2023 Football Season Preview: AUS rivals ready to challenge for conference supremacy

STFX X-Men eying third consecutive Loney Bowl crown

By Corey LeBlanc

The STFX X-Men will kick-off the 2023 Atlantic University Sport (AUS) football regular season seeking a third consecutive Loney Bowl championship, which would also be the sixth for the program in the past eight campaigns played in the conference.

The White and Blue, who have not lost an AUS regular season or playoff game in the past two seasons, captured the conference banner in 2022 with a 21-14 victory over the Mount Allison Mounties.

Even with that recent success, Gary Waterman—the conference and U SPORTS coach of the year last season—said the X-Men aren't taking anything for granted.

"We are focused on taking it one play, one game at a time," he said, while apologizing for sounding cliché.

STFX will return 21 out of 24 starters from last season—12 on defence and nine on offence.

"We have a lot of guys who can break open a game," Waterman offered of an attack that averaged 32.6 points per contest in 2022.

Topping the list of X-Men game-breakers are quarterback Silas Fagnan (Bonnyville, Alta.), who led the AUS in passing yards and yards-per-game last season, and running back Malcolm Bussey (Hammonds Plains, N.S.), who accomplished the same feat, when it came to rushing yards. Bussey, in 2022, followed Fagnan (2021) as AUS most valuable player.

Waterman expects that tandem to have big seasons, once again, along with the receiving trio of Zachary Houde (Thetford Mines, Que.), the 2022 AUS top rookie, Ben Harrington (Dartmouth, N.S.) and Zakariya Karim (Ottawa, Ont.). They were top-five finishers in most pass-catching categories.

Senior Chris Verheyen (Frankford, Ont.), along with sophomores Ryan Arenburg (Dayspring, N.S.) and 2022 conference all-star Will Chapman (Bedford, N.S.), will anchor the offensive line.

As for the defence, a unit that only surrendered a league-low 10.4 points per game last season, Waterman said the focus is to build on that success.

All-Canadian Alex Fedchun (Calgary, Alta.), with a USPORTS second-best nine sacks, and Zechariah Willems (Tiny, Ont.), with six, will be the pillars of a defence that collected 27 sacks in 2022.

AUS all-star Dyton Blackett (Canning, N.S.) and Josh Connors (Toronto, Ont.) are names to remember from a versatile group of linebackers.

The White and Blue, which led U SPORTS in interceptions last season, boasts a talented secondary that includes Zach Taylor (Nanaimo, B.C.), who nabbed a pair of picks in 2022; halfback Brandyn Martin (Melfort, Sask.), who played in the 2023 East-West game; and cornerback Liam Wilde (Calgary, Alta.). Martin and Wilde were conference all-stars. Fifth-year senior Ethan Mastin (Chilliwack, B.C.) brings talent and experience to the unit.

"We are definitely really comfortable with our experience level, depth and talent," Waterman said of the X-Men defence.

When it comes to special teams, former CFL head coach Jim Daley is back for another season as coordinator. STFX returns the kicking duo of 2022 conference all-star Ben Hadley (Halifax, N.S.) and Max Capriotti (Mount Hope, Ont.).

"We think we have two number-ones," Waterman offered.

Harrington, who had a game-changing punt return touchdown in the 2022 Loney Bowl, leads a dynamic group of returners.

First-year X-Men to keep an eye on include defensive lineman JJ Heaton (Prince Rupert, B.C.), defensive back Logan Ritchie (Winnipeg, Man.), OLB-RB Owen Watrych (Yorkton, Sask.), tight end Antonio Corsi (Ottawa, Ont.) and receiver-kick returner Jahme Dawson (Sahuarita, Arizona).

Waterman noted both the returnees and newcomers, along with the X-Men coaching staff, know there are plenty of challengers that will be trying to knock them from the top of the mountain.

"It's going to be a highly competitive season," the former X-Men defensive back offered, noting that his team has experienced several close calls over the past couple of seasons.

Waterman added, "Parity is the hallmark of the AUS."

Gaiters' bite

One of the challengers focused on dethroning the X-Men are the Bishop's Gaiters, a program that finished second in the 2022 regular season (4-3) before being upset by the third-place Mount Allison Mounties in a semi-final match-up.

"We are continuing our progression," head coach Cherif Nicolas said, when asked about the program's outlook heading into a new campaign.

He added, "We will find out a lot about our program [this weekend]," with the kick-off of the regular campaign.

Nicolas said that the Gaiters must play "complementary football."

"And, we need to avoid negative plays, especially at crucial moments, including penalties and turnovers. We have to avoid them like the plague," he added.

Nicolas noted that his program will return nine to 10 starters, both offensively and defensively.

"They have learned lessons that need to be learned," he offered of the experienced group.

Junior linebacker Gabriel Royer (Lawrenceville, Que.), last season's conference defensive player of the year and first-team conference all-star, will anchor the Bishop's defence.

"We need him to continue on that same path," Nicolas offered of the All-Canadian student-athlete.

While shying away from singling out any other players, he explained the importance of everyone—coaches and players—"performing to their potential."

And, when it comes to expectations, Nicolas said he is not one to make predictions; his focus is on each practice and meeting as part of reaching the "end result."

"We have the most parity of any conference," he suggested, when asked about the level of play he expects this season in the five-team league.

Nicolas added, "We will have tough games, and our conference is very exciting."

The next step

As for the Mounties, who finished third in the 2022 regular season (4-4) and edged the Bishop's Gaiters 15-12 in an AUS semi-final match-up, return a veteran line-up to the Sackville, N.B. campus.

"We expect to have a strong team," head coach Peter Fraser said, noting that 20 out of 24 starters have returned from last season.

He noted having that depth and experience "goes a long way."

The list of returnees includes the quarterback tandem of Justin Vogels (Sackville, N.B.) and CJ Valenti (Terrebonne, Que.), who both took snaps in 2022.

"It is definitely a blessing; we are confident in both of them," Fraser said.

Vogels, who finished third in the conference last season in passing yards, will get the nod to start the regular season.

Both pivots will be protected by an offensive line that Fraser said is "maturing nicely," led by 2022 conference all-star guard Jacob Scharnberg (Moncton, N.B.). The group has also added Chase Clayton (Springhill, N.S.) —a six-foot-six, 310-pound offensive lineman—who began his university career with Queen's.

That group upfront will also be clearing a path for running back Brandt Burzuk (Red Deer, Alta.), who finished second in rushing yards and average yards per game last season in the conference.

"We are expecting big things from him," Fraser said.

When it comes to pass catchers, Cody Barton (Lower Coverdale, N.B.)—who played in the 2023 East-West game—and Nolan Cheeseman (Upper Tantallon, N.S.), who caught 33 passes as a freshman, lead the receiving corps.

"He is as good as it gets," Fraser said of Barton, his deft possession receiver.

While Cheesman is "speedy and can take the top off the defence."

"They complement each other really well," he added.

Even with the "big loss" of All-Canadian defender Lucas Cormier, who is in the CFL with the Ottawa Redblacks, Fraser expects the Mounties—once again—to have one of the top defences in the AUS and U SPORTS.

"They are the best in the country—hands down," the Mount Allison mentor offered of his bookend defensive tackles: All-Canadian Reece Martin (Moncton, N.B.) and Vincenzo Frangione (Ottawa, Ont.).

All-stars Owen O'Neal (Sackville, N.B.), at linebacker, and former AUS defensive player of the year Daniel Bell (Saint John, N.B.), at halfback, will also be key contributors.

As for season goals, Fraser offered, "We want to get into the playoffs and be playing our best football."

And, he added, "We want another shot at the Loney Bowl."

Bark returning

In the south end of Halifax, Saint Mary's Huskies' head coach Steve Sumarah is readying for the second season of his second stint as leader of the program.

"It has made a big difference," he said of his staff having a full off-season with their student-athletes.

Sumarah added, "We are much more confident than we were at this time last season."

The Huskies, with a 3-4 mark, finished fourth in AUS regular season.

Sumarah described arriving late in the 2022 off-season as being "completely in the dark."

"I didn't have any idea what we did well, and what we didn't do well," he explained.

Heading into the 2023 campaign, Sumarah said that isn't the case.

And, when it comes to the make-up of the roster, he offered the comradery and team spirit is much stronger.

"It starts and stops with line play," the AUS veteran offered, when asked about keys to success.

He noted that last season's defensive line "couldn't stop the run."

"We have gotten better," Sumarah said.

As for the offensive line, he added, "It will likely look completely different."

Sumarah noted that the program brought in a "whole whack" of newcomers at that position.

"They are going to take time to gel," he said.

Sumarah added that the Huskies have "more clay to work with" this season, when it comes to personnel.

"It is a matter of how fast we can mold it."

The new-look offensive line will be charged with protecting fourth-year starter Duncan Patterson (Bedford, N.S.)—the 2022 Russ Jackson Award recipient, an honour presented annually to a U SPORTS student-athlete who best exemplifies the attributes of academic achievement, football skill and citizenship.

"Duncan brings a lot to the table," Sumarah said, noting the "tremendous leadership" his student-athlete provides to the program.

He added, "Duncan gets it."

And, on the field, Sumarah expects him to benefit from another season playing in the Huskies' offensive system.

As for who will be catching passes from Patterson, Sumarah offered that wide receiver is probably "our deepest position."

Conference all-star Liam Stewart (Port Coquitlam, B.C.)—who also represented the Huskies in the 2023 East-West Bowl—leads a group that includes Brycen Mayoh (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) and Trydell Mintis (Halifax, N.S.).

The one-two punch of A'dre Simmonds (North Preston, N.S.) and Malik Williams (Maple Creek, Sask.) will be the main running backs.

And, on the experience side, fifth-year senior and AUS all-star Jassin States-McClean (Halifax, N.S.) will be back to patrol the Saint Mary's secondary.  

Noting that his team won't be able to "go toe-to-toe" with teams, Sumarah explained that they will have "to control the ball" and win the special teams battle.

"And, of course, we are going to have to score more."

As for expectations, Sumarah offered, "We just need them to keep getting better—that's the biggest thing."

He noted, "We have a long path to go."

As usual, he expects the AUS to be "extremely competitive," which is "great for the conference."

Although he dubbed the X-Men "clearly, the team to beat," Sumarah suggested the other teams are "nipping at their heels."

Looking up

When the dust settled last season, the Acadia Axemen—perennial powers in the conference—were in the league basement, at 0-8, and out of the playoff picture.

"We have nowhere to go, but up," veteran head coach Jeff Cummins said.

Noting the Axemen will return "the lion's share of our team," he noted the program will have that experience in conference play to build on.

"Everyone is here to compete," Cummins offered.

He estimated that 60 to 70 returnees were in training camp, along with approximately 35 newcomers.

When it comes to what they need to do to make strides this season, Cummins said, "Score some points—there's no secret there."

He added, "We have to put the ball in the end zone."

In talking about Acadia's anemic offence last season, which only mustered a single-digit scoring average, Cummins noted that, pre-COVID, his Axemen were tallying 40-plus points per contest.

He explained that his squad needs to reduce its turnovers, while the defence must cause more cough-ups from their opponents.

"We need to be more consistent, get stops," Cummins explained.

When it comes to key returnees, the Axemen mentor pointed to the trio that represented the program in April's East-West Bowl: receiver Julien Poirier-McKiggan (Halifax, N.S.), offensive lineman Nick Pilichos (Bedford, N.S.) and defensive back Manny Beals (Ajax, Ont.).

"They will be the strength of our team," Cummins noted.

As for important newcomers, he talked about the foursome of receiver Luke McMillan (Winnipeg, Man.), who played with the Winnipeg Rifles of the CJFL—and brings experience as a graduate student; running back Max Ramirez (Fort MacMurray, Alta.); defensive back Ryan Suffron (North Kentville, N.S.), who arrives from CEGEP's Champlain; and defensive lineman Josh Dunham (Lloydminster, Alta.), who suited up last season with the CJFL's Saskatoon Hilltops.

Cummins said, if they remain healthy and progress, each first-year Axeman should "make an impact."

"We have to be better in all facets of the game," he offered.

Cummins added, "We want to be playing our best football as we get close to the playoffs."

He stressed that the Axemen "certainly have to play better than we did last season."

Format changes

This season, AUS football fans will be treated to more playoff action with the conference moving from a single semi-final matchup to two semi-final games in the post-season.

So, on Saturday, Nov. 4, the first-place finisher in the 2023 regular season will host the fourth-place team, while the second-place finisher will welcome the third-place club.

The top seed of the two semi-final winners will host the Loney Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 11.

Time for kick-off

The 2023 AUS football season kicks off with a pair of games on Saturday, Aug. 26.

The Axemen will visit the Mounties, in a 2 p.m. ADT start, while the defending conference champion X-Men will welcome the Gaiters at 3 p.m. ADT.

The Huskies have the bye in week one.