The YRHS and the Yorkton Minor Football Association got together one last time over the weekend to hand out all the hardware celebrating the season that just passed.
"It was pretty good," offered Roby Sharpe, head coach of the YRHS seniors and president of Yorkton Minor Football Association.
In a season where a lot of things happened, including the unveiling of the first-ever atom-level football team, it was time to hand out a bunch of trophies.
The YRHS senior team also named an award winner to a player who hadn't played a single down of football this entire season, citing the player's good attitude and football knowledge, and a willingness to help the team, as reasons for the decision.
Included in the evening's proceeding were a brief speech given by the Roughriders Chris Milo, drafted by the Riders in the fourth round (30th overall) in this year's CFL Canadian Draft. Award presentations saw four members of the Yorkton Gridders pee wee football team recognized, followed by the Yorkton Regional High School junior/bantam team and then their senior brothers.
Paul Toth of the seniors, and Grey McKen of the junior/bantams took home two honours each.
From the Yorkton Gridders, Jonathan 'Nitetrain' Nagy took home the Rudy award. Hunter Arnold's brother Reid accepted the award on his behalf for offensive MVP. Cole Burkholder took home the Defensive MVP award and QB Nick Payne was named overall MVP.
Next up was head coach Lance Stilborn who named the award winners for the high school's junior team that also plays in the bantam division of the Regina Minor Football League.
Stilborn awarded Tyrell Ulmer Mr. Enthusiasm, Ryan Krochak won the I Love Football award, Caleb Bymak was named Rookie of the Year, Clark Hoffman, Most Improved Player, Noah Misener and John Muir were co-winners of the Top Lineman Award. Defensive MVP went to Darius Haberstock, Zach Kaise won Offensive MVP and captain of the defensive unit, Grey McKen took home the Most Valuable Player honours. To round out the evening, Sharpe announced the winners for the senior Raiders.
NANO
For the first time in coach Sharpe's immediate memory, the YRHS senior squad announced a football award winner who hadn't played in any games, series, or even a single down all season long, yet remained a close part of the Regional's senior team.
Josh Moreira, nicknamed 'nano', was named the team's Rudy award (more on this to follow).
Other award winners from Sharpe's senior team included: Grey McKen winning the Scholar's award (his second award).
Paul Toth's first of two awards was the Tenacious Hitter award, Kyran Bussier and Sam Allarie split the Coaches award, Layne Hull won the Most Improved Player award, Pete Koshushka was the Top Rookie, Ryan Nagy won Lineman of the Year, Michael 'Moose' Nagy was named Defensive Player of the Year, Dalton Fichtner was Offensive MVP, Hull and Zach Kaise split the Seagull award, and Toth won the final award of the night, taking Most Valuable Player honours.
"Nobody was surprised when Paul Toth won MVP," insists coach Sharpe. "It was a really good season."
He went on to add that until they suffered one of their worst injuries of the season, they were in position to challenge.
"We were one of the top teams in the league until Jake (Prybylski) broke his collar bone," said Sharpe, referring to a game against Notre Dame in early September which saw Prybylski get badly injured.
"It was frustrating," said Sharpe from that point on.
"We went to the middle of the pack with one injury," he said of the Raiders position in the standings.
"This was a great group of guys to coach," adding that you "don't make the playoffs if you're not good. We played the best we could."
SPONSORS
The following businesses contributed door prizes for the banquet. Alexander's Men's Wear, Audio Warehouse, City of Yorkton, Cymbobs Indoor Golf, Gallagher Centre, Herbal Magic, KW Men's Wear, Mark's Work Wearhouse, Marlin Travel, McDonald's Restaurant, Mr. Stereo, PC Place, Small Engine and Tractor Service, Source Embroidery, The News Review, The FOX, GX 94, Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola and Sherring Gold Jewellers.
