At Citadel High school in Halifax on Wednesday night, it was a time of celebration and honouring the successful year it was in football.
Close to three months after winning a fourth consecutive Nova Scotia Student Athletic Federation Football League (NSSAFFL) Tier 1 championship title, the Citadel Phoenix held their annual football awards banquet.
Fresh off announcing home games for the Phoenix throughout the season, Jim Wilson emceed the event. Among those in attendance were Phoenix players, their families, Citadel High principal Linda Choyce, Citadel High Athletic Director Steve Harris, Phoenix offensive and defensive coaching staff as well as Carleton Ravens head coach Steve Sumarah.
During the event, senior players Nick Rhodenizer and A'dre Fraser said a few words on behalf of the players while co-head coaches Mike Tanner and Jeff Lawley recognized the contributions of their players and all the efforts by others in making it another stellar campaign which ended in the four peat in November, 2011.
"Our banquet was a night of celebration and special thanks to our coaches and parents that put countless hours in to support our program," comments Lawley, who is also the defensive coordinator.
NSSAFFL and team awards were handed out. Here is the list of Phoenix award winners:
CITADEL PHOENIX Team Award Winners:
Special Teams Player of the Year: Rob Wilson, Nick Rhodenizer
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Liam Connell, Shaun Robinson
Most Improved Linebacker of the Year: Matt Nettle
Most Improved Defensive Lineman of the Year: Jordan Redding
Most Improved Defensive Back of the Year: Drew MacDonald
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Max Fitzgerald, Emile Milton, Jordan Redding
Defensive Most Valuable Player of theYear: Max Fitzgerald
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Sean Reardon
Offensive Most Improved Player of the Year: Tyrome West, Ian Miller
Offensive Most Valuable Player of the Year: Adre Fraser, Derek Brown
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Dequan Skeir, Bennett Gaskin
NSSAFFL Awards Winners:
Nova Division League MVP: A'dre Fraser
Nova Division Offence MVP: Derek Brown
Nova Division Lineman of the Year: Max Fitzgerald
Nova Division Defense MVP: Mark Sampson
Nova Division Special Teams Top Special Teams Player: A'dre Fraser
NSSAFFL Nova Division all-stars:
FIRST TEAM:
OFFENSE:
QB: Derek Brown
REC: A'dre Fraser
O-Line: Bennett Gaskin
DEFENSE:
D-Line: Max Fitzgerald
Jordan Redding
Emile Milton
LB: Mark Sampson
DB: Rob Wilson
SECOND TEAM:
OFFENSE:
O-Line: Dequan Skeir
DEFENSE:
LB: Matt Nettle
DB: Nick Rhodenizer
Chris Folkins
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