SEASON PREVIEW: Gee-Gees football ready to run for 2022

Following an encouraging end to the 2021 season, which included their first playoff victory in seven years, the Gee-Gees football program is aiming to take another step in a positive direction in 2022.

Back playing at TD Place Stadium for a second straight season, head coach Marcel Bellefeuille's team are looking forward to returning to a traditional eight-game schedule, following an abbreviated six-game regular season in 2021 due to COVID-19 regulations.

Tickets for all Gee-Gees home games are on sale at tickets.geegees.ca.

"Getting a whole offseason, as opposed to last year gave us a lot more time to develop culture and relationships within the team," said quarterback Ben Maracle. "It's great for chemistry to have the guys we do coming back, having those guys that you can communicate with, and trust is key for the offence and moving the ball."

Ottawa found their groove in the latter half of 2021, bolstered by a dramatic, last-minute victory in the Panda Game. Including that triumph over Carleton, the Gee-Gees won four of their final six games, an OUA East semi-final matchup in Toronto against the Varsity Blues among them.

The Gee-Gees offence will be led by an experienced backfield, with quarterback Ben Maracle and running back J-P Cimankinda returning after strong 2021 campaigns. The receiving corps features familiar faces Daniel Oladejo, Rodney Estimé, Tristin Park, and Nicholas Gendron, while tackle fourth-year tackle James du Manoir anchors the offensive line.

"I like what I'm seeing from some of the new guys and the backups from last year stepping up," said Cimankinda, who was drafted by the Edmonton Elks in the 2022 CFL Draft. "I'm pretty impressed. We're making big plays in camp and syncing together."

"We're looking very good right now in training camp and the last OTAs," said Park, entering his fifth year of eligibility. "Last year was the first year with a new coach, so it was an adjustment trying to get used to a new system. This year we're full force and we're going to be a force to be reckoned with." 

Defensively, Ottawa was stingy as ever last year, conceding the second-fewest points in the OUA East. The bulk of the defence is back for 2022, including CFL draftees Michael Pezzuto and Adam Wallace, captain James Peter, and steady cornerback Kevin Victome. 

"I feel like we're on a good path – guys are doing their jobs," said Peter, an Ottawa product. "We're just looking forward to playing football. A lot of guys are hungry this year and trying to get it. I've got a couple of years under my belt, so I'm seeing offences a bit better and it's helping me with how I play in the box as a linebacker."

Quote from head coach: Marcel Bellefeuille

"Our team has been progressing. Our guys have been working on their technical skills, but also developing the culture we want to have as a program, learning how to practice and how to be pros. Last year was a fragmented season for a lot of different reasons, so we're looking to take the things we learned last year and apply them to the field more consistently. We're continuing to work on preparation – how to prepare physically, mentally, and how to work off the field and in the classroom." 

Head Coach: Marcel Bellefeuille 

• Number of seasons as head coach with the Gee-Gees (including 2022): fifth
• Number of seasons as head coach in U SPORTS (including 2021): five
• Career regular season record with Gee-Gees: 29-8
• Career regular season record in U SPORTS: 29-8

OFFENCE 

Number of returning starters: Eight
Key returning players: Ben Maracle (QB), J-P Cimankinda (RB), Rodney Estimé (REC), Daniel Oladejo (REC), Nicholas Gendron (REC), Tristin Park (REC), James du Manoir (OL) 
Key recruits or transfers: Willy-Pierre Dimbongi (REC), Charles Asselin (RB), Zachary Cloutier (OL)
Key losses: Zack Peleos (OL), Brett Jelley (OL), Nathan Walker (REC)

DEFENCE

Number of returning starters: Nine 
Key returning players: Michael Pezzuto (DL), Adam Wallace (DL), Kevin Anderson (DL), James Peter (LB), Max Charbonneau (LB), Eric Cumberbatch (DB), Kevin Victome (DB), Christopher Cyril (DB) 
Key recruits or transfers: Patrick Cumberbatch (DB), Jaxxon Brashear (DB), Marc Rondeau (LB) 
Key losses: Luke Griese (DB), Chris Ciguineau (DB), Tramayne Stephen (DL), Frednick Eveillard (DL) 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Key returning players: Campbell Fair (K/P), Desmond Pelto (LS), Daniel Oladejo (KR/PR), Maxim Malenfant (KR/PR)
Key losses: Nathan Walker (KR/PR)

The 2022 Gee-Gees football season is presented in partnership with Lekadir LLP.