CFL.ca Staff
ANTIGONISH, N.S. — The 2009 football season was Gary Waterman’s first year as head coach of the StFX X-Men, and his inaugural campaign was a good one. The X-Men began the season with a 5-0 record, and eventually finished the regular season at 6-2. They came from behind to beat Acadia in the AUS semi-finals, setting up yet another Loney Bowl match-up with Saint Mary’s. StFX came up short in the AUS championship game, losing 31-22 to the Huskies.
The 2009 X-Men football team sent six players to the CIS Vanier Cup festivities, including five CIS All-Canadians (Akeem Foster, Henoc Muamba, Tom Lynch, Dave Skillen, and Dylan Hollohan), along with the AUS nominee for rookie of the year (Nate Annan). The 2010 X-Men team will return four (Muamba, Lynch, Hollohan, Annan) of those six players.
Even with many solid returners, the 2010 X-Men will see many new faces in training camp. The 2009 team was a very veteran one, and many of its players have graduated and moved on. The X-Men feel they have assembled one of the most talented recruiting classes in the nation and, after a competitive training camp, some may be asked to step in and play right away.
Head coach Gary Waterman on the 2010 Team: “I am very excited to be entering my second season as head coach of the X-Men. I believe we have assembled a football team that has a great mix of returning, proven talent, and young, hungry, athletic players. It’s sure to make for an exciting year.”
2009 in review:
2009 regular season record: 6-2
2009 regular season standings: 2nd
2009 playoff record: 1-1
2009 playoff finish: lost to Saint Mary’s 31-22 in AUS championship
Head Coach – Gary Waterman
Number of seasons as head coach with team (including 2010): 2
Number of seasons as head coach in CIS (including 2010): 2
Career regular season record with team: 6-2
Career regular season record in CIS: 6-2
Career overall record with team (reg. season & playoffs only): 7-3
Career overall record in CIS (reg. season & playoffs only): 7-3
OFFENCE
Key returning players:
OL Stewart Walsh is entering his 4th season with the X-Men. He is coming off of a great 2009 season in which he was picked as an AUS all-star and played in the CIS East-West all-star Game.
SB Kwame Osei will be entering his 5th season with the X-Men in 2010. Kwame is a versatile player who will be looked upon to contribute both on the field and in the locker room.
RB Sean Atkins showed flashes of his talent in his rookie year as backup to veteran James Green. Sean had 187 yards and a touchdown in 2009, and his role is sure to increase in 2010.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
OL Chance Eckert comes to StFX all the way from Fredericksburg, Texas. Chance has twice earned Academic All-District accolades, and was once named Academic All-State. He was named 2nd team All-District, Mr. Football, and team captain in 2009.
WR Devon Bailey played for Mt. Carmel High School in Mississauga, ON. He was named Offensive Player of the Year, was ranked #1 in the region, top three in the GTA, and was named high school football MVP.
WR Jordan Catterall attended Holy Trinity High School in Oakville, ON. He had 607 yards receiving, 391 yards rushing, and scored 13 touchdowns in 2009
Key losses:
QB Steve Snyder had a great 5th and final season in 2009, throwing for 2353 yards and earning a spot on the AUS all-star team.
RB James Green was a CIS All-Canadian in 2008, and finished his career as the all time leading rusher in StFX history.
WR Akeem Foster caught 37 passes for 595 yards in 2009, earning him CIS 1st team All- Canadian honours. He is currently a member of the BC Lions active roster.
OL Christian Oberegger played his 5th season in 2009. Christian was an AUS all-star in 2008.
DEFENCE
Key returning players:
LB Henoc Muamba returns for his 4th season with the X-Men. Henoc is a two-time CIS All Canadian (2nd team All-Canadian in 2008 and 1st team All-Canadian in 2009) and the former AUS Defensive MVP and President’s Trophy nominee (2008).
LB Tom Lynch returns for his 5th season at StFX. Tom is the reigning AUS Defensive MVP and was a President’s Trophy Nominee in 2009. He finished last season with 41 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for a loss.
DB Dylan Hollohan returns from a 2009 campaign in which he earned his first CIS All- Canadian honour. Dylan had a great second year, racking up 5 interceptions in the regular season, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He was also selected as a member of the elite international World team who competed against Team USA last January during NFL Pro Bowl week.
DL Thomas Nairbaitz had a great rookie season for the X-Men in 2009, earning a spot on the AUS all-star team. Thomas had 13 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 interception from his defensive tackle position.
Key recruits (or newcomers: transfers):
DB Raye Hartmann is from Mississauga ON, and comes to the X-Men after playing a season for the Vanier Cheetahs in the CEGEP league. He has been a three-time GTA all-star, an OVFL all-star, and has twice been named Defensive Player of the Year.
DB Jeremiah Hamilton is from Chatham, ON, and attended John McGregor Secondary School. Jeremiah was the 2009 JMSS Sr. Football team MVP, a 1st team City All-Star, and was the school’s Athlete of the Year.
DE Marcus Wisdom comes to StFX from St. Joan of Arc High School in Mississauga, ON. He was twice named the team’s Best Defensive Lineman (2008, 2009), and has been named to the ROPSSAA and GTA all-star teams.
Key losses:
DE Dave Skillen leaves StFX after a great five year career for the X-Men. Dave was a CIS All- Canadian in 2009 and a leader on and off the field.
DE Yahia Dalloul had 41 tackles, including 4 tackles for a loss, in 2009. He signed a CFL contract with the Hamilton Tiger Cats early in the year.
LB Jordan Hoolihan had a solid career at StFX. In 2009 he racked up 22.5 tackles and also broke up 3 passes.
DB Cauchy Muamba was drafted by the BC Lions, and currently holds a place on their practice roster.
DB Kwasi Nkansah had 35 tackles and 2 interceptions in 2009, putting a cap on a great career at StFX.
-With files from St. Francis Xavier University X-Men Football Team
