The Bonnyville Renegades looked back on the highs and lows of their past season.
Players, coaches, friends, and family came together for their year-end banquet at Notre Dame Elementary School on Sunday, Dec. 8.
Head coach Jason Morgan said the team had high hopes at the start of the year.
“The beginning of the season started with all kinds of big visions that we were going to be provincial champions, but we ran into a little snag in the playoffs,” he noted, adding they came in second in the league.
While the night was about the players and their accomplishments on the field, Morgan took a moment to thank the parents for signing their kids up to play.
“The season doesn’t come together without all of these wonderful children, and you guys let us have them out there to coach and be role models for. I know it’s tough to get a group of 10 men and women together that are like-minded, and we all think together that we’re here, not as coaches, but as role models for these young players,” he detailed. “We need to act accordingly, and carry ourselves accordingly so we set a good example for these young men and women.”
The rookie of the year awards went to Connor Lapointe for defence, and Connor Woods for offence.
The coaches couldn’t narrow down the most improved players so Gabe Irwin and Chance Eyolfson walked away with the defensive award, and Epic Fraser and Jorja Rowe were this year’s most improved offensive players.
For lineman of the year, Brayden Cain was named offensive and Graeden Neahr was defensive.
The offensive backfield player of the year was Tanner Massick, and defensive went to Deacon Knappe.
Rylie Kyle was the recipient of the heart and hustle award.
When it came to MVPs, Gunnar Ives was chosen for the special teams, Zayden Ward was defensive, and Sara Fagnan walked away with the offensive title. Liam Critch was awarded the overall team MVP. He said he was surprised to receive the honour.
“Thank for you what my coaches have taught me, and my teammates for being my friends and supporting me on the field.”
This season’s honourable mentions were Matthew Delpeche, Holden Penney, and Jaydin Bercier. There were two new awards in this category. The broom award went to Beau Mallery because he refused to let an injury stop him from helping clean up the locker room during the season, and Gabriel Cole received the ‘can I go in coach?’ honour due to his persistence to play each and every game.
According to Morgan, the Renegades had four women step up to play this year.
“It’s not just a man’s sport. These girls are knocking down the door, and they’re showing these men how to be tough. I think the toughest person on the field was anyone who had to stand in front of Epic and Jorja when they’re yelling,” he laughed.
Morgan wished the graduating players well in their future seasons as they move on to join the Bonnyville Bandits.
“I hope all you men and women that are moving up continue to smile when you play football, and remember that it’s fun. There’s camaraderie, and there’s a family feeling that you won’t get playing any other sport.”
