It’s been 679 days since the Western Mustangs players put on their pads for a football game. So many things have happened in our world between November 9, 2019, the last time the Mustangs played, and the kick-off to the 2021 season. The excitement level is off the charts for the purple and white and there is a whole new look to the team running out of the purple W this fall.
Some keys names have graduated from the Mustangs program, including Chris Merchant, Cole Majoros, Marc Liegghio and Dylan Giffen, among others, which means that opportunities to step up are available. A new group of Mustangs will look to carry on the team’s ongoing track record of success, which last saw a regular season loss in Sept. of 2016.
Head Coach Greg Marshall will continue to preach a week-by-week approach for his team, and the players hope that all the training, prep and anticipation leads to yet another long run of Mustangs Football in 2021.
Key Returning Players – Offence
Brett Ellerman will play a key role in the receiver corps for Western this year. Ellerman led the team in 2019 with 39 receptions for 621 total yards and 5 touchdowns. The Calgary, AB native is in his final year of eligibility, and he’s looking to finish out his university career on a high note.
Zack Fry, a London native, is coming off a huge season in 2019 in which he was a 1st Team All-Star at Tackle along with fellow Mustang (and now Toronto Argonaut) Dylan Giffen. Fry was named an All-Rookie team member in 2018 and now takes another step forward as a leader on the offensive line.
Elliot Beamer, a 3rd year offensive lineman, spent the extended break from play aiming to improve his fitness, including constructing his own gym at home in BC out of cinder blocks, tractor tires and whatever was available. The Mustangs’ centre was a 2019 1st Team All-Star.
Spencer Hood is the senior member of the offensive line for this year’s Mustangs. He made a full-time move from the defensive line to the offensive line in 2018. Hood had an exceptional year in 2019 and was named a 1st Team All-Star at Guard.
Key Returning Players – Defence
Deionte Knight has been waiting anxiously for the 2021 season, as he only played in 4 regular season games in 2019 after suffering an injury in week 2, forced to sit out until returning in the playoffs. In 2018, the Ajax, ON native recorded 15 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Austin Fordham-Miller stepped up in a big way in 2019 with 30 tackles in the regular season along with a sack, which drew the attention of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats who signed him over the summer. He’s back with the Mustangs and will be a force on the defensive side of the ball.
Daniel Valente Jr. laid out 20 tackles in 2019 in 5 regular season games. In 2018, the London, ON native had 31 tackles, and he’s poised for another breakout season for Western as a leader in his 3rd season as a starter.
Nicholas Theriault returns to the Mustangs after laying out 17 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2019, a year after he had 10 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 2018. The Quebec native looks to join the leadership group on defence and help get the Mustangs back to championship contention.
Submitted by the Western Mustangs
