About 85 athletes will join Stinger head coach Gerry McGrath at Concordia Stadium this week to begin preparations for the 2008 Quebec university football season.
Thursday and Friday consist of academic sessions, paperwork and physical testing while football training begins Saturday.
“I’m eager to get going,” says McGrath who begins his ninth season as head coach of the Stingers. “A lot of guys have worked hard during the off-season and are coming into camp in great physical shape. I’m really looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.”
There will be a good combination of veterans and newcomers in camp. There will be 49 returning players, including 19 starters from 2007.
On offence look for quarterback Liam Mahoney, the 2007 CIS rookie of the year, to take on a big leadership role. A talented offensive line will also help set the pace in camp.
On defence, an experienced and skilled front seven will be relied on for maturity. Four of the seven are fifth-year veterans – DE Tom Kuchiran, DE William Miller, LB Nathan Agadzi and LB Darnell Danglade. Third-year middle linebacker Cory Greenwood, a 2007 Quebec all-star, will also be a leader that recruits will try to emulate on the field and in the weight room.
Newcomers to watch for in camp include FB Devon Mitchell, a punishing runner from Troy High School in Michigan, WR Tony Testa (St. Leonard Cougars), LB Ricky Zeiba (Vanier College) and a strong group of defensive backs, including Christian Walcott (Birchmount Park Collegiate) and Gracia Mwembo (Vieux-Montréal).
A highlight of training camp will be a preseason game versus the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon on Aug. 23. McGrath will take 50 players out West to see how they stack up against one of the CIS’s top teams.
The Stingers open the regular season Friday, Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. when they host the Bishop’s Gaiters.
