Mustangs hold 2012 Banquet and Awards ceremony

2012 Pincher Creek Mustangs
C. Davis and J. Davis photos

Josh Davis

On Friday November 9 the Ranchlands Mall Co-op hosted the Pincher Creek Mustangs football banquet and awards ceremony. The room was packed; in attendance were all three Mustangs teams, Peewee, Bantam and Senior, as well as their Coaches and families. A delicious potluck dinner was served at the banquet, with the Seniors and us lucky press types fed first.

Peewee Mustangs

Peewee Mustangs MVP Jordan Hochstein
with Coaches Tom Holoboff and Travis Liscombe

Delivered first were the Peewee trophies, awarded by Coaches Tom Holoboff, and Travis Liscombe. Holoboff praised his player’s determination and strength of character, noting both the small size of the Peewee team and its players.

”My Peewee crew, we weren’t great in numbers. We weren’t great in size, but we were great in heart,” said Holoboff. “My kids never once backed down, they never even balked, you know, they just say ‘Okay, I’ve got a job to do, I’m gonna go do it’. They stood up. Those are a brave bunch of boys, I’ll tell you.”

Holoboff added how inspired he was by the finalist for the CFL’s Outstanding Player in the west, Calgarian Jon Cornish. “I want to give some kids some dreams,” he said, noting that “Canadians can do it in the CFL, so dream.”

Gus Halibert

The first Peewee award given was the Offensive End of the season, Gus “the Meat” Halibert. “He’s a real brave young fella,” said Holoboff with a smile. “He’s ten years old, he’s playing against eleven and twelve year olds, and he’s been more than pulling his weight.”

Jessie Saulnier

The next award was given to Jessie Saulnier, the Defensive End of the season. “Jessie is a natural defensive end,” said Holoboff.  “When we needed a play Jessie was there to stop it.”

Grace Kirkness

The Most Improved Player this season was Grace Kirkness, currently the team’s sole female player. If you’ve watched the season thus far than you already know, man, can that girl play! “She’s a real strong, real good player.” Said Holoboff, noting that her normally shy persona fades away once she takes to the field.

Matthew Bruder

Matthew Bruder was given the award for Team Spirit, but unfortunately was unable to make it to the ceremony. “He was probably our smallest player, at times he got picked on a little bit, but never once stopped smiling, never once complained, was always at practice, always happy to be there. He never backed down.”

Jarret Plant

Next up was Jarret Plante, the Rookie of the Year. “Put him anywhere and he did his job, he learned, he listened, so thank you very much,” said Holoboff.

Hunter Austring

This season’s Defensive Lineback award went to Hunter Austring. Holoboff had nothing but good things to say of Austring. “He hits like a ton.”

The Running Back/Receiver award was given to the talented Richie LaGrandeur. “He was an outstanding running back and receiver.”

The award for Defensive Star was given to corner Caleb Jones. “Caleb has always hung in, he listens, and when he makes a mistake he is always the first one to say ‘yeah, I blew it’.”

The Offensive Star of the season was fullback TJ Metcalfe “He never backed down, never stopped, and was going hard from the first play to the last play.”

Tristan Liscombe

Quarterback Tristan Liscombe was given the award for Heart this season. “Tristan was a true leader on our team.”

The Peewee Mustangs Most Valuable Player was Jordan Hochstein. “I’m actually surprised he’s not standing up here already. I never have to tell Jordan what to do at any time; he’s usually just standing out where he’s supposed to be. Never backs down from anybody, do you Jordan?”

Tom Holoboff is also participating in Movember, growing a moustache and beard in order to raise funds and awareness for men's health issues, including prostate cancer and male mental health initiatives. Visit http://ca.movember.com for more information, or Tom’s page at http://mobro.co/tomholoboff.

Bantam Mustangs

Bantam Mustangs 2012 MVP Ben Riviere
with Coaches Stan Walker, Tyler Pittman, and Dan Crawford

Austin Bruder

The Bantam Awards were officiated by Head Coach Dan Crawford, as well as assistant coaches Stan Walker and Tyler Pittman, winner of last year’s Heaviest Hitter Award for the Seniors. The 2012 season has boasted the most successful team in Bantam Mustangs history, something the ever-humble coach Crawford attributes to the help he received from Senior Mustangs coaches Peter Brannen and Wayne Alexander.

Troy Pittman

“Peter asked me what the perfect scenario for the season would be. My answer was ‘You do the offense, Wayne can run defense, and I’ll take the glory for a wonderful season,” said Crawford with a smile. “The beautiful thing is they fell for it.” He also thanked the parents, as well as Pincher Creek Football Boosters Association President Faith Zachar, for their many contributions. This season marks the Bantam Mustangs’ first time making it to the league finals.

Hayden Varley

The first Bantam award was given to Austin Bruder, the Defensive Lineman of the year. “This is the young man who moved up from peewees this year. He loves to tackle, is aggressive, and gave many quarterbacks nightmares,” said Coach Walker.

Bruce Kirby

The Offensive Lineman of 2012 was Troy Pittman. “This next kid, he grew a lot actually,” laughed Coach Pittman. “He’s not as big as he used to be but he still hits like a big, hard kid. I wanted to see him running the ball at the beginning of the year, but I think he wanted to hit kids more.”

Hayden Varley was given the Rookie of the Year award. “It’s hard to believe this is his first year in football; he plays with the intensity and skill of a veteran. Big, strong, and fast, just what a coach dreams about,” said Crawford.For Receiver/Running back of the year we have Bruce Kirby. “This is his first year of football” said Pittman. “He’s a really good kid to be around, he’s a lot of fun, and he runs really well.”

Tyler Riviere

The Defensive Back of the year was Tyler Riviere. “This is a young man who gave us a lot of great tackles,” said Walker. “He could also run the ball, but I think he liked to stop people dead in their tracks more than anything.”

Shay Robertson

Shay Robertson was the Offensive Star of the Bantam season. “He complains a lot, but that’s okay, he’s got a lot of heart,” said Pittman of Robertson. “He took this offense and did something great with it.”

Kyle Knowlton

The Defensive Star was Kyle Knowlton. “We put this guy in just about every position we had. He was a fullback, a slotback, a linebacker, a quarterback, and a kicker. When a big tackle happened out on the field, and the dust cleared he was generally in on it. We pity the poor ball carriers.”

Bryce Crawford

The 2012 Patrick Zachar award for team Spirit, donated by the Zachar family, was Bryce Crawford. “This young man was an inspiration to us all,” said Coach Crawford. “He showed up ready to play every day with a positive attitude and willingness to learn. It didn’t matter if it was raining, snowing, or gale force winds, there was always a twinkle in his eye.”

John Walker

John Walker was recognized as the Most Improved Player of the season. “This young man, he had some ups and downs in the season. He went through some really rough stuff, but when we finally found a position that he needed to be in he was really killer,” said Coach Walker. “He scared a lot of quarterbacks.”

Jaeger Hann

The Heart award went to Jaeger Hann.  According to Coach Walker “You could hear it if it was 120 kilometre winds, you could hear ‘huddle!’.”

Ben Riviere was the Most Valuable Player on the Bantam Mustangs team, and it was easy to tell why after watching the games. This talented young man played both sides of the ball incredibly well, and was responsible for many of the Bantam’s touchdowns and interceptions throughout the season. He has been nominated by Seniors Coach Todd Merrick for a Canadian All-Stars team, and we here at the Pincher Creek Voice wish him nothing but the best of luck in all his future endeavours.

On another note, Coach Dan Crawford was responsible for the Jail and Bail Fundraiser held last June, which raised over 8000 dollars for Mustangs Football (Click here for that story).

Senior Mustangs

2012 Senior Mustangs MVP Stephen Hochstein
with Wayne Alexander, Todd Merrick, Jamie Kiffiak, Dillon Stephens, Peter Brannen

Last up were the Senior Mustangs, who were presented with their awards by Head Coach Peter Brannen, along with Coaches Wayne Alexander, Todd Merrick, and former players Dillon Stephens and Jamie Kiffiak. The Mustangs made it to Provincial semi-finals for the first time ever this year, achieving the goal they set at the end of last year. Brannen also praised his player’s hard work and dedication.

“Last year we said we needed three things to go to Provincials. We needed more dedication from the players in terms of being there, working hard, being at practice, we wanted them to work off season, and we said we sure could use some extra bodies. Well, baby, two out of three ain’t bad.”

Cord Delinte

The Senior Mustangs also won the Division B trophy again this year. “Two years in a row baby!” exclaimed Coach Brannen, as he brought forward the Jerry Dawson cup. Brannen cited the excellent contributions of his assistant coaches in making this an incredibly successful season for the Senior Mustangs. The Mustangs ended with 7 wins and three losses, holding a winning streak throughout much of the season.

“This is the first time we’ve ever been this close,” said Brannen after the ceremony. “But it won’t be the last time.”

Montana Jones

Coaches Alexander and Brannen first delivered a new award, the Coaches Award; Wayne Alexander explained the nature of the award. “The Coaches Award is a new category the coaches decided to award this year. It’s to acknowledge the player who has the ability to lead on the field, to bridge the gap in communication between the coaches and players, and keep calm in all situations.” which they delivered to Cord Delinte, and Gabe Rainford. “Both of these players have shown huge changes from last year. Both have matured as football players, and have accepted a greater role on, and off, the field.”

The Most Improved Player this season was Chase Gorgichuk. “We didn’t really know where to put him last year, and this year I think he’s found a bit of a home,” said Brannen. “He wasn’t the biggest guy or the biggest hitter; he wasn’t the fastest guy or the most experienced player; but he certainly has shown himself. He’s making a difference.”

Chase Gorgichuk

Montana Jones granted the award for Rookie of the Year. “He improved tremendously,” said Stephens of his progress throughout the season.

Lane Crawford

The Nic Macintosh Spirit Award, donated by Badger Engraving was given by Coach Kiffiak to Lane Crawford this year. “Nic Macintosh, he actually played football with my brother, and he was a tremendous player,” said Kiffiak. “His spirit lives on through this award.” “(Crawford) was like Nic. I don’t think I ever heard him get down on himself or other players. He worked hard, he was dedicated, he did his job, he did it tremendously, though hurting.”

Special Teams Player of the year was the ever talented Cord Delinte, given by the head of the kicking program, Todd Merrick. “This guy worked real hard, he’s been a core member of the team.”

Braden Barber

The next trophy was given to the Most Dedicated Player of the season, Braden “Ginger” Barber. Braden went home with an armful of trophies, also winning the Top Offensive Player Award. This self-driven player has always been a pleasure to photograph, as he followed up his Spirit award won last year. “I don’t think this is going to surprise anybody,” said Brannen as he awarded him Top Offensive Player. “This is a young man who has thrilled the fans with many a breakaway touchdown. He’s thrilled the fans with hiding behind his big lineman… and all of a sudden just sprinting out in the open, and he’s gone.”

Alex Oliver

The Lineman of the Year was Alex Oliver. “I never heard this guy say quit either,” said coach Kiffiak. “He’s one heck of a player; skilled, strong, dedicated. It’s a joy to watch this guy play football.”

Kory Geddes

For Top Defensive Player of the season we have Kory Geddes. “One of the only words that comes to mind is ‘intimidating’,” said Stephens. “He was all over the offense and the defence.  He played both sides of the ball. He was exciting to watch everywhere he went.”

The Most Valuable Player award was granted to Stephen Hochstein. “We have so many boys with talent on this team,” said Coach Brannen. “It’s never an easy choice picking one over others, but this young man has been so critical on both sides of the ball for us. He has blocked and cleared a path for our outstanding and league all-star running back. He has carried the ball himself and broken off his own long runs. He has made a difference on defence wherever we put him. He just breathes the game, in the sense that he understands what it takes to be a superior athlete and to be a success on the field.”

Coach Brannen closed the ceremony by expressing his great thanks to the parents for their support and sacrifices for their children. Following this many people stuck around to help clean up the hall.