2011 York Lions Team Preview
Source: York Sports Info
2010 regular season record: 0-8
2010 regular season standings: 10th in OUA
2010 playoff record: N/A
2010 playoff finish: 10th in OUA
The 2010 season marked the first at York for new head coach Warren Craney and his assistants, offensive coordinator Michael Faulds and defensive coordinator Harry Laflamme. Together, the coaching staff helped the squad improve on both offence and defence as the Lions gained more yards and allowed fewer per game than the previous year’s averages.
Following the end of the season the coaching staff turned its attention to recruiting and has brought in a strong first class that includes more than 50 new players, including several top-rated recruits.
Quote from head coach:
“We are a very young team this year but loaded with talent
and we expect to be more competitive this season. Our expectations
for this team are high and the players will have to grow up on the
field in a hurry, but the coaching staff feels they are ready and
we are all looking forward to seeing them in action.”
-- Warren Craney, head coach
Head Coach:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2011):
2
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2011): 2
- Career regular season record with team: 0-8
- Career regular season record in CIS: 0-8
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs
only): 0-8
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only):
0-8
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: 9
Key returning players:
QB Nick Coutu (St. Catharines, Ont.) returns for his fourth season with the Lions and has continued to grow under the direction of Faulds. Last year he increased his completion percentage by 10 points while recording three touchdown passes. He was also a top rusher on the team with 309 yards gained on the ground.
WR Jonelle Tolbert (Mississauga, Ont.) was the team’s top receiver last season, finishing with 36 receptions for 469 yards and three touchdowns. His average of 78.2 yards per game was among the OUA’s top five.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
RB George Daniel from Villanova College (Toronto). Also played for the Metro Toronto Wildcats of the OVFL.
WR Skyler Hurst from Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute (Guelph). Also played for the Hamilton Hurricanes of the CJFL.
OL John Maddalena from Sir Allan MacNab Secondary School (Hamilton, Ont.). Following in the footsteps of his father, Mike, who was a standout offensive lineman for the Concordia Stingers in the mid 1980s.
RB Riser Markell from Chaminade High School (Toronto). Also plays club football with the Toronto Wildcats of the OVFL.
OL Max Sullivan from Sir James Dunn Collegiate & Vocational School (Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.). Was named the most valuable player on an undefeated Eagles team that won the league, city, regional and OFSAA championships in 2009.
Key losses:
OL Boris Radulovic
DEFENCE
Number of returning starters: 6
Key returning players:
LB Steven Reading (Fenelon Falls, Ont.) has been the leader of the defence for the past two seasons. Last year, he led the team and was fourth in the OUA in total tackles (54).
DE Patrick Russell (Brampton, Ont.) has been a steady force on defence for the team. Last year he recorded 15 tackles in seven games played.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
DB Marcus Grandison from Chaminade High School (Toronto). A member of Team World at the 2011 Team USA vs. The World game in Austin, Texas, in February. Team MVP, a 2010 Toronto all-star and twice a Greater Toronto Area (GTA) all-star. Won the defensive backs award at the national underclass combine twice (2009, 2010). Also played for the Metro Toronto Wildcats in the OVFL, where he received the team MVP award as a junior.
LB Roberto Lopez from Chaminade High School (Toronto).
DB Jordan Nugent from St. Thomas Aquinas High School (Brampton, Ont.). Also played for the Brampton Bulldogs of the OVFL.
LB Denzel Philip from Don Bosco High School (Toronto). Named a Greater Toronto Area (GTA) all-star this past season. Also played for the Etobicoke Eagles of the OVFL.
Key losses:
CB Andre Clarke, DB Theo Feroiu
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players:
Tyler De Moel
P/K Dror David