The 2015 CIS football season did not end the way the Marauders envisioned, or quite frankly are used to. While an exit before turning the calendar to November was rare and difficult to swallow after seemingly endless months of preparation, the future is bright with several returning seniors, and a trio of frosh OUA rookie all-stars.

In what was deemed a transitional year in the defensive backfield following the graduation and departure of several well-tenured Marauders, fresh faces were forced into roles that almost immediately required production. Robbie Yochim (Kelowna, BC.) and Adam Poole (Brampton, Ont.) were both placed into this rare position and they responded.

In turn both ball hawks have been rewarded with Ontario University Athletics rookie all-star awards.

Yochim began the season at boundary corner and started all 8 regular season games collecting two interceptions while averaging nearly four tackles per game. The timing of his two interceptions were as important as their existence. 

The first came in week one on the road at the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. To step in and intercept a pass after hearing questions about the young secondary all training camp sent a strong message to his teammates and McMaster fans alike that the young man from Kelowna would be able to fill the large shoes left by the departure of all-time Marauder Joey Cupido. 

The second interception followed days later against the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees who finished the season with one of the best passing offences in the OUA. Ottawa QB Derek Wendel (Belleville, Ont.) finished the 2015 campaign with just eight interceptions, of which Yochim had one.

Fellow defensive back all-star Adam Poole (Brampton, Ont.) also had a week one interception and a very effective season. While being featured on special teams Poole proved a valuable asset at his young age while rotating throughout much of the secondary as both a starter and depth asset depending on the week-to-week injury situation. 

Poole, a humanities major who starred for the Brampton Bulldogs of the Ontario Varsity Football League before enrolling in Hamilton will be sure to push for a starting spot in the secondary come August 2016.

The third and perhaps most surprising McMaster addition to the rookie all-star team is Jordan Lyons of Burlington Assumption secondary school. The surprise in this selection in no way stems from the young man’s talent, rather his usage.

Lyons played a large role in the offensive attack while returning kickoffs. He rotated effectively through a crowded backfield which included 2014 veteran standouts Wayne Moore, Kingsley Amankwaa, Kasean Davis and Chris Pezzetta. 

Lyons finished the season with two receiving touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. The coaching staff at McMaster believes Lyons can be an all-conference multi-threat weapon sooner rather than later. Expect to see him used early and often in 2016.

These three young Marauders embody the ongoing development of McMaster football. A successful recruiting class in 2015 must be matched in 2016 if McMaster wishes to move deeper into the playoffs than this season. Head Coach Stefan Ptaszek and his staff will be sure to hit the road any day to begin the process of contending for the 2016 Yates Cup.

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Hamilton native and University of Waterloo Warriors offensive lineman Jesse Gibbon was also selected to the OUA rookie all-star team. The 6’5, 290 pound Environmental Management major was just one of two Warriors to receive the all-star nod.