Huronia Stallions Alumni Enjoy Stunning Successes

Huronia Stallions alumni had an outstanding fall football season at various post-secondary football programs. Barrie native and former Stallions and Acadia University quarterback Kyle Graves signed with the Montreal Alouettes as a receiver and was their starting 5th receiver in their playoff loss to the Grey Cup bound Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Stallions had four players make their respective Conference All-Star teams. Barrie natives Terry Hart (St. Francis Xavier), Cameron Thorn (Guelph), Dan Vandervoort(McMaster) and Oro resident Jakob Piotrowski (Guelph) were all named to their respective Conference All-Start teams.

Thorn became the fourth Stallion to be named as an All-Canadian, which is the highest honour for a University Football player. Both Thorn and Piotrowski were drafted last year by the B.C. Lions and Montreal Alouettes respectively and both have resigned and will be attending training camp this spring. Vandervoort became the second Stallion to be named Conference Rookie of the Year. At the Vanier Cup awards banquet he will be the OUA’s nominee for the Peter Gorman Trophy, which honours the National Rookie of the Year.

There were 31 Stallions who played CIS football this year including Barrie native Ed Shrubsole who was a starting defensive back with the Yates Cup Champion Western Mustangs. Shrubsole had the honour of playing in the nationally televised Mitchell Bowl at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. In Canadian Junior Football, Barrie resident Jess Tonn was named an Ontario Football Conference All-Star as a defensive back.

The Stallions also had 5 CIS coaches this season. Former Stallions player, coach and Orillia native Clint Uttley continues to lead the resurgence of McGill Football as their Head Coach. Another Orillia native is long time CIS, NCAA and Stallions Coach Josh Lambert who was the Offensive Coordinator this fall at St. Francis Xavier. Joining him on the St. F.X. Staff was the current Stallions Junior Varsity Defensive Coordinator and Barrie resident Nikola Alves. Orillia native Taylor Shadgett and Midhurst native Brett Haenni were both on the coaching staff at Acadia University where they are alumni and former players.

With the Stallions Varsity team advancing to three consecutive championship games the future looks bright for future success stories.