Ettore Lattanzio named OUA’s Top Lineman among six Gee-Gees all-stars

The The J.P. Metras Award for OUA lineman of the year went to Ottawa defensive tackle Ettore Lattanzio as part of the league Awards banquet on Thursday morning in Hamilton. In addition, five Gee-Gees seniors were recognized as league all-stars.

Lattanzio topped the OUA and tied for the lead in the CIS with 10 sacks this season. The dynamic 6-foot, 230-pound Ottawa native counted 79 yards lost by opponents on sacks, which led the CIS.

Lattanzio's award marks the third time that a Gee-Gee has won the OUA league award, but the first since 1976. Five times a Gee-Gee was named the OQIFC league lineman of the year, including national winners Boyd Young in 1984 and Chris Gioskos in 1989.

Team mates describe him as having an unstoppable motor, and Lattanzio played through injuries throughout the year. The former high school wrestler at Mother Theresa High School was an OUA second team all-star in 2012, when he amassed eight sacks as a sophomore. Lattanzio was named the OUA defensive player of the week following his four-sack performance in the final week of the regular season against Windsor.

In addition to the major award, the third-year player also garnered a spot on the OUA First Team All-Star list, alongside Gee-Gees running back Brendan Gillanders who made the list on offence. Gillanders' 1061 all-purpose offensive yards was tops among CIS running backs this season, and he scored five touchdowns (3 receiving, 2 rushing) in his final year in garnet and grey.

Gillanders' offensive teammates were recognized on the OUA's second team of all-stars, including quarterback Aaron Colbon. The Ottawa native and three-year starter was recognized for the first time following his 2490-yard season which ranked him fourth in the country for yards per game.

The offensive line was also well-represented, with fourth-year guard Taylor Servais earning his second OUA all-star nomination and fifth-year centre Shavin Fernando being named for the first time.

Also being recognized for the first time was fifth-year safety Matt Bond, who netted 18 solo tackles and five assisted tackles in his final season anchoring the Gee-Gees backs.