LJ Dyer & Beefeaters Rewrite OFC Record Books with Historic Running Season

The London Beefeaters' 2023 season has been nothing short of historic, with running back LJ Dyer and the team as a whole setting new milestones in the Ontario Football Conference. Dyer, now in his third year with the Beefeaters, has set a new franchise record for rushing yards in a single season with 1,158. This breaks the previous team record held by Tony Daugherty, who recorded 1,136 yards back in 1990. Dyer's achievement also moves him to the sixth spot on the OFC's all-time single-season rushing list.

Reflecting on this accomplishment, Dyer expressed the significance of leaving his mark on the team, stating, "It means a lot just to come into this organization and leave my mark on the team."

 📸 | Owen Price Photography

Head Coach Matt Snyder, who has coached Dyer since his early years, shared his pride in the running back's accomplishments. Snyder stated, "It's a pretty proud moment for me. I've had a chance to coach him since he was in grade seven, and I coached him for five years in high school. So I've been coaching him for a long time, and he and I have had a lot of great success together."

 

When asked about the key to his success, Dyer was quick to credit his offensive line.  "They work really hard," he emphasized, "to make open holes for me and keep me going." This praise for the offensive line was echoed by Snyder, who stated, "Our O-line is probably the best position group on our team pound-for-pound." He also commended the dedication and hard work of the offensive line coaches, Mitch Molinaro and Derek Howey.

While the offensive line played a significant role in Dyer's success, Coach Snyder recognized Dyer's commitment right from the start of the season. "This year, he really dedicated himself to his offseason training," Snyder noted. "He came into training camp, and his body looked different, having dropped some weight and appearing more solid in the upper body."

📸 | Owen Price Photography

The Beefeaters' achievements extend beyond Dyer's individual records. The team collectively broke the OFC's record for team rushing yards in a season, amassing 2,733 yards. This accomplishment also places them fifth all-time in Canadian Junior Football League history.

Coach Snyder emphasized the team's dedication to their offensive system and the philosophy of running the ball. He stated, "We're dedicated to our offense and the system we want to run. It's a total buy-in from the coaches all the way down."

 📸 | Owen Price Photography
Having his coaches’ confidence in their team’s ability to run the ball is welcomed according to Dyer, "It feels good,"  he said of his coach's trust. "All the hard work we've been putting in during the offseason, he saw that we can get the job done, we can get the yards that we need. It feels good that he has his trust in us."

The Beefeaters’ running game is led by the dynamic backfield tandem of LJ Dyer and Geoffrey Clubine who finished first and second respectively in conference for rushing yards. Snyder believes that the two feed off of eachother, which has helped both of them succeed. "It's really pushed those two because they know they're competing for carries," he explained. "They're very complementary because Geoff’s a little bit more of a pounder, while LJ has a little bit more breakaway speed." 

As Coach Snyder summed it up, "There have been some games when I think 'dominant' is a word that I would use to describe how we ran the ball, and I think it shows because of our team's hard work." The Beefeaters' hard work is not finished, as they now prepare for the OFC playoffs, determined to add another chapter to their historic season.

RECORDS: 

London Beefeaters Regular Season Rushing 
1,158 - LJ Dyer 2023 
1,136 - Tony Daugherty 1990

OFC MOST RUSHING YARDS SEASON - TEAM

2,733 London Beefeaters…2023
2,622 Burlington Braves…1969
2,545 Hamilton Hurricanes…1974
2,246 Windsor AKO Fratmen…1976
2,221 Brantford Bisons…1972
2,182 Ottawa Sooners…1994
2,151 Ottawa Sooners…1974
2,056 St. Clair Saints…2022
2,000 Windsor AKO Fratmen…1978
1,970 Hamilton Hurricanes…1978
1,968 Brantford Bisons…1972

OFC MOST YARDS SEASON - INDIVIDUAL

1,432 Dave Dinnall, Burlington Braves…1991
1,413 Darren Joseph, Ottawa Sooners…1990
1,316 Mike Biljentina, Hamilton Hurricanes…1974
1,240 Phil Reynolds, Scarboro Rams…1971
1,172 Nick Romain, Windsor AKO Fratmen…2005
1,158 LJ Dyer, London Beefeaters…2023
1,155 Nord Williams, Etobicoke Argonauts…1980
1,143 Bruce Morris, Burlington Braves…1969
1,139 Craig Carter, Windsor AKO Fratmen…1999
1,136 Tony Daughtery, London Beefeaters…1990
1,116 Wayne Williams, Windsor AKO Fratmen…1994


CJFL MOST RUSHING YARDS, SEASON

2,911 Edmonton Wildcats (PFC) 2006
2,896 Regina Rams (PJFC) 1981
2,836 Westshore Rebels (BCFC) 2016
2,796 Regina Rams (PJFC) 1982
2,796 Tri-City Bulldogs (BCFC) 2001
2,733 London Beefeaters (OFC)…2023 - *Only team from OFC in the top 10*
2,667 Regina Rams (M-SJFL) 1965
2,658 Okanagan Sun (BCJFA) 1996
2,622 Burlington Braves (OJFC) 1969
2,610 Vancouver Island Raiders (BCFC) 2008
2,590 Vancouver Island Raiders (BCFC) 2009