Five members of the Concordia Stingers football team have been invited to participate in the fourth annual East-West Bowl on Saturday, May 13 at Université Laval in Ste. Foy, Que.
The East-West Bowl, in partnership with the CFL and NFL, is designed as a showcase for athletes entering their draft-year in 2006. All 27 CIS football schools are represented in the game. A national committee of CIS head coaches and CFL representatives selected the players. The rosters are complimented with players entering into their second, third and fifth years who have not yet been drafted.
President's Trophy winner Patrick Donovan will lead the Stinger contingent which includes quarterback Scott Syvret, receiver Blake Butler, kicker Warren Kean and defensive tackle Josh MacDonald.
Donovan, who was the outstanding defensive player in Canadian university football last season, is looking to sign a professional contract as a free agent. As an American, the native of Laconia, N.H., is not eligible for the CFL draft. The linebacker will go all out to prove he's worthy of playing in the CFL. Mickey Donovan, Pat's older brother and the 2004 President's Trophy recipient, signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats a year ago.
In seven games, Donovan collected 58 total tackles to lead the Quebec league in tackling. His 48 solo tackles and 20 assists ranked him third in the CIS. He also collected three sacks and an interception.
Syvret, the Quebec conference's 2005 MVP and nominee as the outstanding player in Canada, will play in his second East-West Bowl. After his rookie season, he took part in the 2004 game.
This past season, the second team all-Canadian from Kirkland, Que. led Concordia to a 6-2 win-loss record in conference play and the No. 7 ranking in the nation. He completed 122 of 184 passes for 1488 yards in six games. He averaged 248 yards a game and posted an impressive efficiency rating of 142.4. He threw 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
All-Canadian kicker Warren Kean will draw a lot of attention. The Dundas, Ont. native connected on 16 of 17 field goals with his longest measuring 42 yards. He was also good on 22 of 24 converts.
Rounding out the Stingers contingent are receiver Blake Butler, a fourth-year player from Pointe Claire, Que. who caught 15 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown in seven games last year; and fourth-year tackle Josh MacDonald of Little Pond, P.E.I. He collected 12 tackles, 11 assists and 1.5 sacks in seven games.
Gary Jeffries, head coach of the Vanier Cup champions Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks will oversee the East team, which is made up of players from the four Atlantic universities, the five Quebec schools and an Ontario contingent from York, Queen's, Toronto, Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier and Windsor.
