The Western Mustangs open their 2012 campaign on the road versus the Waterloo Warriors on Labour Day, marking the second straight season where the two teams open the season on the holiday. In 2011 the Mustangs paraded all over Waterloo by the score of 86-22. Their previous match up prior to that contest was in 2008 where Western defeated the Warriors 49-3 in a rain-soaked contest. Their last playoff match-up was in 2001 where Western defeated the Warriors 19-11 in the OUA quarterfinals.
The season opener is a bit of a homecoming for new defensive coordinator Dennis McPhee who patrolled the sidelines of Waterloo from 2005-2011. This time around he will be on the visitors sidelines as he reunites with Greg Marshall. The two coached together with the Hamilton Tiger Cats and played together with the Edmonton Eskimos. Waterloo is led by Joe Paopao who set many CFL records playing quarterback. He was the offensive coordinator under Denis McPhee from 2005-2011.
The game is expected to be a stiffer test for Western this time around as the Warriors have built some depth with their veterans. Waterloo has three returning starters that participated in the East-West Bowl this past May: offensive lineman Matt Vonk, wide receiver Matt Anapolsy, and defensive lineman Djordje Gavrilovic. The Warriors also have a solid recruiting class that includes quarterback Jamie Cook a University of Guelph transfer, Kitchener defensive lineman Erik McCormick and Hamilton offensive lineman Steven Stratford Jr. who should all make an immediate impact.
This year’s Western squad features a mix of veteran leadership and talented recruits. Quarterback Donnie Marshall returns for his fifth and final season in purple and white hoping to lead his team to the Vanier Cup. This game will also feature the debut of Will Finch for Western. Finch was the number one quarterback recruit in Canada, turning down many NCAA schools to don the purple and white.
The quarterbacks will be joined in the backfield by second-year Vancouver College product Garret Sanvido who will see the majority of the carries this season. First-year running back Yannick Harou will also see some carries this season and his speed and explosiveness should be a great asset for the Mustangs offence. A trio of James Silfakis, Alex Maj and Tyrell Reid look to fill the void at full back left by Dan Duff.
In the receiving corps the veterans are now Brian Marshall and Andrew Thibaudeau they both look to provide the Mustangs quarterbacks with a downfield presence. Freshmen Justin Sanvido and George Johnson look to make an impact as well as third-year student and London native Matt Uren who has been impressive throughout camp.
The offensive line will be anchored by fifth-year centre Greg Wilson, along with returning players Josh Burley and Shane Bergman, and Mike Van Praet, who’s shifting over from the defensive line.
The Mustangs defence will boast one of the most talented front sevens in all of the CIS. Brent Wheeler, and sophomore Daryl Waud anchor a talented line while Pawel Kruba who participated in the East-West Bowl leads the linebacking corps along with 2011 First Team All-Canadian Beau Landry who’s moving from safety. OUA All-Star Mike Spence is back to patrol the secondary as are Jamie Symianick and Aaron Handsor.
Lirim Hajrullahu will be busier on special teams this season, handling both the kicking and punting duties in 2012.
Western looks to start the 2012 campaign off strong as they look to get back to the Yates Cup and compete for their first Vanier Cup since 2008.
