Muamba & Walsh represent X in East West Bowl

Two X-Men football players suited up recently for the victorious East side in the annual CIS East West Bowl hosted by the University of Western Ontario in London, ON. Linebacker Henoc Muamba (Mississauga, ON) and offensive lineman Stewart Walsh (Antigonish, NS) were members of the East team that defeated the West 12-9. The game features CIS athletes who will be eligible for the 2011 CFL draft and is an annual game dating back to 2003.

Muamba led all East defenders with 7 tackles in the game, including 3 solo and 8 assisted tackles while Walsh played a well on the offensive line in the game situation, according to X-Men head coach Gary Waterman who travelled with the duo to London and helped coach the East running backs. “Having players take part in an event like the East West Bowl benefits the entire StFX program,” commented Coach Waterman. “It gives those guys an opportunity to take their game to another level and to bring back some of the skills and knowledge learned throughout the week to their teammates. It is an invaluable experience.”

The complete story on the 2010 East West Bowl from the CIS follows.

Kicker Milo lifts East to victory at 8th East West Bowl
 
LONDON, Ont. (by Western Ontario sports information) – Laval kicker Christopher Milo was good on all three field goal attempts as the East team prevailed 12-9 in the eighth annual East West Bowl, presented by Under Armour, on Saturday afternoon at TD Waterhouse Stadium on the campus of The University of Western Ontario.
 
Official website: http://english.cis-sic.ca/eastwestbowl/2010
 
The East edged their way onto the scoreboard within seconds taking a 1-0 lead as a result of a Milo kickoff. Minutes later, the Montreal native contributed a 37-yard field goal extending the East lead to 4-0.
 
Despite the West’s strong defence from Western’s John Surla and Guelph’s James Savoie, both of Niagara Falls, Ont., the first quarter ended with the East leading 6-0 after adding a safety.
 
At the beginning of the second quarter the West lit up the scoreboard and took the lead with a touchdown by Saskatchewan wide receiver Braeden George of Calgary as a result of a 19-yard pass from Regina quarterback Marc Mueller, a Regina native.  It was a short-lived lead as Milo kicked an 18-yard field goal for a 9-7 East advantage at half.
 
In the third frame the wind picked up and the snow began to fall, but that did not stop Surla as he had a forceful take down at the 50-yard line causing the East’s first down. Soon after, Milo kicked an impressive 40-yard field goal increasing the East lead to 12-7.
 
“The snaps were just taking off and tough to handle in this wind,” said Milo. “The winds were just taking over. On the 40-yard field goal [I] drove my leg in a bit more and luckily the wind died down right before I kicked it.”
 
A series of fumbles and incomplete passes occupied a portion of the third quarter, highlighted by Toronto defensive back Willie Sharpe of Renfrew, Ont., who picked off a pass in the end zone.
 
A West safety allowed the score to be tightened to 12-9 as Surla ended the third stanza with a monstrous sack.
 
Although the fourth quarter saw no scoring both the East and the West performed well offensively and defensively.
 
McGill’s Courtney Bishop contributed a sack on the Mueller. Surla had a key tackle forcing an East fumble quickly recovered by Guelph’s Jedd Gardner.
 
The West had a chance to send the affair to overtime but Alberta kicker Hugh O’Neill missed from 51 yards out.
 
“It is an essential step in the process of getting your name out there. It is so important to play well and showcase here,” said Surla, who did not let the weather affect his game as he led the West defensively with 9.5 total tackles.
 
NOTES: The East West Bowl showcases – for the most part - CIS players who will be eligible for the 2011 Canadian Football League draft... The East team was comprised of student-athletes representing schools from the Atlantic and Quebec conferences, as well as from Queen’s, Ottawa and Toronto. The West squad is made up of players from Canada West and from the remaining OUA universities... Pat Sheahan from the reigning Vanier Cup champion Queen’s Gaels was the East head coach, while Blake Nill from the CIS finalist Calgary Dinos guided the West...
 
All-time East West Bowl results:
 
2010 (at Western): East 12, West 9
2009 (at Western): West 16, East 7
2008 (at McMaster): East 25, West 12
2007 (at Laval): West 22, East 19 (OT)
2006 (at Laval): West 34, East 26 (OT)
2005 (at Laurier): West 34, East 16
2004 (at Laurier): West 21, East 12
2003 (at Laurier): West 10, East 5
 
SCORING SUMMARY: 2010 EAST WEST BOWL
 
East – 6-9-3-0:12
West – 0-7-2-0:9
 
First Quarter
East – Rouge Christopher Milo (kickoff) 0:45
East – FG Christopher Milo 37 2:15
East – Safety Team 12:03
 
Second Quarter
West – TD Braeden George 19 pass from Marc Mueller (Hugh O’Neill kick) 1:34
East – FG Christopher Milo 18 11:26
 
Third Quarter
East – FG Christopher Milo 40 4:07
West – Safety Team 8:02
 
Fourth Quarter
No scoring.