Canada West football Players of the Week: Blaszko, Mark, Walker

OFFENCE: #89, Brett Blaszko, Calgary

Brett Blaszko couldn’t have asked for a better start to his CIS career.
A week after scoring a 65-yard touchdown on his first-ever CIS catch – and leading the Dinos with 107 receiving yards in his first game – Blaszko was at it again in the Dinos’ 65-6 mauling of the Alberta Golden Bears Friday night at McMahon Stadium. Playing just one half of the game, the Burlington, Ont. native racked up seven catches for 117 yards and added two more majors – including what turned out to be the game-winning touchdown just under four minutes into the opening quarter.
The freshman was inches away from a third TD late in the third quarter on a 32-yard completion from Eric Dzwilewski, but he was called down at the one-yard line. Running back Steven Lumbala would punch it into the end zone from there.
Through two weeks of the season, Blaszko is the leading receiver in Canada West with 13 catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns.
He and the third-ranked Dinos (2-0) head to Winnipeg this week to face the Manitoba Bisons (2-0) in the battle for first place in Week 3 of the Canada West schedule.

DEFENCE: #22 Jamir Walker, Regina

Fifth-year cornerback Jamir Walker had a pair of second-half interceptions for the Rams in the team’s 49-20 home win over UBC on Friday night.
Walker’s two picks came in a span of three UBC possessions in the fourth quarter, and his second was returned 19 yards for his fourth interception return touchdown of his career. Walker is now tied for sixth in Canada West history with 16 career interceptions and has three picks in the Rams’ first two Canada West games.
Walker also recorded a pass breakup in the third quarter and tallied three solo tackles and three assisted tackles in the victory.
The Rams (1-1) will travel to Edmonton next weekend for a game against the Alberta Golden Bears (0-2), a game that can be seen live on www.canadawest.tv.

SPECIAL TEAMS: #33, Johnny Mark, Calgary

Returning second team All-Canadian Johnny Mark was a busy man Friday night during the Calgary Dinos’ 65-6 win over the Alberta Golden Bears.
In addition to going 8-8 on PATs, Mark added three field goals (16, 30, and 12 yards) on the night to score 17 points. However, it was is punting that was most remarkable.
Though he punted just four times on the night, Mark exploded for a 47.5-yard average, including a 65-yard bomb and another that travelled 51 yards. That brings his season average up over 40 yards for the first time in his career.
Mark will look to continue his kicking hot streak next Saturday as the Dinos head to Winnipeg to face the Manitoba Bisons at University Stadium.