LONDON — As part of the West all-stars of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football teams, the Laurier Golden Hawks star players did not disappoint.
In the annual East West Bowl, organized by the Canadian University Football Coaches Association (CUFCA) and hosted by Western University, full back Isaac Dell, receiver Alex Anthony and defensive back Felix Odum represented Laurier in a week of training, practices and evaluations, culminating with a final all-star game on the last day.
Despite a loss Saturday afternoon to the East team, Dell, Anthony and Odum did not come back empty handed.
“It was different playing with a lot of different guys,” Odum said. “We only had four days to really get used to playing with each other, but everyone here is a great athlete so it was a much higher level of football, but it was great.”
In partnership with the Canadian Football League, the East West Bowl brings 90 of the top university football players together for an evaluation camp. The camp allows scouts from various CFL teams to examine the prospects for the draft the following year.
In the closing all-star game, the East team defeated the West 24-16. The East’s kicker, Brett Lauther of Saint Mary’s delivered five field goals while Acadia running back Zack Skibin scored the only touchdown.
Odum returned two punts during the match while Anthony returned one.
As a conclusion of the week, the game was a chance for the players to perform and test the skills and plays that were put together only four days earlier.
“It was tough,” Anthony said regarding the change. “It was really physically and mentally exhausting- coming together with guys from all across the country and putting in an entire playbook in four days.
“It was tough but it was a great experience and I’m really happy to be here.”
The East West Bowl also gives the individual players a view on the upcoming season. For each player, it is their senior year with their respective universities.
“You come out here, you see how you stack up against some of the best players across the country,” said Dell. “And then you take what you’ve learned, mistakes you’ve made, and try to apply it in your training camp the following year.”
