"There's a lot of things that we like." J-P Circelli, head coach of Windsor Lancers football team.
For the first time since he arrived on campus in 2019 J-P Circelli enters a season uninterrupted. "We've been really able to instill our culture and what we think the standard needs to be." Circelli said. "There's the talent now for us to really build on the success from last year."
The Lancers finished 4-4 a year ago and saw playoff action for the first time since 2014. A three-point loss to Ottawa was a tough pill to swallow for the team and motivated players during the off-season. "There weren't too many people who weren't here throughout the summer and it's showing off in camp."
Circelli feels his team is in better shape, more athletic and further ahead than in years past. There are many things that bring him optimism for the upcoming season including the impact local players are having on the defensive side. "You got, if you really wanna call it, three pillars at each level. You have Muftah Ageli in the middle. Having Devin Veresuk, he's gonna have a monster year roaming the middle at linebacker and having Brett MacDougall be our first draft pick (Winnipeg of CFL), sent back and the experience he's able to bring. I mean, there's three guys that anyone in the city can look to and say ok I'd like to be like them at some point."
Offensively, Danny Skelton enter his third year at quarterback and last year's team MVP, Joey Zorn is back after a stellar rookie season that saw him gain 856 yards on the ground and score seven touchdown. He also pulled in 19 catches for two touchdowns. "The offensive line is a veteran group, the running backs keep getting better and we've added some key pieces to the receivers as well. We feel good in all areas.
Game time is 7pm. Watch OUA.TV to see the action.
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