Much like a number of teams in the WHSFL, the Dakota Lancers will have a different look in 2019. But unlike most, their squad's most notable shift has occurred at the head coaching position, where Mitchell Harrison takes over for Ray Jarvis. 

Those are big shoes to fill, but Harrison is more than ready to take up the task. The defensive coordinator at Sisler over the last three years , he also has playing experience at the university level, having been a key member of Manitoba's 2014 Hardy Cup-winning group. 

It helps that Harrison is inhering a program that made it to the Division 1 championship game just two years ago and also advanced to the semi-finals in 2018. He'll also get a quick trip down memory lane as the Lancers head to Sisler for week one action on Friday, Sept. 5. 

"Our short term goals for this season are to win our opening game against Sisler and to once again try and make it to the Anavets Bowl final and take home the trophy this time.

Long term, our goal is to establish ourselves as a perennial contender for the Anavets Bowl and develop a culture of winning and accountability that our young players and future players can buy in to and flourish in for years to come. We want to be the preeminent destination for all football players in the St. Vital area."

Harrison will return 14 starters from a year ago, including nine of the defensive side of the ball where he will double down as coordinator.

"This is probably the most advanced system I've installed in my four years of coaching. The players have a done a tremendous job of picking things up and flying around a million miles and hour. We are going to put a lot of pressure on offences, take the ball away with regularity, and set the tempo of the game with our defence."

The bench boss has been responsible for helping coach the division's Defensive Player of the Year two seasons in a row (Easton Montour, 2017, Austin Balan, 2018) and will look to make it three with a loaded group that includes provincial team defensive linemen Jordan Friesen and Ethan Papineau (both can also play offensive line). 

"Jordan has garnered attention from recruiters north and south of the border," Harrison says. 

"He is a freak athlete who at 240 pounds might be the fastest player on our team, and one of the fastest players in the province overall. I believe Jordan is the best defensive linemen in the province and potentially the best defensive player. He is capable of taking over any game at any moment."

"Additionally, Ethan Papineau is the leader of our defensive line. He plays with tremendous leverage and explosion and is very fundamentally sound, intelligent, and possesses strong leadership skills beyond his years who holds everyone accountable on a daily basis."

There are plenty of Bisons connections on the defensive side of the ball for the Lancers as well, in linebacker Josh Paulic and defensive back Daniel Conway. 

"Josh is the brother of U of M linebacker Noah, who I've also had the pleasure of coaching during Bisons spring camps and training camps over the last two seasons," Harrison says.

"Josh is the undisputed leader of our team - he is a very physical player who goes above and beyond for his teammates and coaches every day. He and fellow senior linebacker Josh Ma are probably two of the most physical linebackers in the league, which will allow us to the set the tone of games defensively."

Daniel is the younger brother of Bisons Nick and Stefan and is coming back from a five-year hiatus looking to make some noise. 

On the offensive side of the ball, senior lineman Cam Sumka leads the charge for a two-headed monster in the backfield in seniors Carson Cadieux and Hubert Sindikubwabo, the latter of whom was with Team Manitoba this summer and is a transfer from St. Paul's. 

"Carson is a determined and hard-nosed running back who never goes down on first contact," Harrison says of the former. He is a captain on the team and is also likely the toughest player we have."

Also, Junior Matt Toyne is a walking playmaker at receiver while Caden Caliguiri is a grade ten pivot who transferred from Oak Park this year. 

"Every time [Toyne] lines up to run a route in the slot or out wide, he is an explosive play waiting to happen," Harrison says. 

"He is explosive, physical, and intelligent - I expect him to be amongst the league leaders in receiving statistics this season."