Last year the Calgary Colts had to fill a lot of holes on the defensive line. This year, it’s the offensive line’s turn.
Offensive coordinator Adam Blasetti had to find replacements for eight players among the offence’s big boys – three of them were fifth year players including an all-Canadian in guard Frank Pellegrino.
“We lost a lot this off season, but our guys have committed to not allowing a drop off in play,” Blasetti said.
The first real look at what Blasetti’s work with the offensive line can be seen July 27 when the Colts open their Prairie Football Conference training camp at Hellard Field with a 9 a.m. session.
Gone from the offensive line are Pellegrino and Travis Tanaka to graduation, Grant Smitt and Sean McCreary to retirement, Greg Hannah to the Colts’ defensive line, and Andrew Driusso to the University of Calgary Dinos and Eli Hankinson to the University of Alberta Golden Bears.
Returning and expected to start are Grant Potter (6-foot-4, 325 pounds) at left guard, Kenton Boote (6-2, 300) at centre, Tyler Scott (5-10, 275) at right guard and Sean Swanney (6-6, 315) at right tackle. Scott missed all of last year because of an injury and Swanney had injury problems also that shortened his season.
Other returners are Taylor Holden (6-4, 325), Matt Baldwin (6-0, 285), Stephane Hollinger (6-1, 260) and Daniel Benner (5-10, 265).
“I think Adam has put together a good group in terms of recruiting and in terms of working hard in the off-season to get up to speed,” head coach John Stevens said.
Among the recruits, one is expected to start at left tackle. Jon Ledoux is 6-7, 340 and played four games at the U of A last season.
Alex Stewart (6-4, 295) was a Peace District all-star from Grande Prairie. Kruse Hofferd (6-4, 280) of Peace River was also a Peace District all-star. Shane Richards (6-9, 275) of Crescent Heights was a three-time Calgary high school all-star.
Cousins Alessandro Flaviano (5-10, 275) of Notre Dame and Lucas Flaviano (6-2, 240) of Bishop Grandin were also Calgary high school all-stars.
“We had a very good off-season in the gym training and a great recruiting year,” Blasetti said. “The line will battle hard and compete every day. They will play physical football and be leaders on and off the field for our team.”
The Colts will work out from 9-11:30 a.m., and 1-3:30 p.m. Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28. Practices will be from 6:30-9 p.m. July 29, 30 and 31. The Colts will break from Aug. 2-5.
The first chance at game action will come Aug. 11 when the Colts travel to Edmonton for an exhibition outing with the Wildcats and Huskies, playing each one half of a simulated game.
The Colts open the season on the road Aug. 18 against the Regina Thunder; their home opener is Sept. 8 vs. the Winnipeg Rifles.
Photo is offensive centre Kenton Boote. Credit: Shawn Thompson, Silverfox Photography
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