Football PEI recognize top performers of 2011

Football PEI held its annual awards presentations recently, a well-attended event at the Jack Blanchard hall in Charlottetown. In addition to the ADL/Sport PEI Certificates of Achievement, both the Bantam and Varsity Tackle Leagues recognized their best performers.

The senior player of the year award went to Dave Clark of the Holland College Hurricanes, and the PEI Privateers. A strong running back, Clark, who hails from Charlottetown, punished opposing defences with his speed and power, and was a major factor in the Hurricanes winning the Atlantic Football League championship, recording 115 yards in 18 carries in the title decider versus New Brunswick. In the semi-final against Dalhousie, Clark rushed for three touchdowns, racking up 250 yards on 14 carries.

Hurricanes coach Mark MacDougall took the coach of the year award following the team’s Atlantic championship win, the first Maritime intercollegiate football title won by an Island squad for 51 years. Well-respected in the football community, MacDougall, in his rookie season, led the Hurricanes to a 5-1 regular season record, before recording convincing wins against Dalhousie, 31-7, in the semi-final, and a championship-clinching 28-0 shutout over the NB Red Bombers in front of a 2,000 crowd at MacAdam Field.

The Souris Wildcats won team of the year following their 4th consecutive Potato Bowl triumph. A dominant force in the Island League, the Wildcats, led by coach Stephen MacPhee, have a winning percentage of more than 90% in recent seasons, and their production of fine football talent is translating into success at the senior and collegiate levels with Holland College.

Rookie quarterback Taylor Thorne of the PEI Privateers varsity team was named junior male athlete for his outstanding play in 2011, producing performances that took his team all the way to the final of the Potato Bowl, where he had over 200 yards passing and 150 yards rushing. Tenacious and a quick learner, Thorne also excelled in the Six Nations Challenge, where his scrambling ability and strong arm kept the Island team in games against more experienced teams.

The Varsity League also named its winners for the season. They were Alex Fitzpatrick, Most Valuable Player; Cody Keenan, Outstanding Offense; Andrew Simmons, Outstanding Defence, and Chris Rice, Sportsman Award. The Bantam league winners were Ty Wright, Most Valuable Player; Ryan Johnson, Outstanding Offense; Zak Jarvis, Outstanding Defense, and Thomas MacKenzie, Sportsman Award.

For more information on Football PEI and its programs contact Glen Flood at 368-4262, or [email][email protected]

Photos: Dave Clark, running back of the Holland College Hurricanes, (left) receives the Senior Male Player of the Year award, presented by Mike Eyalfson of ADL at the recent Football PEI awards dinner held in Charlottetown.

Mark MacDougall, coach of the Holland College Hurricanes, (left) wins the Coach of the Year award, presented by Mike Eyalfson of Amalgamated Dairies Ltd at the recent Football PEI awards dinner held in Charlottetown.