Mohawks hand out the hardware to cap 2018 football season

A two-year starter and three-year player with the Mohawks, Brandham led the team under centre to their fifth consecutive Rangeland Football Conference championship and a 9-1 record on the year.

Brandham said there were many deserving players on the offence that deserved the award, but added it’s something he’s waited years for.

“I won offensive player of the year when I was in Grade 9 and since then I haven’t really won anything,” said Brandham. “This is my second award in eight or nine years of playing, so I felt like I really deserved this one. And, I’m really excited that I was able to do everything I could for my team.”

Medicine Hat went undefeated en-route to the Rangeland Football Conference title over the Brooks Buffalos, but a week later they lost 25-23 to the Catholic Central Cougars in the South Zone championship.

Brandham said while the team is still trying to get over the way their season finished, he’s still proud of the work that was put in by his teammates.

“It was disappointing the way it ended, but I was so excited to finish it out with all of these guys,” he said. “I never could have imagined a better group of kids to play with. My offensive line was phenomenal, they only allowed me to get sacked once and all my receivers bailed me out when I didn’t throw the best balls.”

Not even 17-years-old yet, Brandham is looking at junior football options before making a decision on where he would like to play college ball.

On the other side of the field, Justin Maser was the easy choice to be named Mohawks defensive player of the year.

Starring at the Methanex Bowl over the last three seasons at middle linebacker, Maser is now a two-time winner of the prestigious defensive award.

He said it was a perfect way to see his career in Mohawks green and white come to a close.

“Just going out knowing I gave it my all,” said Maser. “Even though we had the record that we didn’t want to have, 9-1 is great but I gave it my all every single game I played. So, my last high school award for football was defensive player of the year and it just feels great.”

Maser’s football career isn’t ending at the high school level however, as last week he signed his letter of intent to play with the University of Regina Rams beginning next season.

A move that he’s been working towards over the last three years at Medicine Hat High School.

“I’m still starstruck about it,” he said. “It feels like a dream come true and I’ve worked my whole life to get to this point. So, I’m excited for the future and the next five years playing for the Rams.”

Rookie of the year honours were split between running backs Elic Ayomanor and Piercen Meier, while Connor Taylor was named lineman of the year.

Robert Wainwright and Anthony Hullah co-owned the most improved player award, with utility tool Josh Howe picking up the unsung hero award.

Winning the scout team award was Ryoma Hernandez, which preceded Ethan Scott’s victory with the ‘Tough as Flint’ award.

Graduating Grade 12 students Lachlan Hardiker and Tanner Winter meanwhile both earned the Mohawks coaches award.

by Scott Roblin

Mohawks hand out the hardware to cap 2018 football season

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