There’s an old African expression that says, “calm seas don’t make good sailors.” Many sports teams have proven the truth of this expression over the years. For a team to get to the top, they must face the rough challenges of being at the bottom. Once at the top, they must fall, and the never-ending cycle must start again.
The Montreal Carabins men’s football program are a perfect example of that saying in action. After so many years of being in the shadow of the Laval Rouge et Or in the CIS’ Quebec conference (RSEQ), the Montreal Carabins finally found the light this season and emerged from the province as Quebec champions for the first time ever. After beating their arch rivals Laval, the French university hosted the Manitoba Bisons right at home and took them down in an exciting Uteck Bowl, 29-26. The Bisons charged late but the rough seas brought forth by the Bisons only made the Carabins defence stronger, which was the ultimate factor in their victory.
This win was many years in the making for the school, who only established their football program in 2002. The team was never a bad regular season team, going below .500 only once with an 0-8 record in their first season. They’ve been able to string together about five or six wins on average in their 8-game seasons, but this year they went above the norm, finishing with 7 wins and a single loss – the third time they finished with one loss or less.
The rough waters that the Montreal Carabins have faced over the years came in the form of the Rouge et Or in the Dunsmore Cup. Five times – 2004, 2005, 2009, 2011, and 2013 – they made the trip to Quebec City to lose and give the Rouge et Or a shot at the Vanier Cup. They lost to Laval twice in the semi-finals, and were knocked out in the semis four times by Concordia, Bishop’s, and Sherbrooke. That adds up to 11 times being knocked out earlier than other Quebec teams, in just 12 seasons. Now that’s what you call a “stinger”.
Desperate to finally come out on top, the university hired former Edmonton Eskimos coach Danny Maciocia to head their football program after the 2010 season. The program has been knocking on the door of success and Maciocia was the one who opened it for them. With a 26-8 regular season record, Maciocia brought them to three Dunsmore Cups and finally grabbed their first win in the title game just a week ago. He has developed fantastic players like David Foucault, the Carolina Panthers tackle who played for the Montreal Carabins until last season. When one of your former players is protecting Superman in Cam Newton, you know you have a really good program.
Like past coaches, Maciocia failed to deliver playoff victories to the team but reversed the tide this season with now three straight victories, two at home and one on the road. The school had five total playoff victories in their entire history before this season.
They’ve been winning in dominant fashion too. The Rouge et Or feature the highest scoring offence in the province, but Montreal manhandled them defensively, denying Hugo Richard any touchdowns. The Carabins defence was weaker against Manitoba but made key plays when they needed to. In the third quarter, safety and leader Byron Archambault hit Manitoba running back Kienan LaFrance hard around midfield, forcing a fumble, which was picked up by Anthony Coady, another hard worker and turnover machine on the defence. This came at a time where momentum was shifting Manitoba’s way.
Then, late in the fourth quarter with the Bisons down five points at the Carabins 12 yard line with 35 seconds left on the clock, Manitoba QB Jordan Yantz dropped back to pass and was hammered by Coady. The ball came loose and was picked up by Archambault. That play effectively signalled the end of the game, sealed with the work of these two players.
They have a stellar defence – they’re third best in the country for points against per game during the regular season – but the Montreal Carabins present a dual threat. Their offensive attack features three clutch wide receivers. Regis Cibasu caught a TD pass and 146 yards in the RSEQ semi-final against Sherbrooke, CFL-ready Mikael Davidson found the endzone twice on 142 yards on Saturday, and Philip Enchill racked up 108 yards with only four grabs against Manitoba. Quarterback Gabriel Cousineau has many options to throw to come the Vanier Cup, and the McMaster defence might have trouble containing these speedy receivers.
After so many years of despair, the Montreal Carabins are finally emerging as a legitimate contender for the Vanier Cup. They beat their arch-nemesis Laval before going all-out against Manitoba, and now will play the McMaster Marauders for the first time ever, in the 50th Vanier Cup. The timing couldn’t be any better for Danny Maciocia’s squad, as they are just one great football game away from the greatest trophy in Canadian University football.
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Main Photo via THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
