WATERLOO, Ont. - Warriors Head Coach and Manager of Football Operations Chris Bertoia knows that winning cures all.
"Winning a football game instills belief."
The Warriors will have their doubters this season, having finished 2024 at the bottom of the OUA standings with a record of 0-8, but none of those doubts are coming from inside the locker room.
"The vibe in the locker room's just different, everyone's on the same page." Fourth-year defensive back Isaiah Blackson (London/) told his coach.
"These guys are all pulling the rope in the same direction," said Bertoia. "Everyone feels like it's been the best training camp ever. The nice thing is, it's player led, it's not me saying it. It's them telling me, or them telling each other."
Bertoia says the team took a drastically different approach to this offseason, putting more emphasis on strength and conditioning, hoping to continue building their identity as one of the more physical teams in U SPORTS.
This has already yielded results in their pre-season testing. "Our numbers were outstanding compared to what they were last year." Bertoia is confident it will translate on the field.
"Being physical is important, and it's kind of an equalizer," he said. "We want to start fast, and we want to be physical. And in order to play fast and physical, you need to be prepared so our focus is in all the details, each and every day."
OFFENCE
Quarterbacks
Bertoia has no shortage of praise for starter Nick Orr (Caledon/), whose confidence in himself is also at an all-time high. The fourth-year pivot began the summer playing in the East-West Bowl on Warrior Field before making the trip to Guelph for the Toronto Argonauts training camp the very next day.
Orr dealt with injuries last season, appearing in only 5 games for the Warriors. He finished the season averaging 164.4 yards/game on a 51% completion rate. He emerged as a threat on the ground with a 104-yeard rushing game in week three against Ottawa, Waterloo's first opponent in 2025.
Orr's backup will once again be Nolan Kaban (Calgary/), who completed 65% of his passes over the three games he started in Orr's absence. Second-year Isaac White (St thomas/) has made the move to receiver to make way for incoming rookie Emmet Ward (North Vancouver/), who Bertoia called "the top QB in the country" out of this year's recruiting class.
"Emmet's a monster," said Bertoia. "6-5, 226 pounds, can make every throw, he's got a bright, bright future. We're super excited about him. He's very capable also, for his age. He's already a natural leader."
Running Backs
Bertoia calls this a "loaded room."
The narrative last season was the one-two punch of Anthony Miller (Brampton/) and Quinten Springer (cambridge/), who combined for 744 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024. Bertoia sees a "three-headed monster" with Miller, Springer, and second-year Roy Van der Veen (Grand Valley/), who'll look to make his mark this season.
"They've all brought a different level of physicality this year, so we're really confident in their protection ability."
Bertoia notes that having three running backs capable of shouldering the load at any time will allow them to consistently roll out fresh legs in the backfield, and expects all three to lean into the physicality and hard-nosed style that will be a staple of the offence and the team overall.
Receivers
The Warriors have a deep group of pass-catchers, but Waterloo is hoping for one or two players to establish themselves as true elite-level playmakers – there were no Warriors among the top 25 in receiving yards in the OUA last season.
Fourth Tyler Tierny, Marcus Hoegl (Burlington/), and Romell Samuel-Slocombe (Brampton/) are among that group of veteran leaders Bertoia spoke about, and all have more to prove in their fourth season.
"We're pretty confident in that group," said Bertoia. "It's just, who's going to step up? Who's going to have the breakout year?" Orr noted the speedy Yinka Ogunnote (Guelph/) as a player to watch.
Orr's favourite target Evan Basalyga (Thunder Bay/) returns at H-back. The versatile pass catcher is one of the best at his position in U SPORTS, and Bertoia expects him to take another step forward in his fourth season; "he's a guy that we're counting on to have a big season."
Bertoia hopes the rest of the receiving core follows Basalyga's example in the blocking game. "Being a complete receiver is the difference. "We always say the O-line is responsible for the first six yards, the receivers are responsible for the next 60."
Offensive Line
Speaking of the offensive line, this is one of the younger units on the team, with two rookies likely to start at guard; Noah DiValentin (Sault Ste Marie/) and Marcus Palumbo (Sault Ste.Marie/). "The future is now with those guys," said Bertoia.
Fourth-year stalwart Nick Gidaro (Vaughan/) anchors the group at right guard, with fellow senior Thomas Levings (Abbotsford/) locking down the other edge. Third-year centre Julian Bulai (Waterloo/) rounds out the core five.
While inexperience inherently leaves questions heading into the season, if there's one position you can expect Chris Bertoia to be honed in on, it's the boys up front.
"It's the hardest position to be the assistant coach form when you've got a head coach who's an O-line guy, right?" joked Bertoia. Bertoia's own former coach, the legendary Tuffy Knight, who led the Warriors to their first Yates Cup title in 1997, was also seen coaching up the offensive linemen during training camp. This group may be learning on the job, but they'll be learning from the best.
DEFENCE
Defensive Line
This is the group Bertoia is most excited about from this year's recruiting class, with ten incoming freshmen lining up at D-lineman. "We've got some dynamic kids."
The Warriors ranked last in the conference with only seven sacks last season. Four of those came from defensive back Anesu Latmore (Ottawa, ON/), who will be playing his graduate year at Saskatchewan this season.
Two more came courtesy of Cameron Krug (London/), who returns for his fourth season along with fellow veteran Marcus Miller (Brampton/). Third-year Dominique Walker (Oshawa, ON/) is another name to watch, the 6-7 behemoth impressed in the team's pre-season scrimmage against Guelph.
2024 OUA all-rookie Jack Lausch (Winnipeg/) will look to take another step in his sophomore year.
The undisputed leader of this group, however, is fourth-year Marcus Ola (Brockville/). "He's an outstanding football player and an outstanding person. He's on our captain's council. He's the guy that we expect to lead."
Linebackers
Likely the strongest unit on the team features likely its strongest player – third-year Michael Omoseni (Burlington/), who Bertoia called an "NFL-size middle linebacker." The Burlington, Ont. native announced himself as one of the most impactful and versatile defensive players in the OUA last season when he picked off NFL signee Taylor Elgersma twice against Laurier.
He'll be flanked by third-year Arden Martinez (Niagara Falls/) and fifth-year Keesan Bowen. "I'd put those starting three up against any starting three in the league," said Bertoia.
They're complimented by another strong group of incoming recruits headlined by London Jr Mustangs standout Daymond Kindree (London/).
Defensive Backs
Latmore's departure will certainly be felt, but veterans and East-West Bowl participants Isaiah Blackson (London/) and Mason Henry (Milton/) return at cornerback and halfback, respectively. "Both of them trained their butts off this offseason," said Bertoia.
It's a much bigger group than last season's, highlighted by 6-4 rookie Terry Ojeh (Waterloo/), who's likely to start on the opposite corner. Second-year student Sam Shoniker (Guelph/) will use his first year of eligibility after missing last season with a torn ACL.
Roaming the defensive backfield is third-year Isaac Porter (Fredericton/). "We've got a real smart one back there at free safety," said Bertoia.
A few more turnovers could help this defence improve from their mostly disappointing showing last season – the Warriors had only three interceptions, least among OUA teams in 2024.
SPECIAL TEAMS
2024 OUA all-star Cole Crosset's graduation leaves a void at both the kicker and punter positions.
Rookie Evan Astolfo (Burlington/) has impressed, routinely hitting 55-yard field goals in training camp. Meanwhile, second-year Brandon Swain (Harrington/) has shown strong potential as a punter. Crosset's backup in 2024, Michael Tannehill, has improved in both areas.
Whether the Warriors dress Tannehill or go with an Astolfo/Swain platoon, they'll have versatility at the position. Fourth-year Cole Weddell (Niagara Falls/) returns as long snapper.
The Warriors will once again find themselves on the younger side of the OUA, with 56 first-years listed on their 106-man roster. They also feature a core group of veterans to lead them.
"Their leadership's just been great. They set the tone. They set the culture and the expectation in the locker room."
Bertoia was especially impressed by Nick Orr's (Caledon/) speech at the team's intake day, one he asked to give.
"He talked about the difference between have to and want to. Guys that want to be here, guys that want to win. We want to practice for four hours because we're going get better by doing that... it was a great speech, and it just emphasized the importance of being present and intentional and playing for your teammates."
As for last season, "put that in the rearview," says the 11th-year Head Coach.
"My whole world's about acronyms. And right now, one of the two acronyms is WIN: What's Important Now. We've got to take care of every detail, every day."
"Some of those scenarios where we just couldn't get over the hump last year, where we showed those flashes and a lot of great potential, you know what improves that?" asked Bertoia, before answering his own question.
"Winning."
The Warriors will have their first chance to pick up an early win on Saturday, August 23 when they take one the Ottawa Gee-Gees in their home opener. Kick-off is set for 4:00 PM at Warrior Field. Tickets for all regular season home games are on sale now. UW students receive free admission by tapping their WatCard.
