Lancers want to take next step

"I've been excited for the past month and a half." said linebacker Devin Veresuk at training camp.

The Windsor Lancers football team had a different mentality during the off-season. "The guys just want it." Said Veresuk, a third year out of Holy Names. "We had that taste of winning, made it to the playoffs and just made us hungrier really."

The Lancers went 4-4 in 2022 and earned a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They went toe to toe and were up nine points in the OUA quarterfinals over the Ottawa Gee Gee's early in the 4th quarter before falling 43-40. "It has pushed us and left a bad taste in our mouths. That was definitely some extra motivation during the off-season."

With 21 tackles last season Veresuk matched his total from the previous season minus one game. He's hoping to stay healthy and make a bigger impact. "I focused a lot more of stretching and recovery. Injury prevention. That is my goal. I want to play a full season."

Defensive lineman Muftah Ageli played all eight games and had a break out season in 2022. He made 16 more tackles than in his rookie season and even scored a TD earning the nod as an OUA 2nd Team All-Star. He says the team came together as a unit during the off-season. "We had a lot of lifts. Everyone was out here getting close. More like a family. We're ready."

Ageli didn't let an extended visit to Libya to see family slow his training. He did part of his workout on the beach. "I feel the sand helped out with my knees and ankles." Ageli feels not wearing cleats helped him improve. "Honestly doing that was good. I feel better on my get-off."

Entering his third year Ageli says the vibe on the field and in the new locker room is filled with optimism. 'We're competing. Everybody is trying to be better than the next guy."

The Lancers open their season on the road at McMaster August 26th before hosting their home opener September 3rd vs Guelph. Their annual Blue-Gold game is scheduled for Friday.

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