Football X-Men ready to tackle 2025 season

The STFX X-Men, who have become perennial contenders for supremacy in Atlantic University Sport (AUS) football, are ready to kick-off the 2025 season.

"There is a lot of excitement around our program," Gary Waterman, veteran X-Men head coach, said during a training camp interview.

He added "not getting to where they wanted to go [last season]" has served as motivation not only for returning student-athletes, but also the newcomers who will be donning the White and Blue.

"Everyone is hungry, and worked really hard in the off-season," Waterman, a former X-Men defensive back, explained.

After capturing three consecutive Loney Bowl crowns – from 2021-2023 – the X-Men were denied an opportunity for a four-peat when they dropped a semi-final decision to the Saint Mary's Huskies – their perennial rivals – last fall.

Welcome back, Malcolm

In 2025, the White and Blue will boast a veteran offense led by quarterback Silas Fagnan (Bonnyville, AB) – a consistent conference all-star and two-time recipient (2021 and 2023) of the Chris Flynn Trophy as AUS most valuable player – who finished the 2024 campaign with more than 255 passing yards per game and 11 touchdowns.

Fifth-year senior all-star receiver Ben Harrington (Dartmouth, NS) will, once again, be one of Fagnan's top targets in a talented and improving group of pass catchers.

"The story on offense," as Waterman described, "will be to remain healthy," while noting the return of All-Canadian running back Malcolm Bussey (Hammonds Plains, NS), the 2022 conference MVP, who was injured in a pre-season matchup in 2024 and missed the entire season.

In the backfield, a healthy and hungry Bussey will team up with fellow fifth-year senior Caleb Fogarty (Moncton, NB), who the X-Men head coach pointed out came into his own last season with increased playing time.

With the veteran depth provided by that duo, Waterman said that the talented first-year tandem of Andrew Burton (Burlington, ON) and Bryce Hansen (Airdrie, AB), who he noted have bright futures with the X-Men program, will "likely not jump in right way."

As for who will be opening holes for that stable of running backs – not to mention ensuring that Fagnan remains upright in the pocket – the White and Blue have added three offensive lineman to a solid group of returnees, which includes junior center Kilian Kelly (Milton, ON).

Mitchel White (Souris, PEI), is a 6'4", 300-pounder who started his college career with the Holland College Hurricanes of the Atlantic Football League (AFL), while Ryan Gerrard (Cole Harbour, NS), at 6'2", 290 pounds, also comes in with AFL experience, with the Dalhousie Tigers, along with time as a member of the Ottawa Sooners of the Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL). The program has also added Liam Kelly (Milton, ON), a 6'3", 295-pounder who has shown "great promise," according to Waterman.

"They are getting better each week," he said of the X-Men offense, noting that there will be returning players taking on an increased workload in 2025, who will have the opportunity "to step up," along with members of this year's recruiting class.

Anchoring the defense

On the defensive side of the ball, Waterman noted "a lot of new players" had the chance to line up last season for the White and Blue.

"They have a lot of experience and snaps under their belts," he said, which the X-Men mentor suggested "should pay huge dividends" this season.

In the secondary, there are a trio of quality defensive backs returning: sophomore Logan Ritchie (Winnipeg, MB), junior Najaun David (Dartmouth, NS) and Nathan Cayouette (Strathmore, AB).

"We expect him to make a difference," Waterman offered of Raymond Lombeh (Moncton, NB), one of the newcomers to the secondary.

Describing him as "energized and really dominant" in 2024, the White and Blue bench boss expects linebacker Owen Watrych (Yorkton, SK) to continue his upward trajectory.

"It is going to be the anchor of our defense," Waterman offered of the D-line, noting its "strength and depth," with key returnees including senior defensive tackle David McGill (Powasson, ON).

He noted that newcomer Ty Ochitwa (Airdrie, AB), a 6'1", 280-pound lineman, is expected to make an impact, pointing out that he has shown "great promise" during training camp.

Change on special teams

As for the third prong of the X-Men attack – special teams – which has been a key to the program becoming consistent contenders, Waterman said there has been a lot of change, not only on the field but also along the sideline.

"There is a competition right now," he explained of the battle to replace the dynamic duo of Max Capriotti and Ben Hadley – who wrapped up stellar all-star and All-Canadian-calibre university careers in 2024.

"He is the best in the country," Waterman offered of Harrington, the X-Men's conference all-star and All-Canadian returner, noting that the "great depth" of potential returners behind him – which he called "dynamic and explosive," adding that "we will need to block for them."

Jim Daley, the former CFL head coach who has fashioned the unit into one of the best in U SPORTS, is sidelined with health concerns, so long-time assistant Marcus MacIntyre has stepped in.

"We have had great buy in, and we are excited about it," Waterman said, offering that the White and Blue head into the 2025 campaign with a "great foundation" on special teams.

'Playing fast'

If they are doing well this season, Waterman indicated that the X-Men will be "playing fast," while employing physicality in their style of play and "executing at a high level."

He added, "We will be playing together and rallying behind each other."

Waterman noted the importance of "controlling what we can," while focusing on "working, preparing and digging into the details."

Describing the goal to perform at a high level, noting how it may sound cliché, he said, "We want to get better each week."

New faces on the bench

Along the sideline, the X-Men will welcome back a familiar face to White and Blue fans – Joe Jurus – who has come on board as a quarterback coach.

"We are really excited to have him back," Waterman said of the star pivot from the late 1980s and early 1990s.

John Stevens, a former X-Men head coach, has returned for a second straight season as an offensive line assistant coach, while recent White and Blue standouts – Capriotti (kicking) and Hunter Mousseau (defensive line) – have signed on as graduate assistant coaches.

"They are great – it is nice to have young guys give back," Waterman said.

While reflecting on the upcoming campaign, he noted that the X-Men program is excited to be a part of the induction of long-time assistant coach Terry Chisholm into the StFX Sports Hall of Fame next month.

"We are very happy for Coach Terry – it is well deserved," Waterman said of the honour.

Chisholm and the other Class of 2025 inductees will be enshrined on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 10 a.m., at the StFX Schwartz Auditorium.

That ceremony will be one of the highlights of the Football X-Cellence celebration, which the X-Men program will host on Sept. 19 and 20, a two-day gathering filled with fun, fan activities and – of course – football. As part of the festivities, STFX will clash with the rival Saint Mary's Huskies on Sept. 20, at 2 p.m., at STFX Stadium.     

Speaking of X-Men fans and supporters, who are second-to-none according to Waterman, he explained that they are "really energizing for our guys."

He noted that they "support everything we do as a program."

Waterman added, "Our fans have our backs, which is always a great motivating factor."

Ready to roll

After having a bye in the opening week of the 2025 AUS regular season, the X-Men will see their first action on the road, when they visit the Acadia Axemen in Wolfville on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 2 p.m.

The White and Blue will kick off their home schedule versus the Mount Allison Mounties at STFX Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2 p.m.

For everything X-Men football, visit goxgo.ca