HAMILTON – On Sunday, the Grade 8s took to the field in a Team East vs. Team Halton-Peel matchup that saw Shawn Lukusa, Julian Decarufel and Mitchell Price named the game’s MVPs.
Lukusa, who wore #20 in white, couldn’t believe that he was named the overall MVP. “I was really shocked and surprised because at the start of the game I didn’t play my A game and then Coach Jeff, the head coach, put me on offense and I really went off,” he said.
“My highlight was when I scored my first touchdown. I was really happy.”
Jeff Koradi, the head coach of Team East, had nothing but praise for Lukusa. “He is a tremendous athlete and football player. He’s a great kid and that’s a no brainer from everyone’s perspective,” he said.
The head coach of Team Halton-Peel, JD Ouellette, also felt that Lukusa was a good pick.
Julian Decareful (#92) with JP Ouellette (left) and Jeff Koradi (right).
The game’s offensive performer of the game when to #92, Decarufel. The young running back was quick to point out the award was only won because of his team. “It’s amazing, so crazy. It’s unbelievable,” he said. “It is teamwork, not just mine, but of the team’s. It’s so cool.”
When asked about the highlight of the game, he said, “The run where I started with the run and I pushed through many players.”
Ouellette’s defense was set with the task of stopping Decarufel. “He was really hard to bring down. He had to be gang-tackled,” Ouellette said. “He ran very powerfully and I think he was chewing up a lot of yards for them [Team East]. Definitely a strong offensive player.”
Koradi said that, “Decarufel is a great kid. He banged it up there hard and just pounded and pounded and pounded. He’s a really good football player.”
Mitchell Price (#95) with JP Ouellette (left) and Jeff Koradi (right).
Price, who wore #95 black, couldn’t believe he was named defensive MVP. “I was pretty shocked because everyone on my team played really well and anyone could have got it. It’s well deserved,” he said. “Some of the tackles for losses, getting passed the line [were the highlights].”
Koradi was impressed with the play of Team Halton-Peel’s defensive tackle. “He is a good player. He brought it all day and he was disruptive and that’s how he gets noticed playing defensive line is when you’re disruptive and we have to try to get away from him. He’s a good football player.”
Ouellette echoed Koradi’s sentiments, having said that Price “is a stud. He was all over the field. Guy’s a great athlete.”
He added that, “The committee picked excellent players.”
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