September 2, 2009
NO. 8 QUEEN'S GAELS FOOTBALL PREVIEW
Queen's Gaels - OUA
2008 regular season record: 8-0
2008 regular season standings: 1st in the OUA
2008 playoff record: 0-1
2008 playoff finish: Lost to Ottawa in OUA Semi-Final
General Write-Up:
The Queen's Gaels had an outstanding 2008 regular season, finishing in first place in the tough OUA Conference with an 8-0 record and the No. 2 ranking in the nation. Their quick-strike offence, led by QB Danny Brannagan and RB Mike Giffin, and suffocating defence, anchored by the Presidents' Trophy winner Thaine Carter and DE Osie Ukwuoma, complimented each other perfectly. However, the team stumbled in the OUA Semifinal against the Ottawa Gee-Gees, which signalled an abrupt end to their post-season aspirations.
Despite the loss of some key components, including All-Canadians Mike Giffin and Dee Sterling, the Gaels enter the 2009 season with a core of veteran talent that will once again have Queen's fielding a Top 10 team in the nation. On the offensive side of the ball, All-Canadian QB Danny Brannagan will have his favourite target back as WR Scott Valberg returns to bolster a very talented receiving core. With the loss of Giffin, the running game should be a two-pronged attack in the form of Marty Gordon and Jimmy Therrien.
The defence, which was ranked number one in Canada last season, will once again be anchored by DE Osie Ukwuoma, a 5th round draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders. Joining Ukwuoma on the vaunted Gaels defence will be a strong group of defensive backs, including Alex Daprato, T.J. Leeper, Chris Smith and David Rooney. If this group can replicate the success of last year's defence, which allowed only 14.5 points per game, the Gaels will once again be a force to be reckoned with this upcoming season.
Head Coach Pat Sheahan:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2009): 10th Season
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2009): 21st Season
- Career regular season record with team: 43-29-0
- Career regular season record in CIS: 91-64-1
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 48-35-0
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 102-78-1
Offence
Key returning players:
QB Danny Brannagan returns for a 5th season. A 2nd Team All-Canadian, he led the CIS in touchdown passes last season with 24 while amassing 2,407 passing yards (3rd CIS).
WR Scott Valberg returns for his final season as a Gael. A 1st Team All-Canadian, he led the nation in both receiving yards (1,013) and touchdowns (11).
K Dan Village enters his 3rd season with Queen's. A 2nd Team OUA All-Star, he led the conference in scoring (2nd CIS) with 90 points while converting 63.6% of his field goal attempts.
OL Vince De Civita enters his 4th season. A 2nd Team All-Canadian, he will be looked upon to protect QB Dan Brannagan once again this season.
KR Jimmy Allin returns for his final season. A 1st Team All-Canadian, he was the top punt returner in the CIS averaging 16.8 yards/return.
Key recruits:
QB Justin Chapdelaine from W.J. Mouat SS (Abbotsford, B.C.). As Team Captain, he led his team to the Senior Provincial Football finals in 2008.
OL Matt Lapointe from St. Peter CHS (Ottawa, Ont.). Was a member of the NCSSAA Senior Football Championship team and was named the Most Outstanding Linesman.
OL Josh Prinsen from Holy Cross SS (Kingston, Ont.). A two-time KASSAA All-Star, he led his team to the KASSAA final in 2008.
Key losses:
RB Mike Giffin
WR Scott Stinson
Defence
Key returning players:
DE Osie Ukwuoma enters his 4th season with the Gaels. A two-time All-Canadian (2nd in 2007, 1st in 2008), the OUA Lineman of the Year had 9.5 sacks last season to lead the CIS.
DB David Rooney enters his 4th season with Queen's. A 2nd Team OUA All-Star, he recorded 36 tackles a season ago.
DB Alex Daprato enters his 3rd season. Finished 4th on the Gaels in total tackles last season with 25.5.
DB T.J. Leeper returns for his final season as a Gael. Finished last season with 24.5 tackles and 2 sacks.
LB Chris Smith enters his 4th season. A 2nd Team OUA All-Star, he recorded 20 total tackles last season along with 1 sack.
DB Matt Vickers returns to the Gaels for his final season. In his last season with the team (2007), he finished 5th on the team in total tackles with 26.5 and was named a 1st Team OUA All-Star.
Key recruits:
DL John Miniaci from St. Michaels College (Toronto, Ont.). A two-time Metro Bowl Champion, he was named the Lineman of the Year and received the Top Student Academic and Athletic Award.
DL Matthew Kendrick from Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH).
DB Chris Adams from Vancouver College (Vancouver, B.C.). A Provincial All-Star, he was named the Best Back at his school after leading the Varsity team in interceptions.
Key losses:
DT Dee Sterling
DE Neil Puffer
*Status of DL Thaine Carter (CIS Presidents' Trophy winner) is unknown at the time of publication
2009 OUA FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Guelph Gryphons
McMaster Marauders
Ottawa Gee-Gees
Queen's Gaels
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors
Western Mustangs
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Windsor Lancers
York Lions
Source: Queen's Gaels
2008 regular season record: 8-0
2008 regular season standings: 1st in the OUA
2008 playoff record: 0-1
2008 playoff finish: Lost to Ottawa in OUA Semi-Final
General Write-Up:
The Queen's Gaels had an outstanding 2008 regular season, finishing in first place in the tough OUA Conference with an 8-0 record and the No. 2 ranking in the nation. Their quick-strike offence, led by QB Danny Brannagan and RB Mike Giffin, and suffocating defence, anchored by the Presidents' Trophy winner Thaine Carter and DE Osie Ukwuoma, complimented each other perfectly. However, the team stumbled in the OUA Semifinal against the Ottawa Gee-Gees, which signalled an abrupt end to their post-season aspirations.
Despite the loss of some key components, including All-Canadians Mike Giffin and Dee Sterling, the Gaels enter the 2009 season with a core of veteran talent that will once again have Queen's fielding a Top 10 team in the nation. On the offensive side of the ball, All-Canadian QB Danny Brannagan will have his favourite target back as WR Scott Valberg returns to bolster a very talented receiving core. With the loss of Giffin, the running game should be a two-pronged attack in the form of Marty Gordon and Jimmy Therrien.
The defence, which was ranked number one in Canada last season, will once again be anchored by DE Osie Ukwuoma, a 5th round draft pick of the Calgary Stampeders. Joining Ukwuoma on the vaunted Gaels defence will be a strong group of defensive backs, including Alex Daprato, T.J. Leeper, Chris Smith and David Rooney. If this group can replicate the success of last year's defence, which allowed only 14.5 points per game, the Gaels will once again be a force to be reckoned with this upcoming season.
Head Coach Pat Sheahan:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2009): 10th Season
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2009): 21st Season
- Career regular season record with team: 43-29-0
- Career regular season record in CIS: 91-64-1
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 48-35-0
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 102-78-1
Offence
Key returning players:
QB Danny Brannagan returns for a 5th season. A 2nd Team All-Canadian, he led the CIS in touchdown passes last season with 24 while amassing 2,407 passing yards (3rd CIS).
WR Scott Valberg returns for his final season as a Gael. A 1st Team All-Canadian, he led the nation in both receiving yards (1,013) and touchdowns (11).
K Dan Village enters his 3rd season with Queen's. A 2nd Team OUA All-Star, he led the conference in scoring (2nd CIS) with 90 points while converting 63.6% of his field goal attempts.
OL Vince De Civita enters his 4th season. A 2nd Team All-Canadian, he will be looked upon to protect QB Dan Brannagan once again this season.
KR Jimmy Allin returns for his final season. A 1st Team All-Canadian, he was the top punt returner in the CIS averaging 16.8 yards/return.
Key recruits:
QB Justin Chapdelaine from W.J. Mouat SS (Abbotsford, B.C.). As Team Captain, he led his team to the Senior Provincial Football finals in 2008.
OL Matt Lapointe from St. Peter CHS (Ottawa, Ont.). Was a member of the NCSSAA Senior Football Championship team and was named the Most Outstanding Linesman.
OL Josh Prinsen from Holy Cross SS (Kingston, Ont.). A two-time KASSAA All-Star, he led his team to the KASSAA final in 2008.
Key losses:
RB Mike Giffin
WR Scott Stinson
Defence
Key returning players:
DE Osie Ukwuoma enters his 4th season with the Gaels. A two-time All-Canadian (2nd in 2007, 1st in 2008), the OUA Lineman of the Year had 9.5 sacks last season to lead the CIS.
DB David Rooney enters his 4th season with Queen's. A 2nd Team OUA All-Star, he recorded 36 tackles a season ago.
DB Alex Daprato enters his 3rd season. Finished 4th on the Gaels in total tackles last season with 25.5.
DB T.J. Leeper returns for his final season as a Gael. Finished last season with 24.5 tackles and 2 sacks.
LB Chris Smith enters his 4th season. A 2nd Team OUA All-Star, he recorded 20 total tackles last season along with 1 sack.
DB Matt Vickers returns to the Gaels for his final season. In his last season with the team (2007), he finished 5th on the team in total tackles with 26.5 and was named a 1st Team OUA All-Star.
Key recruits:
DL John Miniaci from St. Michaels College (Toronto, Ont.). A two-time Metro Bowl Champion, he was named the Lineman of the Year and received the Top Student Academic and Athletic Award.
DL Matthew Kendrick from Phillips Exeter Academy (Exeter, NH).
DB Chris Adams from Vancouver College (Vancouver, B.C.). A Provincial All-Star, he was named the Best Back at his school after leading the Varsity team in interceptions.
Key losses:
DT Dee Sterling
DE Neil Puffer
*Status of DL Thaine Carter (CIS Presidents' Trophy winner) is unknown at the time of publication
2009 OUA FOOTBALL PREVIEWS
Guelph Gryphons
McMaster Marauders
Ottawa Gee-Gees
Queen's Gaels
Toronto Varsity Blues
Waterloo Warriors
Western Mustangs
Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks
Windsor Lancers
York Lions
Source: Queen's Gaels
