WATERLOO, Ont. -- After an incredible 2024 season, the reigning Yates Cup champion Golden Hawks are prepared to hit the gridiron and defend their title.
Despite losing some key pieces in the offseason, manager of football operations and head coach, Michael Faulds is focusing on taking things one day at a time.
OFFENSE
The Golden Hawks offense topped the U SPORTS charts last season in almost every statistical category, and they are looking to keep that dominance going with seven of the 12 offensive starters returning.
QUARTERBACKS
Departing: Taylor Elgersma
Returning: Will Russell, Isaac Willis
Incoming: Riley Chalmers, Callum Wither
Of course, the biggest loss to this Golden Hawks team is quarterback Taylor Elgersma, who takes his talents south of the border to the Green Bay Packers.
"All our returning quarterbacks have worked extremely hard," Faulds said, pointing out that Willis is the only one of the three returners to have dressed.
There is plenty of excitement going around with the addition of two incoming arms. "We've added freshman team Ontario quarterback Riley Chalmers, who has been coached by coach Galloway, and won a gold medal."
"Then we've added Cal Wither from the Ohio Bobcats."
Wither, a Waterloo native, makes his return after spending three seasons with the Bobcats.
As for who Golden Hawks fans can expect to be the starting pivot, Faulds said that it is still an open competition as training camp continues.
RECEIVERS
Departing: Anthony Briscoe, Raidan Thorne
Returning: Jace Atkinson, Jacob Bennett, Ethan Eldridge, Titan Gaudun, Khalil Gooden, Ryan Hughes, Ethan Jordan, Kaden Kublinskas, Logan Moore, Layomi Ojutalayo, Damian Plauszta, Keyon Robinson, Jaxon Stebbings, Gabriel Williams
Incoming: Marcus Colebrook, Ty De Koning, Darius France, Gabe Hamilton, Josh Macleod, Denzel Robertson, Eli Stanley, Saniel Stupar
After being drafted and released from the CFL, the 1,000-yard receiver in Ethan Jordan is putting on the purple and gold for another year. A veteran joining Jordan is third-year receiver Layomi Ojutalayo.
The Golden Hawks have also added eight recruits, complementing the young standouts already on the team. This creates a good problem for Faulds to have.
"We have a very talented group. Our biggest challenge as coaches is that we go about 10 deep at receiver that are all starter quality."
"It's a great mix of styles too. Ryan Hughes, who people got to see in the playoffs last season, is very long and fast. Ethan Jordan being a three-time all Canadian. And the grittiness of Layomi Ojutalayo."
Faulds also spoke highly of Hughes, saying, "He was patient, he was humble. I give him a lot of credit. He waited for his time and then everyone got to see how talented he is."
RUNNING BACKS
Departing: Tanner Nelmes
Returning: Zidain Allen, Darion Bacik-Hadden, Tayshaun Jackson, Lewc Rayner, Quentin Scott
Incoming: Nick Honchar, Ethan Sutton
With the only departure being Tanner Nelmes, the Golden Hawks running back group has gotten a year older and a year stronger. They also welcome back Quentin Scott, who missed the 2024 season.
"Quentin's had the whole offseason with the team, and he's really focused and motivated," Faulds said. "We're talking about a guy who was an OUA All-Star at the position for two years."
Scott joins Tayshaun Jackson who made a name for himself in his first OUA All-Star season. "Tayshaun is a smaller guy, but his kick return is super elusive; he can't be caught in a phone booth. Quentin's very powerful and has lots of experience."
The unit brings back Darion Bacik-Hadden, who went down with an injury after throwing a touchdown pass in the Yates Cup. "It was a long process, but he's excited to be back."
"I think a lot of OUA teams are a little bit worried about our backfield," Faulds said.
FULL BACKS/TIGHT ENDS
Departing: Max Harris
Returning: Khalil Derman, Sebastian Parsalidis, Ryan Speight, Michael Weber, Eoin Wilson
Incoming: Jordan Andermarchi
The full backs and tight ends group gives both Faulds and offensive coordinator Todd Galloway plenty of flexibility and depth.
"Sebastian and Ryan are both back, but the other name is Khalil Derman. He had a lot of great plays in the Yates Cup, and in the games leading up to it when some guys were hurt, Khalil stepped up and did a really good job."
Faulds acknowledged that this unit doesn't play a glorified position, but that they take a lot of pride in that.
"Anyone that had a chance to watch Sebastian's highlight film realizes that he's a very talented player. Everyone, including CFL scouts, is excited for what he can do."
"He's not going to have 20 catches or 20 carries, but in terms of his versatility and his importance for our offence, you could argue it's right up there with anyone else."
The Golden Hawks have brought in freshman Jordan Andermarchi to bolster the roster, and Michael Weber returns after missing the previous season.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Departing: Cooper Hamilton, Lambert Pomerleau
Returning: Jason Arigbe, Kodi Blackshaw, Daniel Crowe, Liam Murphy, Delphyn Ngaleu, Benjamin Ottosen, Tyler Potvin, Josh Rietveld, Spencer Walsh, Thomas Williamson
Incoming: Carson Brooks, Logan Carter, Michael Hedderson, Jordan Lacroix, Rehan Rehan, Jedi Smith, Peyton Stegner
Consistency is key for Faulds and Galloway when it comes to the offensive line. Again, it's not the most glamorous position, but it's no coincidence that championship teams have the best offensive lines.
The team does, however, lose two staples in Cooper Hamilton and Lambert Pomerleau. But Faulds is confident in his still veteran line.
"It's not like 18-year-old freshmen are filling those holes. It's guys that have been in the program for a while, who have been in the weight room. So will there be growing pains? Yes. But do we have enough veteran returning starters? For sure."
Third-year center Kodi Blackshaw has spent his whole career with Elgersma behind him, but Faulds said that adjusting to a new pivot will be no problem.
"Kodi hasn't missed any team runs, any throw arounds all summer. Not to mention, we have 20 out-of-season practices. He's worked with all our quarterbacks, he's been a great leader, and puts the team first. His connection with every quarterback is super strong."
Faulds mentioned names like Spencer Walsh, "one of the most talented offensive linemen in the province," Tyler Potvin, Daniel Crowe, and Delphyn Ngaleu as veterans to watch for.
DEFENSE
Last season, defensive coordinator Ron VanMoerkerke's unit faced some turnover, but this year will see 10 of the 12 defensive starters returning for the Golden Hawks. That's some good news as by the end of the 2024 regular season, the Golden Hawks ranked second in the OUA in all defensive categories.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Departing: Abraham Odiase, Chisanem Nsitem
Returning: Gideon Aliku, Andre Bute, Matt Caruso, Joseph Edlington, Omari Hastings, Matteo Laquintana, Alexander Pauletic, Hudson Shea, Marcus Tenney, Geri Theodore, Mason Watson, Oscar Wise, Ivan Xu
Incoming: Justin Obi, Brody Thomas
Matteo Laquintana is entering his sophomore season after his OUA All-Rookie freshman year. Laquintana amassed 24 total tackles, six sacks worth 36-yards, and one forced fumble in 12 games.
"Matteo is unique in the sense that he can play inside and outside. He's not only one of our strongest D-linemen, but he's also one of our fastest," Faulds said. "Coach V has the ability to move him around, and he has a great work ethic."
"Marcus Tenney, Andre Bute, Omari Hastings, and Ivan Xu are all back. But we are also looking for some young guys like Oscar Wise to make a jump."
The Golden Hawks' defensive line is not only stacked with talent but also features a perfect mixture of veterans and youth, giving VanMoerkerke lots of depth to work with.
"When we go against a team that doesn't have great depth, we know that we are getting the best version of them early in the game. Whereas with our defensive line, we'll rotate eight guys deep so that they are just as fresh in the third quarter as they were in the first. We can win that by way of attrition."
LINEBACKERS
Departing: Jayden Griffiths
Returning: Jack Builder, JR Catulusi, Kai Gagnon, Ethan Gregorcic, Ethan McCullagh-Rabiner, Isaiah Obiorah, Maleek Russell, Jessie Wilkins-Flaricee
Incoming: Ethan Baird, Josh Connors, Liam Jackson, Sam Levasseur, Joseph Ngoy, Diego Rosas, Darcy Winsor
Following on the trend of depth, the linebacker's room has plenty, bringing back two key players in Ethan Gregorcic and Jessie Wilkins-Flaricee.
"Jessie was originally a defensive lineman, and we were in a situation last year having lost Ife Onyemenam, and coach V threw Jessie in there. We knew there would be some growing pains, but looking at how he developed in one season is incredible."
"He's getting more comfortable at the position, so it's scary to think how raw he was last season."
Wilkins-Flaricee went on to have the team's second-highest tackle total behind Maliek Cote.
"Ethan would admit he came out on the map in his freshman year. He got better as the season went on last year. I look for him to start where he finished off last year."
"We look for Jessie and Ethan to be one of the top pairings in the OUA."
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Returning: Valentine Adedeji, Famous Aghayere, Solomon Alphonsus, Ethan Bayfield, Maliek Cote, Harnoor Dhaliwal, Marco Di Nino, Mikai Dowe, Kiano Elliott, Ross Emokpae, Owen Goetz, Johari Hastings, Paul Loggale, Tristan Miller, Tucker Pinet
Incoming: King David Dapaah, Best Egbamuno, Liam Marsden, Cole O'Donnell, Javein Smith
The defensive backs are the only position with no departures for the Golden Hawks, adding to the team's overall defensive prowess.
"At one point, we thought the turnover was going to be very significant, but everyone is returning and bringing lots of experience with them," Faulds said.
"It's a great combination of some of the older guys who have been in the program for five years, like Maliek Cote, Ethan Bayfield, and Johari Hastings, but good youth as well, like Owen Goetz, who is one of our best athletes, and Paul Loggale, who is starter quality."
Faulds pointed out Harnoor Dhaliwal as someone he expects to make a big impact going into year two with the program.
"He's such a great leader, and he does a great job of communicating out there. He's been with guys like Johari, Ethan, and Tristan Miller all summer, and they almost have nonverbal communication because they've been around each other so much."
SPECIAL TEAMS
Departing: Jason MacGougan
Returning: Dawson Hodge, Marcus Reypa
Incoming: Josh Kibbee
Laurier's special teams department took a huge hit with the departure of long snapper Jason MacGougan, who had been Dawson Hodge's partner in crime for four years, before being signed by and playinf for the Calgary Stampeders in seven games so far
"That was our intent in recruiting. We said out of all positions, our biggest task is to get a long snapper, and we did just that in Josh Kibbee."
"The nice thing about Josh is that he's a little bit older. He's from the Ottawa area, but he went to John Abbott College in Montreal. He is a pure long snapper, and he takes a lot of pride in that."
Faulds spoke about Kibbee's transition to the team, saying, "We gave him, with coach Robichaud and coach Daly, a pitch count in terms of how many snaps he's doing per day in the summer."
He acknowledged there will be some growing pains, but is confident in Kibbee's and Hodge's abilities, and expects consistency all season.
GAME PREVIEW
"We know the daunting task of hard work ahead of us for the next four months, but we're all in it, and we're all ready to go."
Faulds and the defending Yates Cup champion Golden Hawks are focused on going 1-0 each week, and that starts on August 23 against the Guelph Gryphons in Guelph.
