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A New Era Looms For Stingers Football

SportsJulian McKenzie — Published August 26, 2014

It’s the dawn of a new era for Concordia football.

After the team failed to register a win last season, the Stingers have cleaned house and begun anew with a different coaching staff. Former Stingers linebacker Mickey Donovan is at the helm, and the new bench boss has wasted no time in putting his players in fighting shape.

Video by Shaun Michaud

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Donovan. “The [players] are giving it their all, the coaches are working hard, they’re putting their hours in.”

The Stingers haven’t had a winning season since 2008, when the team finished with a 5-3 record and reached the provincial championship game, and while their ultimate goal is to win a championship, the players remain realistic.

“Last year wasn’t the greatest time for us, it wasn’t the greatest season,” said Stingers defensive tackle Shaquille Armstrong. “But we can only go up from here.”

“I’d love to have us go all the way but realistically I’d just like to have us to go as far as we can go and know what we can do.”

With players like Quinn Smith, Max Caron and Kris Bastien, and starting quarterback Reid Quest gone from the squad, the Stingers will look to new leaders such as slotback Jamal Henry and linebacker Mikael Charland, in the hopes of restoring former glory to Concordia football.

“I expect to play a big role in this year’s team, to lead the younger guys,” said Henry. “Because this is a stepping stone.”

“We went 0-8 last year and we’re setting the pace for the future, to make guys want to come here,” he concluded.

The Stingers begin their football season at home versus Bishop’s University on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.