawa 31, Carleton University 14
1971- University of Ottawa 14, Carleton University 28
1970- University of Ottawa 29, Carleton University 20
1969- University of Ottawa 20, Carleton University 21
1968- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 27
1967- University of Ottawa 36, Carleton University 20
1966- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 13
1965- University of Ottawa 27, Carleton University 19
1964- University of Ottawa 33, Carleton University 40
1963- University of Ottawa 41, Carleton University 21

1962- University of Ottawa 13, Carleton University 10
There were some concerns as to whether Pedro would be available.

1961- University of Ottawa 13, Carleton University 12
Ottawa Citizen - (Peter) Barnabe's third quarter single gave the Varsity Gee-Gee's a 13-12 decision...GeeGee's took the lead in the first quarter on a line plunge by speedy Derek Callan.  Carleton lost the game when the winners capitalized on a fumble with Mike blain going nine yards for their second touchdown.

1960- University of Ottawa 28, Carleton University 06
Ottawa Citizen (uncredited) - (Bill) McIntyre...figured in on all four majors picked up by the Gee-Gees and for the second  straight week scored three times.  He passes to Pete Barnabe for the fourth...Pilfering (Pedro) this time were a couple who posed as newshawks seeking a story."

Pedro was busy at both ends of the calendar in 1960.  He attended the opening of the U of O carnival in January and had to be rescued from McMaster university in December.

1959- University of Ottawa 42, Carleton University 00
Ross Peterkin, Ottawa Citizen - "Bill McIntyre...started the 1959 season in fine style with a three touchdown performance.  Mcintyre...managed to churn out 164 yards on 16 carries.  Pedro the Panda...met with defeat at the hands of eager Carleton supporters during the halftime intermission.  The panda, which enjoyed a tour of Canadian colleges and unversities last year, had its head removed by the roughians...Chris Nowakowski was easily Carleton's top ball player.  The Ashbury graduate was in on almost every tackle and was a tired boy when the game finished...U of O found holes through Carleton's line for 415 yards on the ground and added another 97 passing.  Carleton was held to 97 yards on the ground, 38 through the air."

1958- University of Ottawa 23, Carleton University 00
Ron McGrath, Ottawa Citizen - "(Bill) McIntyre scored two touchdowns, added a pair of converts, and Claude Lauriault scored an opening major as the Gee-Gees mesmerized the hapless Ravens...Carleton did not complete a single pass..."

1957- University of Ottawa 44, Carleton University 00
Ron McGrath, Ottawa Citizen - "(Dick) Barch and (Claude) Lauriault collected a pair of touchdowns apiece, while (Bill) McIntyre and Paul De Le Franier got the others...In the final analysis, weak and sometimes non-existent tackling hampered the Raven defence, while the Varsity defence were efficient to an extreme, forcing Carleton to give up the ball three times on third down gambles.

1956- University of Ottawa 10, Carleton University 14
Ottawa Journal (writer not identified) - "Carleton roared back with a converted touchdown in the second quarter to lead 7-2 at the half.  Connie Poulin...scored the major on a three-yard dive over centre....Varsity quarterback Jack Richardson capped a 59-yard march for the losers by skirting his own right end on an option play from 15 yards out...Poulin got that one back with a two-yard plunge for his second TD of the day."

1955- University of Ottawa 06, Carleton University 14
Bernie Nells, Ottawa Citizen -"Wally Lacosta, the Ravens' outstanding tackle, paced the Carleton scoring attack with pair of field goals and one convert, while Bobby Anderson scored a touchdown and Brian Turner booted two singles...The Ravens' only touchdown of the game came when they recovered a bad U of O snap and quarterback Gordon Johnston heaved a 25-yard pass to Anderson in the endzone."

Thursday Night Lights?

The high school football season got underway last week, rather quietly.

Fatdog.ca is about the best resource for this level of play.  The "football" tab was removed from the site recently, usually a sign that the schedule is going up, but by the time I saw it again, a few games had been played.

Thursday - Sep. 19, 2013
Franco Cite 07 @ St. Peter 27
Mother Teresa 16 @ Holy Trinity 04

Friday - Sep. 20, 2013
St. Mark 00 @ Sir Wilfrid Laurier 28
Immaculata 07 @ St. Joseph 48

There are 16 teams competing (pretty standard) across town.  If I understand correctly, the clubs playing at the AAA/AAAA level (St. Peter, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, St. Patrick, St.Mark) can compete provincially in the OFSAA Bowl Series in Toronto.

There are a couple of other things I've noticed about the schedule.  At first, I was disappointed to see that United Way Day seemed to be a thing of the past.  Every year, on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, 16 teams would converge on St. Joseph High School to play eight games on two fields from 9AM to about 7PM.  As much football as you can handle and fundraising for the United Way at the same time.  Always a fun time.

I eventually clued in that the event is still on, but the Thursday following Thanksgiving instead.  Here is the schedule for that day.

Colonel By @ St. Pius -- 10:00am at St. Joseph
Garneau @ Longfields DHS -- 10:00am at St. Joseph
Philemon Wright @ St. Matthew -- 12:00am at St. Matthew
Holy Trinity @ St. Joseph -- 12:00am at St. Joseph
St. Mark @ Franco Cite -- 2:00pm at St. Joseph   
St. Peter @ Sir Wilfrid Laurier --2:00pm at St. Joseph
Mother Teresa @ St. Patrick -- 7:30pm at Millenium Field

Things seem to have changed a little, probably for logistical reasons.  Previously, one game would start at 9AM on field one, then another on field two an hour later, and so on.  When the first game ended, the third would start on field one, and so on.  Now they all appear to start at the same times.  I can only assume that the Philemon Wright "at" St. Matthew location being listed as being played at St. Matthew is an error.

I doubt that the last game's location is an error though.  It seems that there's a game every Thursday evening now, something that was a rarity in the recent past.

So here's your Thursday night schedule now (not including the Mother Teresa/St. Patrick match-up from above).

Sep 26th: St. Joseph @ Mother Teresa 7:00pm at Bob Stevens Field
Oct  3rd: St. Patrick  @ St. Peter   7:30pm at Millenium Field
Oct 10th: St. Mark @ Holy Trinity    7:00pm at Bob Stevens Field
Oct 24th: St. Joseph @ St. Peter     7:30pm at Millenium Field

So people now have more opportunities to catch these teams in action.

Flashback, May 29th, 2013: Desjardins names Sunderland Ottawa's Assistant GM

Not much to add; If Sunderland was with the Montreal Alouettes prior to his Jets experience, then his path and Desjardins' would have crossed during that time.  Since Jeremy Snyder spent the last three seasons with the Alouettes, that makes only Miles Gorrell the only front office member to not have spent a significant portion of his career with Montréal.

In 2004, the Alouettes posted a 14-4 regular season.  In 2005 they were 10-8 and lost the Grey Cup to Edmonton in overtime.

OTTAWA -- Ottawa’s new Canadian Football League franchise today announced that Brock Sunderland has been appointed Assistant General Manager.

Sunderland, now in his 10th season in professional football, will be involved in all facets of football operations including scouting and player contracts.

“I’m delighted to welcome Brock to our organization” said team General Manager Marcel Desjardins.

“He brings a wealth of experience and a proven eye for talent that will be invaluable to our organization as we evaluate players and build our team for the 2014 season.”

Prior to joining the Ottawa franchise, Sunderland spent six seasons with the NFL’s New York Jets in scouting roles, most recently covering college players in the western United States.

He also served as an advance pro scout, preparing reports for the Jets on upcoming opponents.  Prior to joining the Jets, Sunderland spent three seasons with the Montreal Alouettes where he was promoted to Director of Scouting after serving as a professional and amateur scout.

“I consider myself very fortunate to be able to return to the Canadian Football League and specifically to Ottawa,” said Sunderland.  “I'm looking forward to helping build a team from the ground up with people who are well respected in this industry.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

A native of Great Falls Montana, Sunderland was a wide receiver and punt returner for the University of Montana before knee injuries ended his playing career. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications.

Team Profile: Nepean Redskins

Not surprisingly, this post is "inspired" by the pending departure of the Redskins name for the Nepean NCAFA club.  That will apparently be announced officially tomorrow, so I'll hold off copying any articles and such until then.

The Redskins were born as the Barrhaven Buccaneers in August of 1978, playing at the Mosquito level.  The team changed its name to Redskins in 1983 and gradually added age levels over the years.  The midget level in particular was added in 2002.

The undefeated 2005 team has been, to this point, the most dominant in the brief history of the midget level in NCAFA.  I had recorded their roster, award winners, etc and will see if I can locate that again in something of a tribute page.  I'll also get my hands on 2012 scores at some point.

2003, 2005, 2010 NCAFA Midget Champions
(Est. 1978)

2011 Schedule (04-04)
Aug 27th: @ Norsemen      (W 20-00)
Sep  2nd: vs Colts        (W 04-01)
Sep  9th: vs Knights      (W 31-00)
Sep 21st: vs Bengals      (L 00-06)
Sep 25th: vs Norsemen     (L 10-14)
Oct  2nd: @ Colts         (W 20-07)
Oct  9th: @ Bengals       (L 00-14)
Oct 14th: @ Knights       (L 00-06)

Oct 28th: vs Colts        (W 23-13)
Nov 4th: at Bengals       (L 00-21)(Championship Game)


2010 Results (06-01)
Aug 20th: @ Norsemen      (W 27-20)
Aug 27th: vs Colts        (W 17-07)
Sep 12th: @ Dukes         (W 14-00)
Sep 17th: vs Stampeders   (W 33-07)
Sep 22nd: vs Norsemen     (L 16-18)
Sep 26th: @ Colts         (W 34-08)
Oct  1st: vs Dukes        (W 28-00)
Oct 17th: @ Stampeders    (W 01-00)

Oct 24th: vs Colts        (W 56-14)
Oct 29th: vs Norsemen     (W 14-07)


2009 Results (05-03)
Aug 28th: @ Norsemen      (W 18-03)
Sep  4th: vs Colts        (W 23-14)
Sep  9th: vs Mustangs     (L 28-54)
Sep 18th: @ Mustangs      (L 13-25)
Sep 25th: @ Colts         (W 23-00)
Oct  4th: @ Dukes         (L 14-20)
Oct  9th: vs Norsemen     (W 28-00)
Oct 14th: vs Dukes        (W 14-06)

Oct 23rd: Orleans Dukes 35, Nepean Redskins 10 (Playoff)


2008 Results (02-06)
Sep  5th: vs Dukes        (L 13-28)
Sep 12th: vs Norsemen     (W 34-07)
Sep 19th: @ Colts         (W 27-08)
Sep 26th: @ Mustangs      (L 26-34)
Oct  8th: @ Norsemen      (L 08-33)
Oct 13th: @ Dukes         (L 14-35)
Oct 17th: vs Mustangs     (L 06-19)
Oct 24th: vs Colts        (L 06-25)

Orleans Dukes 46, Nepean Redskins 14      (Playoff)


2007 Results (04-04)
Aug 31st: @ Norsemen      (L 00-25)
Sep  5th: vs Knights      (L 15-18)
Sep 14th: @ Colts         (W 21-08)
Sep 22th: vs Dukes        (W 12-08)
Sep 28th: vs Norsemen     (L 13-17)
Oct  8th: @ Knights       (W 37-14)
Oct 17th: vs Colts        (L 00-21)
Oct 21th: @ Dukes         (W 14-07)

Nepean Redskins 22, Orleans Dukes 15     (Semi)
Bel Air Norsemen 28, Nepean Redskins 14  (Championship Game)


2006 Results (09-01)(Specific dates not available)
Aug 26-27:  Redskins 15, Mustangs 07
Sep 01-04:  Redskins 26, Dukes 00
Sep 09-10:  Knights 03, Redskins 02
Sep 16-17:  Redskins 32, Colts 22
Sep 22-24:  Redskins 34, Dukes 00
Sep 29-Oct 1st:  Redskins 20, Norsemen 07
Sep 29-Oct 1st:  Redskins 43, Colts 03
Oct 06-09:  Redskins 34, Mustangs 00
Oct 13-15:  Redskins 22, Knights 07
Oct 20-22:  Redskins 07, Norsemen 05

Oct 27-29:  Redskins 31, Mustangs 00 (Semi)
Nov 01-05:  Norsemen 10, Redskins 07 (Championship)


2005 Results (10-00)(Specific dates not available)
Aug 27-28:  Redskins 33, Norsemen 00
Sep 02-05:  Redskins 43, Colts 00
Sep 09-11:  Redskins 21, Knights 14
Sep 17-18:  Redskins 24, Dukes 02
Sep 23-25:  Redskins 30, Mustangs 07
Sep 30-Oct 2nd: Redskins 21, Norsemen 08
Oct 05-10:  Redskins 21, Knights 00
Oct 05-10:  Redskins 30, Mustangs 07
Oct 14-16:  Redskins 01, Colts 00
Oct 20-23:  Redskins 35, Dukes 07

Oct 28-30:  Redskins 37, Mustangs 00 (Semi)
Nov 07-08:  Redskins 28, Norsemen 03 (Championship)


2004 Results (04-04)(Specific dates not available)
Sep 04-06:  Redskins 26, Norsemen 20
Sep 11-12:  Colts 33, Redskins 19
Sep 17-19:  Redskins 16, Knights 13
Sep 22-26:  Redskins 24, Mustangs 13 (game continued from Aug. 28-28) Mustangs 23, Redskins 14
Sep 29-Oct 03:  Redskins 35, Dukes 16
Oct 15-17:  Knights 20, Redskins 07
Oct 22-24:  Colts 46, Redskins 28

Oct 30-31:  Redskins 28, Knights 21  (Semi)
Nov 02-07:  Colts 48, Redskins 43    (Championship)


2003 Results (07-01)
Aug 30th:  vs Ottawa Colts        (W 49-21)
Sep  6th:  vs Gloucester Dukes    (W 28-18)
Sep 12th:  at Kanata Knights      (W 27-07)
Sep 20th:  at Bel Air Norsemen    (L 20-21)
Oct  1st:  at Ottawa Colts        (W 35-15)
Oct  5th:  at Gloucester Dukes    (W 27-17)
Oct 11th:  vs Bel Air Norsemen    (W 28-21)
Oct 18th:  vs Kanata Knights      (W 24-07)

Nepean Redskins 30, Kanata Knights 12   (Semi)
Nepean Redskins 16, Bel-Air Norsemen 08 (Championship Game)


2002 Results (07-01)
Aug 23-25:     Redskins 28, Norsemen 13
Aug 31-Sep 02: Redskins 62, Colts 00
Sep 06-08:     Redskins 15, Knights 00
Sep 20-21:     Dukes 30, Redskins 14
Sep 27-29:     Redskins 40, Colts 00
Oct 04-05:     Redskins 20, Norsemen 06
Oct 11-14:     Redskins 41, Knights 01
Oct 26-27:     Redskins 14, Dukes 05

Nov   2nd:     Redskins 22, Norsemen 18 (Semi)
Nov  10th:     Dukes 23, Redskins 15    (Championship Game)

Flashback, March 15th, 2013: Snyder, Gorrell and Covington hired

I originally tried to do these key events chronologically but, perhaps due to eagerness to get to the player personnel part of things, I skipped over some front office appointments from this past spring. Here they are:

March 15, 2013 (Ottawa ON.): Ottawa’s new CFL team today announced the appointment of two football veterans to the organization. Jeremy Snyder joins the team from the Montreal Alouettes as Pro/College Scout, and Miles Gorrell has been hired as Scouting Consultant.

“Both of these individuals will be key members of our football operations staff as we prepare to draft and sign players,” said Ottawa’s General Manager, Marcel Desjardins. “Jeremy has the ability to identify talent at the pro and college levels, both in Canada and the United States, and his administrative background will be invaluable to our Football Operations structure. Miles will focus primarily on the CFL and the upcoming CFL Draft. His hands-on approach to scouting and his ability to get to know prospects on a personal level will be of tremendous benefit to our organization.”

Miles Gorrell, an Ottawa U Gee Gee’s alumnus, is best known for his stellar 18-season career as an offensive lineman with five CFL teams, including the 1982 Ottawa Rough Riders. Since 2005, he served as a player personnel assistant with the Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts. Gorrell, a perennial CFL Eastern All-Star and two-time winner of the Leo Dandurand Trophy, will be inducted into the CFL Hall of Fame this September.

For the last three seasons, Jeremy Snyder scouted for the Montreal Alouettes. He prepared strategic advance scouting reports on opposing teams and assessed talent on US college and NFL rosters. Prior to joining the Al’s, Snyder was Pro Scout for the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles, and prior to joining the Eagles he spent four seasons as Football Operations Assistant with the Chicago Bears.

The Ottawa franchise also announced the appointment of Chantal Covington as Executive Assistant, Football Operations.

Not much to add, except to point out that these guys have been busy. Here's a paragraph from an Ottawa Citizen article fom August 3rd.

(Seattle) Seahawks camp was the second of Desjardins’ eight NFL stops, mostly in the Pacific time zone; he began with the Denver Broncos. Sunderland (RR edit: more on him later) and Snyder will each visit nine camps, but Gorrell just six because he’s returning earlier than the others to oversee Canadian Interuniversity Sport teams, whose season kicks off in August.

Oh, just six for that slacker Gorrell.  :-)

Sounds like no stone is being left unturned.

Article: "Midget Knights win opener 16-6 against Nouvelles Frontieres"

Kanata Kourier-Standard - The midget Kanata Knights held their home opener on Sept. 6 in front of a packed home crowd at Robert Barr Football Field.

The Knights started off slowly in the first half allowing the Frontieres to score.

However, a determined defense, led by linebackers Sebby Mordak and Eric Ricci, DL Jasmin Dervisevic and two-way powerhouse player Nick Krzaniak, who plays both defensive back and quarterback, helped keep the score close with the Knights trailing by just 6 after the half.

Early in the third quarter, the game shifted momentum and the Knights took control.

The pounding running game of Chris Bumstead, and Brandon Farquharson put quarterback Matt Duffy in scoring position where he punched in two touchdowns and Jared Blair converted both points after touchdowns.

Evan Yourth led the receiving core with three catches for 43 yards.

Matt Duffy was also a key factor on special teams with two kick returns for 73 yards.

The defence stood strong and shut out the Frontieres for the remainder of the game. Nick Krzaniak led the defence with three interceptions, a batted ball and two assisted tackles.

Sebby Mordak was a beast recording six solo tackles and five assisted plus put the game out of reach with a safety in the forth. Julien Smit continues to be a quarterback's worst nightmare with two sacks and rookie defensive linesman Sheldon McRae recovered a fumble.