WATERLOO WARRIORS FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Waterloo Warriors - OUA
2008 regular season record: 2-6
2008 regular season standings: 9th
2008 playoff record: No Playoffs

General Write-Up:

The Warriors continue move forward building a football program that aligns their goals with that of the University of Waterloo – Excellence. Third year head coach Dennis McPhee has moulded the Warriors into a group of exceptional student-athletes striving for success that mirrors the reputation of Waterloo as the number on school in the nation (Macleans rankings).

In 2008, the Warriors were young in all areas. They are a year older and ready for competition from the top teams in the OUA. The Warriors showed glimpses of potential last year with a home-opener victory over McMaster 30-17 (in the debut of Warrior Field) and a stunning come-from-behind win on the road at Windsor, 30-29.

The Warriors will be better in 2009. They return nine starters on offence and ten on defence. They have created internal competition to prepare themselves for external competition. The coaching staff remains intact creating more continuity and understanding of systems as a whole.

On offence, the Warriors are looking to improve on their overall output. Under assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Joe Paopao, the numbers continue to rise. In 2007, the Warriors offence averaged 300 yards per game, and in 2008, they averaged close to 400 yards. "That's good improvement, but we have to get better," said coach Paopao.

Fourth year quarterback Evan Martin (Kitchener, Ont.) will be the starter for Waterloo. His maturity and experience will be key to leading the rejuvenated Warriors. Martin threw for 1564 yards in 2008, including 42 completions to wide-out Sean Cowie (Burlington, Ont.). Cowie returns for his fifth season with Waterloo. His 716 yards in receiving in 2008 ranked him sixth in the CIS. Cowie looks to add to his Warrior records of career receptions and yards by a Waterloo receiver.

Defensively, the Warriors are young but growing. Team speed is excellent. "Our players are starting to understand the systems," said head coach Dennis McPhee. "It's an evolution and there are changes that have to take place from week to week to improve. We are athletic but we also have extremely bright kids."

Second year sensation Jordan Verdone (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) is the face of the black and gold. Verdone became the first Waterloo player to be named CIS' top rookie since the Peter Gorman Trophy was first presented in 1976. His 52.5 total tackles and 44 solo tackles, ranked him second in the OUA and top six in the nation. Third year SS Mitch Nicholson (Grand Haven, MI) returns to add stability to an emerging unit in the secondary. Nicholson's 52 total tackles in 2008 ranked him 9th in the CIS.

Quote from head coach Dennis McPhee:

"There is an expectation every year to get better. There is a high level of commitment to play here at Waterloo. We are closer to raising the level of excellence athletically to the level of the University of Waterloo academically. It is a privilege not a right to play Warrior Football."

Head Coach: Dennis McPhee
- Number of seasons as head coach with team – 3rd year
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS – 5
- Career regular season record with team – 5-11
- Career regular season record in CIS – 15-17
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only) – 5-11
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only) – 17-19

Offence

Key returning players:

Evan Martin, QB (5-10 200, 4th yr. Kitchener, ON)
The offensive output has improved every year with Martin (pictured) at the helm. The coaching staff expects this trend to continue with his experience and maturity. In 2008, Martin threw for 1564 yards and five touchdowns, including a 90-yarder to Joshua Svec.

Tom Bruce OL (6-1 274, 5th yr. Kitchener, ON)
OL Tom Bruce returns for his 5th season to anchor the Waterloo offensive line. He is an exceptional leader both on and off the field for the Warriors. He will be relied upon to lead a young and developing unit up front.

Sean Cowie, REC (6-0 190, 5th yr. Burlington, ON)
REC Sean Cowie return for his 5th and final season with the black and gold. In 2008, Sean caught 42 passes for 716 yards ranking him 6th in the CIS, setting all-time Warrior records in both career catches and career total yards. He is extremely bright and a quiet leader. He is the go-to receiver and his productivity will be key for the Warriors offence.

Key recruits

Steve Lagace, RB (6-0 185, Burlington – Assumption)
Steve is a transfer from Saginaw Valley State in Michigan. His experience and maturity will have an impact immediately. He is a featured tailback with speed. He comes from a football family and the coaching staff expects him fit in and produce.

Matt Socholotiuk, RB (5-10 227, Waterford – Waterford HS)
Matt played high school football in Waterford but spent last season with the Fort Union Military Academy in West Virginia. Fort Union is a prep school that produces 20+ players per year that attend Division I in the U.S. He is a versatile back that will be able to help the Warriors running attack.

Patrick Sandlak, TE/SB (6-4 220, London – Oakridge SS)
Patrick is the son of former NHL standout Jim Sandlak. He comes from a great athletic background. Patrick is a quick learner with great hands. He has the skills and size to develop into an impact player in the OUA and CIS.

Key Losses

The Warriors will be without all-star receiver Joshua Svec, who transferred to Western for his Masters. Joshua caught 48 passes for 864 raking him second in the CIS. Waterloo also loses RB Will Oud and right tackle Marcin Dedys to graduation.

Defence

Key returning players

Jordan Verdone, LB (5-11 215, 2nd yr. Sault. Ste. Marie, Ont.)
As the reigning OUA and CIS rookie of the year, Jordan is the lynchpin of the Warrior 'D'. However, he has to continue to grow and prove he is not a one-year wonder. His lead-by-example approach has begun to rub off on his fellow teammates.

Mitch Nicholson, SS (6-3 200, 3rd yr. Grand Haven, MI)
Mitch is the leader in the secondary and was second on the team in total tackles (behind Verdone) with 52, ranking him in the top ten in the CIS in 2008. Heading into to his third season, the coaches expect him to lead this emerging unit.

Patrick McGarry, DB/KR (5-9 194, 4th yr. Waterdown, ON)
Patrick is a solid and versatile player. In 2008, he led the Warriors with two interceptions and also had one sack. He is also a pivotal player on special teams handling punts and kick-offs. Last year he led the Warriors in kick-off returns with 18 for 280 yards.

Key Recruits

Joe Surgenor LB/DE (6-1 235, Barrie, Ont. – Eastview SS)
Originally from Barrie, Joe is a transfer from Yuba College in Marysville, California, where he was 3rd team all-American. In 2008, he led the state of California in both tackles and sacks.

Brett MacDonald, DB (5-10 189, Burlington, Ont. – Notre Dame)
Brett comes from a great family pedigree. He is following in his father's footsteps suiting up for Waterloo and carrying on the Warrior tradition. Brett played at Burlington – Notre Dame, known for its outstanding football program. He has good speed and tremendous field vision and will have an opportunity to make an impact with the Warrior secondary.

Special Teams

Eric Roque, KR (5-4 155, Sudbury, Ont. – Collège Notre-Dame)
Eric is a dynamic player with blazing speed. He is a former Canadian National Junior sprint finalist. He will be exciting to watch and reminds the coaching staff of our very own pinball.

Key losses

The defensive unit remains in tact except for the departure of DL Ryan Viby.

2009 OUA FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
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Source: Waterloo Warriors

Photo Credit: Michael P. Hall