The excitement around the 50th anniversary of Lancer Football continues to build as the Blue & Gold get ready to open their 2018 OUA regular season. Armed with a healthy quarterback and a talented and deep recruiting class, the Lancers appear poised to make some noise in conference play this year.
 
Leading the way for the Lancers will be third year pivot Sam Girard. After missing six games last season with an injury, Girard returns with another year of experience under his belt. Despite playing in only one full game last season, Girard led the Lancers to a season-ending victory over the York Lions.
 
Girard will have significant help in the backfield as he's joined by a pair of talented tailbacks in fourth year senior Marvin Gaynor and third year veteran Marcus Kentner. Gaynor comes off a solid 2017 season that saw him finish second in the OUA in rushing with 935 yards while Kentner chipped in with 662 rushing yards.
 
The receiving corps is in capable hands and led by veterans Kaedan Walls and Matt James.  Walls caught 16 passes for 293 receiving yards and a touchdown last season and is expected to be a key target for Sam Girard.
 
The offensive line will be led by first year coach Randy Beardy and is anchored by veterans Lucas Moore and Drew Desjarlais.  Newcomer Blake Collison is also expected to push for playing time as the line focuses on protecting Girard in the pocket. Collison, a six-foot-four and 270-pound lineman was also a member of the Canadian national junior squad that recently won the 2018 IFAF World Junior Championships in Mexico City.
 
The defensive side of the ball will see significant changes as new defensive coordinator Jesse Alexander is set to make his debut on August 26 when the Lancers open the season on the road at Waterloo. Alexander is an experienced OUA coach and comes to Windsor after previous stints at York and his alma mater Wilfrid Laurier.
 
The Lancers return 5^th year senior DB Matt Gayer and veteran Evan Martin to lead the group. Gayer, a former OUA All-star, will add valuable experience and leadership to a young core on defense that's looking to make big strides this season.  Third year standout Daniel Metcalfe will anchor the linebacking corps that is looking to make their presence felt as well. Metcalfe led the OUA in total tackles last season with 71.5.
 
Senior Courtney Ellis anchors the defensive line along with talented CJFL addition Adam Slikboer. Slikboer, a 6'4 defensive end spent the past four seasons with the Windsor AKO Fratmen where he was a CJFL All-Canadian and defensive player and lineman of the year this past season. He is expected to provide an immediate impact on a defensive group looking to disrupt the opposing team's offense each week.
 
The kicking duties will once again be handled by fifth year senior Clark Green. Green finished fourth last season in the conference in field goal percentage at 81% and is expected to provide Windsor with a strong kicking game again this year.
 
The Lancers home opener is on Monday, Sept. 3 at 3pm when they host the Carleton Ravens. Coach D'Amore, who was a receiver for the Blue and Gold in the 1990s, is excited to again be leading the Lancers into battle this season.
 
"It is a great feeling to be able to lead my alma mater into its 50th year of football," explained D'Amore. "It was always a dream of mine to become a head coach and do it for my old team is a thrill.  Being a Lancer is very special because it has pretty much been my whole life. It is who I am, something that not a lot of people can say."
 
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Windsor Lancer football, the program will be hosting an Alumni Weekend on September 29, 2018 at the University of Windsor & Alumni Field. For more information on the festivities, please visit goLancers.ca/FB50.

50th ANNIVERSARY SCHEDULE - September 29, 2018
 
ALUMNI BRUNCH - 10:00 am
The Alumni brunch will kick off the weekend celebration! Enjoy a warm breakfast in the multi-purpose room of the St. Denis Centre, while visiting with former teammates and meeting alumni from other generations. 

Lancer Football vs Toronto Varsity Blues - 1:00 pm
Following the brunch, head out to Alumni Field as the Lancers take on the visiting Toronto Varsity Blues at 1:00pm. The game is set to be action packed not only on the field, but in the stands as well! Join us as we recognize the 2018 UWindsor Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inductees, 

TICKET PACKAGES

2018 SEASON TICKETS - $50 (early bird special $40)
Receive preferred seating for all four Lancer home games for the entire 2018 season. 
PURCHASE SEASON TICKETS

ALUMNI WEEKEND PACKAGE - $35
Attend a brunch on Saturday morning and mingle with former teammates and Lancers from across all generations before taking in the Lancer football game against the Toronto Varsity Blues. You will receive a free ticket to the game with your purchase of a brunch ticket. 
PURCHASE THE ALUMNI WEEKEND PACKAGE

50TH ANNIVERSARY BUNDLE - $75
2018 Season Tickets & Alumni Weekend Brunch
Receive preferred seating for all four Lancer home games for the entire 2018 season while not missing out on the Alumni weekend brunch and the opportunity to catch up with former teammates and coaches.  
PURCHASE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY BUNDLE

LANCER FOOTBALL PRIDE PACKAGE - $150
Support the Lancer Football program with this great offer. 
With this package, you receive preferred seating for all four Lancer home games for the entire 2018 season, a ticket to the Alumni weekend brunch, a commemorative 50th anniversary item and a $50 tax receipt
PURCHASE THE PRIDE PACKAGE