Concordia Football Underway

Stingers Prep For Season, Hold Practice with CEGEP Teams

SportsAlex Di Pietro — Published August 24, 2010

“Most of the players we recruited in the off-season were from out of province and they’re the same age or younger than the CEGEP players,” said head coach Gerry McGrath. “So I think it was a great matchup for them as a first time out.”

The practice provided the opportunity for McGrath and his new coaching staff—consisting of former Montreal Alouette Bryan Chiu and experienced Canadian Interuniversity Sports coach Phil Roberts—to see local talent.

The scrimmage also served as preparation for the team’s only exhibition game, which is slated for Aug. 26 against the University of Guelph.

“Our scrimmage on the weekend against Vanier College was a chance to give a lot of guys who may not get another look this year a shot,” McGrath said. “Everybody will have had an opportunity by the time we’re done with the exhibition game.”

McGrath will have to do without the services of linebacker Cory Greenwood, offensive lineman Kristian Matte and receiver Cory Watson this season, as they have all found success in the professional ranks.

“It’s always difficult when you lose a player before you thought you would,” said McGrath. “But that’s what the program is all about. We’re trying to get young men an education and get them a chance to play pro football.”

In terms of new players making a breakthrough at camp, McGrath said he was pleased with the performances of defensive lineman Quinn Smith, linebacker Max Caron and running back Raul Thompson.

“We won’t have too many more cuts to make. There may be another three or four who go and our team will ­be made up of the rest which will probably leave us with 85 or 86 players,” said McGrath.

This article originally appeared in Volume 31, Issue 02, published August 24, 2010.