There's a different vibe in training camp this year and an optimism that the 2019 York Lions football team will be special.
 
The squad is coming off a 2018 campaign in which they took a step forward and showed signs of how good this team can be. That improvement has provided additional motivation to a veteran squad that is on the precipice of a big breakout.
 
"This is the most talented football team I've seen here. I could argue it's the most talented football team York has ever seen," said head coach Warren Craney. "We feel we are at a point in our program build where we can compete with anybody and it's just taking that next step. The biggest thing to get there is belief. They have the talent already and they know how good they are. Now it's about executing and trusting in our tremendous coaching staff."


 
The Lions lost some key players but still return top-end talent at every position on the field. A squad led by its offence in recent years will have a new look this season, one that Craney and his background as a defensive coordinator is surely happy about.
 
"We're transitioning into a defensive football team and I'm really proud of that. Not to say they are going to carry our offence though. In terms of veteran leadership and talent, we are still old on that side of the ball and we have high expectations that we are going to be the best offence in the OUA."
 
Last year, the defence gave up 120 fewer yards per game than in 2017 and nine starters return, among them two-time OUA all-star defensive end Rossini Sandjong, heading into his fourth year with the program, and a pair of OUA all-rookie team members in Kwadwo Boahen, a defensive lineman, and linebacker Matt Dean.
 
The unit also includes fellow fourth-years Jacob Janke and Damian Jamieson to lead the defensive backs and linebackers, respectively. Among the new faces are linebacker Braden Hart and defensive lineman James Kypreos, who have both participated in the International Bowl series in Texas and play beyond their years.
 
The offence is loaded with talent at the skill positions and will flow through fifth-year quarterback Brett Hunchak, who already holds every major passing record at York. Last year's squad put up the most points per game in his four years under centre and the Lions will be looking to take advantage of his veteran presence to continue that trend this season. Even with the absence of his younger brother Colton, now with the Calgary Stampeders, he will have no shortage of weapons all over the field.
 
Alex Daley, Luther Hakunavanhu and Kadeem Hemmings lead a deep receiving corps that also includes highly regarded rookies in Retsen Daley, Alex's younger brother, as well as Jaxon Hume, Aidan Patton and Sam Ruby. In the backfield will be Kayden Johnson, a former U SPORTS champion in the 60m hurdles, and Jesse Amankwaa, who returns this season after missing all of last year and was the 2015 OUA rookie of the year.
 
They will all line-up behind a young but talented offensive line that is anchored by Chavaughn Barrett and Caleb Palmateer and includes stud rookies Evan Anseeuw and Logan Scott.
 
After years of strong recruiting classes and growth on the field, this team is poised for a run in 2019.
 
"One of the big things we kept saying to the team in 2018 is 'when you figure out how good you are, you are going to be dangerous' and it took them a while to figure it out last year. I think they've remembered that message. I've never seen a team work harder in the off-season and I am looking forward to seeing their hunger and their passion. They've got a big chip on their shoulder right now and I'm dying to see what they are going to do with that chip. They are definitely a team on a mission."