Dressed in no game last year in his rookie season at just 18 years old, linebacker Antoine Guay-Tanguay will get his first career start on Saturday as the curtain-raiser to the playoffs.
This season, the pride of the small municipality of Sainte-Sabine located in the Chaudière-Appalaches region played all eight games of the regular schedule. In Sherbrooke during the last game of the season, last Saturday, he hit in relief of Justin Cloutier who injured a hamstring in the first quarter while chasing quarterback Samuel Goulet-Ménard.
The star linebacker is unable to face the Stingers. “I have been preparing for this moment for two years,” said Guay-Tanguay. “I wanted to be ready when I was needed. I prepared every week like I was going to play. I wanted to be able to help when needed.”
“It’s a bigger stage in the playoffs and the stakes are higher, but I’ve been preparing for that all season,” continued the linebacker who wore the colors of the Clearwater International Academy for two years before ‘opted for the Rouge et Or. “I didn’t want to be taken by surprise when the moment arrived.”
All week, Guay-Tanguay and Étienne Delisle shared training rehearsals. Both saw action on defense against the Vert & Or, occupying an important place on special teams.
First start this season
Hero of the victory against the Stingers in the semi-final last year with six receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns, Édouard Arsenault will get his first start of the season. Injured in the head at the East-West Challenge last May, the receiver of 4e year returned to action against the McGill Redbirds two weeks ago in a reserve role.
“I have noticed a big difference since my return,” said the Master of Business Administration student. “I’m faster, I think less and I’m more comfortable. I found my bearings.”
Given that he missed the first six games of the season and that the offense was running smoothly, Arsenault was not absolutely aiming for a return as a starter. “When I came back, I told Justin [Éthier] not to change the offense in order to include me,” he said. “I enjoyed my role. When Guillaume returns [Cauchon]I won’t mind if I return to my role.”
Cauchon was injured against the Vert & Or and is unable to face the Stingers.
Arsenault held down the fort in the semi-final against Concordia while Kevin Mital, Olivier Cool and Andrew Menzies were injured along the way, not to mention that Isaac Gaillardetz was not in uniform due to an injury.
“The Stingers like to take risks and we took our vertical chances,” he explained. “Concordia is banking on a good tertiary line, particularly with Mendel Joseph who is one of the best defensive backs in our conference.”
Joseph can boast of being the only one who made an interception at the expense of Arnaud Desjardins this season.
Season over for Edward Bolduc
For a second consecutive game, Benjamin Nadon will play as a starting defensive back on the short side of the field. He bats in relief of Edward Bolduc whose season is over due to a thumb injury suffered during a game against McGill.
Elected to the RSEQ all-star team, Bolduc underwent surgery last week.
