BY SCOTT HADDOW
After another wild year of great action, the
Sudbury high school football awards banquet will honour the
best of the best from this past season at a special ceremony
tonight at the Caruso Club.
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Lockerby's running back Neil
Petrin will be up for league MVP honours tonight at the
annual SDSSAA football awards banquet. |
The festivities kick off at 6 pm.
Among the awards being dished out will be the
Sid Forster Memorial, recognizing the league MVP; the Chris
Bartolucci Award, recognizing the best offensive player; the
Gary Ricker Award, recognizing the outstanding defensive player
of the season; and the a special award to honour a
builder.
There were many excellent performances
throughout this past season in the local ranks.
To be even mentioned for an award is an
accomplishment unto itself.
Let's take a look at some of the players
who could be up for the Gary Ricker Award.
A front runner has to be Lockerby's
linebacker Jason Cecchini, who was a total force, punishing
opponents all season with his 210-pound frame.
Another Lockerby player, Kevin Garbuio had a
strong season.
Confederation's dynamic duo of linebacker
Mike Wilcock and defensive end Tom Kirkpatrick, who were
one-two in league tackles, will also merit consideration.
St. Chalres tough linebacker Matt Dumont, who
was one of the league leaders in tackles, is also in the
running.
Haddow's pick: Cecchini. Why? He's a
hard core veteran who plays his heart out on every shift and is
an imposing force, even when he's just standing on the side
lines.
Now, let's take a peak at the Chris
Bartolucci Award possibilities.
Once again, Lockerby has a strong candidate
for this award in running back Neil Petrin. The stocky runner
piled up 746 rushing yards along with eight touchdowns in just
five games.
Confederation's running back Mike Switzer
is also in the hunt. Switzer lead the league in rushing yards
with 806.
Lo-Ellen's quarterback Sean Gallagher,
who threw for 580 yards and one touchdown, and all-around
threat Chris Cull, will be in the thick of things as
well.
Kevin Oldfield, an offensive lineman with
Confederation, who's widely regarded as the best at his
position in the league, will also get consideration.
Haddow's pick: Petrin. Why? He was second
in league rushing and lead the league in touchdowns. What more
do you need?
Many of the players listed above will also be
in the running for the Sid Forster Memorial Award.
Switzer, Wilcock, Kirkpatrick, Petrin and
Cecchini would all be worthy winners.
Haddow's pick: Petrin. Why? As stated
before, the running back dominated the league with his elusive
moves and sheer will to score touchdowns.
Good luck to all the candidates.
