Carpet rolled out for Rangeland Football Conference award winners

“It was awesome because all the hours I put into the gym and all the hours on the field really paid off,” said Meier.

Meier led the Mohawks in rushing in his Grade 11 year and also got more snaps on the other side of the ball, getting in significant time at linebacker.

“I didn’t play much linebacker last year,” said Meier. “So, I really came and showed out this year as linebacker on defence.”

Meier beat out Brooks’ Dominic Ferris, McCoy’s Haedyn Davies, and Crescent Heights’ Tony Simmons for the conference’s top award.

Still eligible to return for his senior year in green and white, the Mohawks dual-threat added he’s not satisfied with individual accolades and is chasing a provincial title in 2020.

“It feels awesome because I still have another year to go,” he said. “So, that’s another year to put in the work.”

In what became a running theme of Sunday’s awards ceremony, Grade 11 students took home some of the RFC’s biggest awards.

Vikings linebacker Brian Davies was crowned RFC defensive player of the year, besting fellow nominees Anthony Hullah (MHHS), Dominic Makoi-Nestrovich (McCoy), and Carter Norton (Brooks) for the award.

“It’s kind of like a dream come true,” said Davies. “That was a goal that I set for myself after last season. I really wanted to step up my game to the next level and I’m really proud of myself that I did that.”

Crescent Heights Vikings head coach Sean Davis (left) presenting RFC defensive player of the year to Brian Davies (right) (Photo courtesy of Scott Roblin)

Though Davies joked the wait on stage for the announcement was an exhausting one.

“It’s just like a weight off my shoulders,” he said. “They were just talking and talking. I was like, ‘Holy, finally.’ I really do appreciate it.”

Davies credits his off-season workouts for getting him into top shape for the 2019 season, also adding he grew in his offensive abilities at fullback and slotback.

As for winning the league-wide award one year away from his senior year, he said that made it a little more special.

“They’ve been playing for longer,” he said. “But, it’s always come pretty natural for me, so it hasn’t been that big of a deal. It’s just make the tackle, do what you need to do, do your assignment.”

Crescent Heights’ second big award of the afternoon went to bench boss Sean Davis, who won coach of the year in just his second season on the Vikings sidelines as head coach.

“I’m very proud to represent my team and to win coach of the year,” said Davis. “But, it’s just a reflection of our team, it’s not just me. All our coaches, players, and staff work tremendously hard for our football program. I just happen to have the title of head coach.”

The Vikings meanwhile have yet to play their biggest game of the season, as they begin their quest for a provincial Tier III title on Saturday.

They will host the W.R. Croxford Cavaliers out of Airdrie at 2:30 pm at the Methanex Bowl in the South Conference Tier III semi-final.

“Airdrie is going to come out and play their best game and we need to do the same,” said Davis. “They’re a very good football team and we’re a very good football team, so it should be an excellent matchup. We’ve already started prepping, so we’re hoping for the best.”

Rookie of the year honours went to Brooks’ Declan Ring, Colts lineman Dan Gervais won outstanding lineman of the year, while the RFC Commissioner’s Trophy for academic and athletic achievement was presented to William MacDougald of the Mohawks.

A 24-man all-star roster was also named including nine players from MHHS, seven from Crescent Heights (Davies, Simmons, Kobe Willis, Garrett Little, Conner Davis, Lucas Semrau, Colby Cave), five from McCoy (Davies, Gervais, Toras Brooks-Kirsch, Coby Laychuk-May, Seth Fandrick), and three from the Buffalos.

by Scott Roblin

Carpet rolled out for Rangeland Football Conference award winners

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