Latest news with #Dyce
Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- Calgary Herald
Ottawa Redblacks: Why winning is secondary in CFL pre-season finale
Completing their exhibition schedule with an unblemished record will not be the priority for the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday. Article content Article content Sure they'd like to beat the Montreal Alouettes for the second week in a row — all proud professional athletes want to win every game they play — but the coaching staff is more concerned with determining the roster for a game just six days later, when the Redblacks kick off the Canadian Football League's 2025 schedule in Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Article content Article content That means fans at TD Place for Ottawa's first home game since last season's Week 21, 37-31 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will not see most of the team's front-line players. Article content Article content Among those watching the action in civilian clothes will be quarterback Dru Brown, Most Outstanding Player award nominee Justin Hardy, the flashy Kalil Pimpleton, Bralon Addison, Devonte Dedmon, new offensive weapons Geno Lewis and William Stanback, most offensive- and defensive-line starters, Jovan Santos-Knox and Adarius 'The Party Starter' Pickett. Article content What will be on display are fierce battles for the few available starting jobs, backup spots, practice-roster vacancies and even trying to be noticed by other CFL teams looking to fill holes. Article content 'We bring in 85 guys, plus the non-counters, and on Day 1, I tell them, whether they make our roster or in the preseason, they need to perform so somebody else may see them and give them an opportunity,' head coach Bob Dyce said at TD Place on Thursday, the Redblacks' first day back at home base after a training camp held at Queen's University in Kingston. Article content Article content 'I'd love to see all these guys play in the league, whether it's with us or somebody else. That's our goal as coaches: prepare them, make these guys better players, so that they continue to to have opportunities.' Article content Talking to the team at Dyce's request earlier in the day was defensive back Justin Howell, a former Carleton Raven who the Redblacks selected with their seventh-round pick (55th overall) in the 2018 draft and has been a mainstay since. Article content Dyce, who was the Redblacks special-teams coach then, remembers vividly how Howell performed that year in the pre-season finale against the Toronto Argonauts. Article content 'It sticks in my mind,' Dyce said. 'Justin went out, played on special teams and made the point that I had to go to the head coach (who was Rick Campbell, now Redblacks special-teams coach) and say, 'We cannot release this guy.'
Ottawa Citizen
7 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Ottawa Redblacks: Why winning is secondary in CFL pre-season finale
Completing their exhibition schedule with an unblemished record will not be the priority for the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday. Article content Article content Sure they'd like to beat the Montreal Alouettes for the second week in a row — all proud professional athletes want to win every game they play — but the coaching staff is more concerned with determining the roster for a game just six days later, when the Redblacks kick off the Canadian Football League's 2025 schedule in Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Article content Article content That means fans at TD Place for Ottawa's first home game since last season's Week 21, 37-31 victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will not see most of the team's front-line players. Article content Article content Among those watching the action in civilian clothes will be quarterback Dru Brown, Most Outstanding Player award nominee Justin Hardy, the flashy Kalil Pimpleton, Bralon Addison, Devonte Dedmon, new offensive weapons Geno Lewis and William Stanback, most offensive- and defensive-line starters, Jovan Santos-Knox and Adarius 'The Party Starter' Pickett. Article content What will be on display are fierce battles for the few available starting jobs, backup spots, practice-roster vacancies and even trying to be noticed by other CFL teams looking to fill holes. Article content 'We bring in 85 guys, plus the non-counters, and on Day 1, I tell them, whether they make our roster or in the preseason, they need to perform so somebody else may see them and give them an opportunity,' head coach Bob Dyce said at TD Place on Thursday, the Redblacks' first day back at home base after a training camp held at Queen's University in Kingston. Article content Article content 'I'd love to see all these guys play in the league, whether it's with us or somebody else. That's our goal as coaches: prepare them, make these guys better players, so that they continue to to have opportunities.' Article content Talking to the team at Dyce's request earlier in the day was defensive back Justin Howell, a former Carleton Raven who the Redblacks selected with their seventh-round pick (55th overall) in the 2018 draft and has been a mainstay since. Article content Dyce, who was the Redblacks special-teams coach then, remembers vividly how Howell performed that year in the pre-season finale against the Toronto Argonauts. Article content 'It sticks in my mind,' Dyce said. 'Justin went out, played on special teams and made the point that I had to go to the head coach (who was Rick Campbell, now Redblacks special-teams coach) and say, 'We cannot release this guy.'
Press and Journal
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League digest: Turriff United boss Warren Cummings on new signing plus Formartine United and Deveronvale news
Turriff United manager Warren Cummings is delighted to have brought Murray Thompson back to the club. The 21-year-old midfielder was previously at the Haughs between 2020 and 2023 and made 36 appearances. He then moved to Rothie Rovers before joining Dyce for the 2024-25 campaign. But Thompson has now returned to Turra on a four-year deal. Boss Cummings said: 'We're really happy to have signed Murray, he's someone I've liked for a while, having seen him playing for Rothie and then Dyce. 'He's got a lot of ability and makes a big impact in the final third. It's taken a while for us to get the deal done, but we're happy to have sorted it out now. 'I know Murray was previously at the club, but he had left before I became manager. 'However, a few different people at Turriff mentioned him to me and have always spoken highly of him. 'Then once I watched Murray I could understand why he was held in high regard because I could see his talent. 'Hopefully he can make a big impact for us in the new season. With Callan Gray moving to Fraserburgh we were looking to add some more creativity to the squad and Murray provides that.' Cummings has also bolstered his squad for the next term with defender Scott Robertson, midfielders Sam Garnham and Dylan Souden and striker Miller Keir signing pre-contracts with Turriff in January. Robertson, Garnham and Souden all join from Dyce, while Keir arrives from Hall Russell United. Meanwhile, Formartine United have secured Rhys Thomas, Luke Strachan and Brody Alberts on new contracts. Defender Thomas, 23, joined the Pitmedden outfit in January 2023 from Cove Rangers and has made 62 appearances, 24-year-old defender Strachan joined last August from Cove and has featured 30 times, while striker Alberts, 19, spent last term on loan at fellow Highland League club Keith, where he scored six goals. Elsewhere, Deveronvale goalkeeper Sean McIntosh has been made available for transfer. The former Rothes and Dufftown custodian joined the Banffers in the summer of 2021 and is under contract until the summer of 2026. However, other clubs have now been notified that McIntosh is available for a move.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Banners of honor celebrate Chamberlain-Oacoma veterans
May 26—CHAMBERLAIN, S.D. — Along the streets of Chamberlain and Oacoma, more than 100 banners ripple in the wind — each one a tribute to a veteran who answered the call to serve. These Hometown Hero Banners, part of a project launched by the Chamberlain-Oacoma Area Chamber of Commerce in 2022, honor local service members from every branch of the United States Armed Forces. Recently, a new banner was added to the collection — one honoring Graydon Walter Dyce, a Chamberlain native who served in the 3rd Platoon, Company E during World War II. Dyce was present at the Battle of Iwo Jima, the same unit that raised the flag atop Mount Suribachi in the iconic photo captured by Joe Rosenthal on February 23, 1945. "While Graydon wasn't one of the six men in the photo, he was there, standing with the Marines who helped turn the tide in the Pacific," said Taryn Reidt of the Chamber. "We're honored to share his story through this banner." When the program first launched, several fundraisers were held simply to get it off the ground. The goal was to raise over $4,000 — the amount needed to purchase the brackets required to hang the banners. These banners are not mass-produced; they are individually created in-house by working closely with veterans and their families, capturing the details, emotions, and honor behind each name. They are a 2x4 banner, printed front and back, and hung from light poles throughout the community from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. The banner Peggy Hanzlik had made in honor of her husband Mike shares that he was in the United States Army, that he was an SP5 and part of the 101st Airborne Division, and that he served in combat in Vietnam from Dec. 21, 1970, through September 11, 1973. "Through each banner, we preserve not just names, but living legacies — a wall of honor made visible in the heart of our towns," said Reidt. Since its inception, the program has produced 103 personalized banners. The project paused briefly in early 2023 and again in 2024 due to a lack of space. Banner locations are determined by lottery to ensure fairness. When the program first began, banners cost $60 each. Now, the cost has risen to $120 due to increased material and installation costs. That price covers design, printing and display. Sponsorships help offset costs when available. The stories shared through this project are powerful. One mother, while completing the banner application for her son who received a Purple Heart, recalled: "I'll never forget the day we got the call that he was seriously injured. My heart stopped." Over time, wind and weather have taken a toll on many of the banners. Currently, 58 are too damaged to be rehung, and 13 have gone missing. Families can keep damaged banners, or have them reprinted for $50. The Chamber is working to raise $2,900 to replace them so that families do not have to pay again for banners that were purchased. "These banners are a heartfelt tribute by the Chamber of Commerce to honor local veterans who've bravely served in all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces," said Reidt. Community support has been strong, according to Reidt. The Wanalain 4-H Club recently donated funds to replace five banners, and the local American Legion Auxiliary contributed $500 to the restoration effort. "It's inspiring to see young leaders make such a meaningful impact in our community," Reidt said. To contribute or learn more, contact the Chamberlain-Oacoma Area Chamber of Commerce.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Argos re-sign 2024 outstanding special teams player Janarion Grant
TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts have re-signed outstanding special teams player Janarion Grant, the CFL team announced Friday. Grant led the league with 989 yards, a 14.8-yard average and three touchdowns on punt returns in 2024, his first season with the Argonauts. He also finished fourth with 1,000 kick return yards, including a 103-yard touchdown return. Grant was named a CFL all-star for the second time in 2024 and earned his third Grey Cup ring when Toronto defeated Winnipeg 41-24 in the championship game in November. The 31-year-old from Trilby, Fla., spent four seasons in Winnipeg before joining the Argos and helped the Bombers win Grey Cup titles in 2019 and 2021. He has 10 punt return touchdowns and two kick return touchdowns in 57 career regular season games with Winnipeg and Toronto. "Last year Janarion put the special in special teams," Argos general manager Mike (Pinball) Clemons said in a release. "He's not just effective, but exhilarating, increasing the blood flow in your veins. He is sure to lift Argo fans out of their seats once again, bringing a phenomenal five return touchdowns into this season. --- Redblacks confirm coaching staff OTTAWA -- The Redblacks have confirmed their 2025 coaching lineup, with some major changes to Bob Dyce's staff. Along with bringing back Rick Campbell, the former head coach now serving as special-teams coordinator, the Redblacks are also adding William Fields as defensive coordinator. Fields comes from the Grey Cup champion Argonauts, where he was the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach last season Returning coaches include offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell, who helped the Redblacks finish second in passing yards (5,455) in 2024. Other members of Dyce's staff include assistant head coach and linebackers coach Deion Melvin, running backs coach Nate Taylor, offensive line coach Mike Gibson, defensive line coach Kai Ellis, defensive backs coach Myron Lewis and coaching assistant Isaiah Johns. Dyce, who is entering his third season as Ottawa head coach, helped the Redblacks make the playoffs for the first time since 2018 last year. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 31, 2025. The Canadian Press
