Mustangs hold 2013 Football Awards Night

Senior Mustangs MVP:  Justin Albert
T. Lucas photos

Toni Lucas and Coach Tom Holoboff

The final wrap up of the 2013 Mustangs Football season was an awards pot-luck banquet held in the Co-op Convention Center in the south end of Ranchland Mall. Coaches, players of all levels, parents, family and well-wishers gathered to say goodbye to the season.

Almost every person who stepped up to the microphone thanked Mustangs President Faith Zachar for her dedication to the sport and for starting football in the area and keeping it strong for the last 19 years.

Coach of the Year Dan Crawford

There were two additions to this years presentation. For the season that ended in 2012, the Pincher Creek Mustangs received Coaching staff of the Year for the league, with Dan Crawford receiving Coach of the Year. These awards were presented at the start of the evening.

Stephen Hochstein and Cord Delinte

Mustangs alumni Cord DeLinte and Stephen Hochstein, both currently playing for the Okanagan Sun,  gave a short speech and opened the floor to questions and answers.

The awards were presented by the coaches included Tom Holoboff, Mark Barber, Travis Liscombe, Alex Oliver, Jamie Kiffiac, Dylan Stevens, Todd Merrick, Dan Crawford, and Wayne Alexander.

PeeWee Mustangs Awards

Coach Tom Holoboff

Well sports fans it is with great sadness I report that another season of Mustangs Football has come to a close. Saturday night saw the season wrap up with the awards banquet. As always the potluck supper was fantastic with so much food and so little plates hahaha. A big shout out and thank you to Boston Pizza for donating pizza to the event - hhmmmm it was so good. It was great to see so many great young men and women recognized for their hard work and effort.

I do hate to single out players each year because each and every player brings something special to the team. The Peewee awards were presented as follows:

Offensive Line: Tysen Teneycke

Offensive Line: Went to Tysen 'The Man' Teneycke. This fine young man could do almost anything I asked anywhere on the football field, however due to his size he was restricted as to the roles he could play. Now do not mistake my words, he is slightly taller than Coach Tom and is in excellent shape. Peewee football has some weight restrictions for certain positions that not all respect but the Mustangs do. I am sure as Tysen moves up to the next levels the coaches will be able to more use his many talents. Did I mention Tysen has the demeanor of a teddy bear? Great job Tysen.

Defensive Line:  Ty Anderson

Defensive Line: Ty 'Real Deal' Anderson was a terror to quarterbacks and running backs all season. Ty played anywhere I asked and showed great determination wherever and whenever he played. Ty shows an eagerness to learn and improve that will help him be the best player he can possibly be.

Most Improved: Went to a very quiet young man, Quinn 'The Silencer' Parker Withlow. Quinn started the season as a shy quiet young man that stayed to the fringes but was always watching and learning. I could always see in his eyes that he was studying what was happening and learning from seeing what the others did. As the season progressed Quinn progressed with it to the point where he was a very prolific defensive player. I look forward to watching Quinn progress through the different stages of his football career.

Rookie of the Year: Went to a fine young man that showed raw determination when he runs. Daryle 'Cutter' Lance Palao played running back most of the season and often would carry two or three defenders for extra yardage. I liken him to a great Canadian running back named Jon Cornish, perhaps Lance will be the first Canadian/Filippino running back in the CFL.

Rookie of the Year:  Daryle Palao

Defensive Back/Linebacker: Mathew 'The Giant' Bruder played corner with great heart and determination. Anyone that has played corner knows that it is the lonest position on the field. To be a successful corner back you must use your head and discipline to stay at home and wait. Mathew always did his best and used the few mistakes he made learning experiences

Running Back/Receiver: Grace 'Hands' Kirkness showed right from the beginning of the season that she would catch anything thrown remotely close to her. Grace also played outside linebacker with a lot of success but it was her catches that caught everyone on the team attention. Often when we needed a play to get us going the theme in the huddle was throw it to Grace, she can do it. I look forward to having Grace back for one more season

Defensive Star: Caleb 'Cat Man' Jones played the other corner opposite of Mathew. I seem to single out the corners on defense because it is so difficult to play and my defense is centered around the ability of the corner to turn the play back inside. Calab will play anywhere I ask and do a great job. Caleb is another player I really look forward to seeing back for another season

Offensive Star: Isaac 'Spiderman' Webb started this season as a raw rookie. I was never sure in the beginning if Isaac was really paying attention to anything I said. Then after about 2 weeks, when someone would say, coach what do I do here, Isaac would come and tell them exactly what they were to do. I guess he was paying attention hahaha. Oh and Isaac did score the first touch down for the Peewee Mustangs this year

Team Spirit: This award is for the player who maybe does not have the most talent but shows the most sportsmanship and team spirit (ok duh). Well don't get me wrong this young man has plenty of talent, but was hurt 1/2 way through the year. Jarret 'Jet' Plante broke his collar bone in Cochrane but that did not stop Jarret from supporting his team mates. He was out to almost all the practices and the games to provide supporting words to his team mates. We do hope that Jarret does have a speedy recovery so he can continue his success in the pool as well as the field.

Heart: This award goes to the player that displays the true essence of the team. Gus 'The Meat' Halibert plays as hard as anyone that I have ever seen on the football field. More than once I saw opposing players taking extra liberties with Gus after the play, never did I see retaliation from Gus. He would get up with a smile and hit 'em all the harder the next play. Gus is also one of the finest young gentlemen I have ever met. Gus shows fair play and good sportsmanship is the Mustang way

Heart:  Gus Halibert

MVP: In a team sport such as football it is hard to say one player is more valuable then the next on the football field. Football is 12 players moving the ball towards a common goal. However in Richie 'The Hammer' Myles-Lagrandeur's case I think we can make a case for invaluable on the field. More than once I heard the phrase "Thank God for Richie". Richie is a fine young man that displayed amazing skill and determination to excel on the field. I will miss Richie as he moves up to the next level of football.

MVP:  Richie Myles-Lagrandeur

   I am sorry that I could not give each player an award as they all played with great heart and determination. Football is a great game that teaches young men and women many life skills about working together supporting each other to reach a common goal. I do want to comment about one thing. I have heard more than one person comment that football is taking away from school sports. I am extremely disappointed in this attitude as anything is farther from the truth. All sports for youth are great and should be encouraged. This gives our youth something to work for and keep them focused. Football is one of the few sports that has a position for kids of all athletic ability.

To discourage a child from participation in any sport is telling them to hang out on the street and cause trouble.

Coaches, parents and teachers I ask you to encourage the kids to be involved in sports or clubs. Do not tell them "No you cannot play my sport if you participate in that other sport or club". Encourage participation in all, let them experience all the good things in life. Sport develops fitness and direction, encourage participation in all. Lets all work together in allowing our kids to experience the best that life has to offer and keep them out of trouble.

Well sports fans until next year this is coach Tom reminding everyone that every day is a great day for football.


Bantam Mustangs Awards

Defensive Line: Colton Teneycke

Offensive Line: John Walker

Rookie of the Year: Trennen Shortreed

Receiver / Running Back: Brenden Lissel

Defensive Linebacker: Thane Buckingham

Defensive Linebacker: Thane Buckingham

• Offensive Star: Jordan Hochstein
• Defensive Star: Austin Bruder
• Most Improved: Connor McLeod
• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Tyler Riviere
• Team Spirit: Shay Robertson

Team Spirit: Shay Robertson

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Tyler Riviere

Senior Mustangs Awards
Rookie of the Year: David Shortreed

Most Improved: Cooper Hagley and Jeremiah Peacemaker

 Most Improved: Jeremiah Peacemaker and Cooper Hagley

Coaches Award: Merrick Stauffer and Tiegan Lissel

Coaches Award:  Merrick Stouffer and Teigan Lissel

Most Dedicated: Eddie Many Guns

Eddie Many Guns with Coach Alxander

Team Spirit: Eddie Many Guns

Special Teams: Montana Jones

Top Lineman: Bailie McDougall

Top Defensive Player: Justin Albert and Bailey McDougall

Top Offensive Player: Justin Albert

Most Valuable Player (MVP): Justin Albert

This season The Southern Alberta High School Football League recognized three of the senior players from Pincher Creek as All Stars:  Defensive Back -  Justin Albert, Defensive Line - Bailie McDougall, and Defensive Back Eddie Many Guns.

After all other awards were given out the Senior Mustangs that are graduating were called up. It was a poignant moment because these players will not be on the team next year. They include Austin Sinclair, Bailey McDougall, Robbie Smith, and Eddie Many Guns. They were given certificates and blue horseshoes to remind them of the spirit of being a Mustangs football player.

Farewell Eddie, Austin and Bailie

"In the Springtime, I'm going to try out for the Okanagan Sun with my brother, and my team mate, Austin Sinclair," said Bailie McDougall. "I want to continue, and see how far I can get with football."

"I just wanted to get everybody back into the flow of football," said Eddie Many Guns who has been a Mustang for 6 years. One of the ways he showed his dedication to the team was by starting the season early running camps of his own for anyone that wanted to join him.

Mustangs also won coaching staff of the year for the league

"It makes me feel like all the hard work and effort I put in was recognized," said Many Guns who was appreciative of the awards he has won. "Every game, every practice, I gave with my heart. This was my last year, and I didn't want to waste it. That wasn't about getting awards, that was to inspire the guys younger than me to become a better athlete." Many Guns plans on trying out for some junior teams in the spring. "My passion for football is too big, I just can't abandon it. Football saved my life. If I hadn't played football I would have gone down a darker path. I am happy that the team and this town supported me and didn't give up on me through the years. These people developed me into a player, and football has developed my character for the rest of my life."

After the awards ceremony there was time for mingling, photos, and the chance to say goodbye to the game for a season.