2008 CIS FOOTBALL TEAM PREVIEW:
TORONTO VARSITY BLUES
2007 regular season record: 0-8
2007 regular season standings: 10
2007 playoff record: N/A
2007 playoff finish: N/A
General Write-Up:
Some significant changes took place this off-season as 12-year CFL veteran and former
head coach of the Queen’s Golden Gaels, Bob Howes, was hired as the team’s Director
of Football, and Calgary native and former St. Francis Xavier X-Men receiver, Greg
DeLaval, accepted the position of head coach for this year’s campaign.
Both Howes and DeLaval have extensive coaching experience in the CIS. Both have
been with the Blues before, and are committed to improving the football program at one
of the most storied football institutions in North America. They are surrounded by a solid
core of veterans, some of which they recruited more then five years ago, and a talented
mix of first-year players that are eager to dawn the tradition that is the Blue and White.
This season, defence will be key for the Blues. Leading the team on that side of the ball
is 2007 OUA all-star Derek Batchelor. The third-year half back from Mississauga, Ont.
led the team in tackles (54.5) and was third in the OUA. Scott Smith (Toronto, Ont.),
second to Batchelor in total tackles and fifth in OUA, will key the Blues linebacking corps
for the third year in a row. The Varsity Blues 2007 rookie of the year Willie Sharpe
(Renfrew, Ont.) and veteran defensive back Kyle Kennedy will also be instrumental in
slowing the opponent’s aerial attack.
Offensively, veteran quarterback David Hamilton (Mississauga, Ont.) and third-year pivot
Andrew Gillis (Markham, Ont.) will be counted on to guide the Blues attack this season.
Suffering through an injury-plagued season, Hamilton still led the team in passing,
effectively throwing for 811 yards. Gillis started at quarterback for five games last
season, accumulating 688 passing yards and 145 rushing yards.
Quote from head coach:
Our staff is focused on improving the team technically and mentally at this point so they can
compete. The team’s success will be dictated by the level of focus and effort the players bring to
practice everyday.
Head Coach: Greg DeLaval
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2008): 0
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2008): 0
- Career regular season record with team: N/A
- Career regular season record in CIS: N/A
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): N/A
- Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): N/A
Offence
Key returning players:
QB David Hamilton (Mississauga, Ont.) returns for a 5th season. Suffered through an
injury-plagued season yet still led the team in passing with 811 yards.
Receiver/ running back/ punter, Mark Stinson (Calgary, Alta) returns for fifth season. His
production and versatility were rewarded when invited to attend the 2008 CFL Evaluation
Camp.
QB Andrew Gillis (Markham, Ont.) started five games last season for the injured
Hamilton. Amassed 688 yards in the air as well as 145 on the ground - very versatile
football player.
REC Cory Kennedy (Ottawa, Ont.) was second on the team with 376 receiving yards
and averaged just less than 12 yards per catch.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
REC Earl Johnson (Baltimore, MD) last played at Morgan State and was the special
teams player of the year in 2006. Should be a nice addition and solid receiving option for
Hamilton.
RB Jonathan Wright (Belleville, Ont.) was Centennial S.S. athlete of the year in this
senior season. He will look to fill the void left by Blues leading rusher Kris Newman.
Key losses:
RB Kris Newman
Defence
Key returning players:
HB Derek Batchelor (Mississauga, Ont.) is back for a third year. 2007 OUA all-star as a
rush/cover on special teams as well as in the defensive half back position. Led the Blues
in tackles and was third in the OUA (54.5) and was the Johnny Copp award winner as
team’s MVP.
DB Matt D’Souza (Pickering, Ont.) is in his fourth year with the Blues. 2007-08 East-
West all-star, D’Souza was primarily used as a punt/kick returner. A 2007 OUA all-star
will now be asked to fill one of the vacant defensive back positions.
Third-year linebacker Scott Smith (Richmond Hill, Ont.) was second to Batchelor and
fifth in the OUA with 50.5 total tackles. Will be asked to play a bigger leadership role this
season.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
DL Lincoln Bryan (Toronto, Ont.) is a former Central Technical Institute football most
rookie of the year as well the team’s captain in his senior year. The 6-foot2, 320 pound
lineman is back in Toronto after spending a year at the Fork Union Military Academy in
Fork Union, Virginia.
FS Matt Morris (Toronto, Ont.) is a former high school stand out at Cedarbrae Collegiate.
The 2003 Metro Bowl MVP and former Toronto Sun all-star is back in Toronto after
spending some time at Colgate College in New York and Saginaw Valley in Michigan.
K Andrew Lomasney (Toronto, Ont.) will look to replace departing senior kicker Joe
Valtellini. The North Toronto product was the three-year football MVP, while participating
in soccer and rugby and earned the junior and senior athlete of the year
Key losses:
DL Michael Goncalves
DB George Polyzois
DB Mike Tutty