Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will be posting high school team previews from June to September as part of our comprehensive season coverage. Canadafootballchat.com (CFC) has tapped into our network of coaches to produce high school team previews for the 2017 season. The previews highlight top returning players, team strengths, and toughest opponents.
CFC also will bring you the national high school football rankings known as the #CFC50. Last year’s final rankings were the most controversial to date… and we heard about it. Whether you agree or disagree, we love hearing from you. For an explanation of how the rankings are computed, please scroll to the bottom of the page.
Bonnyville Voyageurs (ASAA – Tier 2 Wheatland League)
After a tough loss in their semi-final game last season to the Lloydminster Barons 21-14, the Bonnyville Voyageurs are “ready” as said by Head Coach Larry Godziuk to compete with the best and win 2017’s league title.
The best, as stated by the Coach Godziuk are currently the Holy Rosary Raiders and the Lloydminster Barons. “Both teams consistently prepare their players well,” Coach Godziuk explained. “We consider them our biggest challenge in our league.”
The Raiders have been on top of the Wheatland Football League three years running but were stumped for a provincial victory against reigning provincials champions the Cochrane Cobras.
The Voyageur squad ended their regular season 6-2 with an impressive individual performance from freshmen slotback Evan Fritzler.
The young ‘X’ factor player will have to step it up for this season as the Voyageurs’ new ‘defensive weapon’ (photo courtesy: Larry Godziuk)
As an agile player, Fritzler leads his team on the ground which shows in his 220 rushing yard season. Coach Godziuk describes him as a “determined ball carrier” making 178 receiving yards look easy with his speed as his main advantage.
Fritzler is highlighted as the ‘X’ factor for the team which will pass over onto the 2017 season. After a freshman year as slotback, Fritzler will have the opportunity to turn up on defence as a feature linebacker.
“Evan has worked hard in the offseason to improve all areas of his physical conditioning and is looking forward to the challenge,” Godziuk said.
Returning QB Silas Fagnan is off to a hot start in his Voyageur career. Coach Godziuk is looking forward to what this player can bring to the field in 2017 (photo courtesy: Larry Godziuk)
This season also saw record-breaking numbers coming from freshmen quarterback Silas Fagnan and senior players Reid Skrypichayko and Zach Hesson.
Fagnan set multiple school records including 5 touchdown passes in a single game, 20 touchdown passes, 79 completions and a grand total of 1520 passing yards all in a single season making this young upcoming player a promising quarterback for the Bonnyville team.
Other records that were set by the Voyageurs this season included punt return touchdowns in a game set by Skrypichayko and two other records made by Hesson included interception returns in a game and also in a season.
The three players were awarded for their individual successes at the end of their season.
Fagnan received the 2016 Voyageurs Offensive Player of the Year Award while Skrypichayko was awarded with the 2016 Offensive Most Valuable Player and Hesson won the 2016 Special Teams Award.
Hesson and Skrypichayko are two of the eight starters that are moving on from their high school football careers leaving the team in the hands of capable players such as Fagnan and Fritzler.
With 25 years under his belt with the Voyageur team, Coach Godziuk says he has never seen his team score points like this ever before and hopes to continue the hustle especially with his returnees coming back from an explosive opening season.
“Our goals [for next season] are to develop a well rounded offensive attack and to challenge for the league title.”
The Voyageurs open their fall season competing against the Whitecourt Cats followed by the Fort McMurray Trappers and the Cold Lake Royals. From there, they meet again with the Barons and the Raiders in hopes of redemption and finally, a spot on top of the pack.
Bonnyville Voyageurs (ASAA – Tier 2 Wheatland League)
Head Coach: Larry Godziuk (6 years as HC)
#CFC50 Ranking: N/A
2016 Record: 6-2
Key Returnees: Silas Fagnan, Evan Fritzler, Aaron Goulet, David Nahirniak, Jacob Cardenas
Key Losses: Reid Skrypichayko, Zach Hesson, Arrien Gerlach, Kole Malishewski
Number of Returning Starters – Offence: 9
Number of Returning Starters – Defence: 8
“X” Factor: #24 Evan Fritzler (LB)
First punt return TD in a few years … good job #ReidSkrypichayko.
Posted by Bonnyville Voyageurs Football Team on Saturday, September 10, 2016
Reid Skrypichayko (#31) getting into the record books in Bonnyville after a 60 yard punt return to the endzone
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CLICK HERE FOR 2016 FINAL CFC50 RANKINGS
How is the #CFC50 evaluated?
The #CFC50 rankings considers all conference and non-conference games (in Canada and the United States) while scrimmages are not evaluated (there is no such thing as an exhibition game – those are non-conference games).
Leagues included in rankings: British Columbia AAA Varsity, Alberta Tier One, Saskatchewan 12-man 4A, Manitoba AAA Varsity, Ontario OFSAA Bowl AAA qualified teams, Quebec Juvenile Division 1, New Brunswick 12-man, Nova Scotia Tier 1.
The #CFC50 is a relative ranking that considers top tier leagues from all eight high school playing provinces (minimum one team represented from each province). The CFC Scouting Bureau consists of CFC Reporters, CFC Scouts, and also selected local reporters and scouts who submit local ranking results on a weekly basis. This is the eighth year that Canadafootballchat.com has ranked the top high school teams in Canada.
Join the conversation online #CFC50
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