2013 regular season record: 3-5
2013 regular season standings: 3rd place in AUS
2013 playoff record: 0-1
2013 playoff finish: Lost 19-10 to Mount Allison in AUS semifinal
The 2014 Acadia Axemen enter the season full of optimism with a talented roster, looking to improve on a 3-5 regular season record last year, good enough for a third place finish in the AUS standings.
While 2013 was a disappointment for the Axemen, who lost 19-10 in semifinal play to eventual AUS Loney Bowl champion Mount Allison Mounties, the 2013 squad was better than their record indicated having been involved in five close losses.
On defence, CIS All-Canadian defensive lineman Jesse St. James, who led the country with 11.0 sacks along with CFL draft pick (Hamilton) Martin Pesek will lead the charge upfront, while All-Canadian defensive back Brett Backman returns for his fifth and final season.
Offensively, a talented backfield will include runningbacks Thomas Troop, a third-year all-star along with fifth-year senior Zack Clarke.
For the second year in a row, the Axemen will have a new starting quarterback and he'll have to acclimate himself quickly to the level of competition at the University level.
The good news is that the Axemen are better at all the positions around the new pivot including offensive line, receivers and runningbacks. CIS East/West game MVP punter/kicker Ryan Begin returns to handle all special team kicking duties this season.
Quote from head coach Jeff Cummins:
(Follow Jeff on twitter at https://twitter.com/JeffCummins99)
"We were frustrated with the outcome of last season and believe we were better than our final record in 2013. There are a lot of reasons why we didn't reach our goals, but dwelling on the past only takes focus from 2014. We will focus forward only in the coming weeks"
Head Coach:
- Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2013): 12
- Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2012): 12
- Career regular season record with team: 47 W-42 L
- Career regular season record in CIS: 47 W-42 L
- Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 53 W 52 L
OFFENCE
Number of returning starters: 7
Key returning players: (five returning)
- Key returners include Thomas Troop at tailback, Brian Jones and Jordan Koch at receiver. All three can make big plays when they have the ball in their hands.
- Offensive linemen Chris Fanning and Kirby Fletcher (Toronto Argonauts draft pick) are ready to anchor the 2014 herd.
Key recruits or transfers: (four)
- At the pivot position, Javon Smith (6-foot-2, 220 lbs out of Merced Jr. College, California) is an athletic quarterback with a strong arm. Jon Shaw (6-foot-4, 215 lbs....a Bishops University transfer out of Asbury College, in Ottawa), will add experience and also compete through camp for the starting spot.
- Jamahll Charles (6-foot-3, 210 lbs out of Franco Cite SS, Ottawa, ON), is a receiver with a very good pedigree. He has been a stand out at Vanier College (CEGEP), for the past two seasons. Prior to that, Jamahll was named an all-star at the 2013 Football Canada Cup.
- Brandon Smith (6-foot-0, 180 lbs from the Cumberland Panthers, Ottawa, Ont.), is an athletic receiver with big upside.
Key losses: (1)
- The biggest loss is two-time all Canadian receiver Taylor Renaud (Winnipeg Blue Bombers)
DEFENCE
Number of returning starters: 7
Key returning players:
- Brett Backman (Tantallon, N.S.), a all-Canadian defensive halfback and special teams dynamo will return for his fifth year along with fast slick corners Suleiman Semalulu (Gatineau, Que.), and Harland Hastings (Calgary, Alta.). Backman had four interceptions last year, including two that were brought back for majors.
- Drew Morris (Ottawa, Ont.), a 2012 AUS all-conference linebacker will be looking to bounce back from an injury that cut short his 2013 season.
- 2013 all-Canadian defensive end, Jesse St James (Montreal, Que.), led the country in sacks, while CFL draft pick Martin Pesek (Toronto, Ont.), returns for his last year at the defensive end position. Martin was second in the nation in sacks.
Key recruits or transfers: (5)
- The "X" factor could be Brian Doyle at linebacker. A transfer from the USA, Doyle had to sit out all last year and is extremely hungry to make a name for himself here at Acadia.
- Jesse Boudreau (6-foot-1, 210 lbs from Charles P Allen HS, Bedford, N.S.), a standout for team NS and a provincial all-star and Evan Shergold (Toronto, Ont.), are both expected to turn heads.
- Aaron Bourdages (6-foot-3, 225 lbs out of St. Basil HS, Sault Ste Marie, Ont.), and Matt Cook (6-foot-4, 230 lbs from St Pete's HS, Ottawa, Ont.), had huge seasons in summer play in the Ontario Varsity Football League and will hope to continue their success at Acadia.
Key losses: (1)
- The defensive back corp lose two-time all-Canadian Cam Wade and defensive line standout Kirby Fletcher moves to the O-line to hone his skills for a promising CFL future.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Key returning players:
- Ryan Begin (Ottawa, Ont.), will handle the kicking and punting duties in 2014. Coming off an all-conference selection in 2013 and stand out performance at the East/West game, Ryan, is expected to continue his success into 2014.
Key recruits or transfers: NA
Key losses:
- Scott Kelly, a senior receiver who took on returning duties last season has graduated leaving an open competition for a new returner.