Manitoba Bisons announce commitment of six local high school players (Dobie video interview)

Three players from Oak Park HS are RB Nic Demski, OL Shahpour Birjandian and QB John Kiesman plus West Kildonan OL Mitch MacKay, Grant Park HS DL Eric Dasset and St. Paul’s HS OL Kieran Beveridge

The Manitoba Bisons football team is pleased to announce the commitment of six local high school players heading into the upcoming 2011 season.

From Oak Park High School are running back Nic Demski, offensive lineman Shahpour Birjandian and quarterback John Kiesman plus West Kildonan Collegiate offensive lineman Mitch MacKay, Grant Park High School defensive lineman Eric Dasset and St. Paul’s High School offensive lineman Kieran Beveridge have all committed to the Bisons for the 2011 season.

Bison football head coach Brian Dobie moving into his 16th season at the helm of the Bison Football program stated, “These players have all been educated from various schools and played with different conferences from the Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL). Our goal is to continue to sign outstanding and highly recruited Manitoba players. The growth and strength of the WHSFL highlights an increase level of competition and talent pool that has continued to grow over the years. We are proud to add these six future Bison players to our program.”

Nic Demski, 17, has been a very successful athlete at Oak Park:
• With the Oak Park Raiders, was part of the 2010 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ Champion and was a team captain and MVP of the team at running back position
• Leading rusher in the WHSFL’s Potter Division with 1,119 yards rushing on 99 carries1,133 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns for a 11.3 average plus first in league scoring with 16 overall touchdowns for 100 points in 2010
• The Elite Offensive Player of the Year and WHSFL All-Star and WHSFL honour roll in 2010
• The 6’1”, 208 lbs. player was named Potter Division Player of the Week three times (1- offence; 2- special teams) in 2010
• Named a top 100 Canadian High School Football Player for Class of 2011
• Part of Oak Park hockey team that won provincial championship in 2010-11
• In 2009, was finalist with Oak Park and broke two records in ‘AAA’ championship game with most touchdowns in a game (six) and also a 109 yard run for longest TD
• In 2008, he played QB for Oak Park and won the WHSFL rookie of the year award
• Grade 12 – average 85% academically

Shahpour Birjandian, 17, has had continued success at Oak Park:
• With the Oak Park Raiders, was part of the 2010 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ Champion and received player of the game in championship game, which is rare for offensive lineman
• The 6’3”, 275 lbs. OL player was named a top 100 Canadian High School Football Player for Class of 2011
• Played on the offensive line and was a huge part of opening up running lanes for Nic Demski and protect quarterback John Kiesman
• Starter on Oak Park varsity basketball team, which is in the final four for 2011 provincial tournament
• Grade 12 – average 75% academically

John Kiesman, 17, has been successful at Oak Park:
• With the Oak Park Raiders, was part of the 2010 ANAVETS Bowl ‘AAA’ Champion and was a team captain for two seasons at quarterback position
• The 6’1”, 190 lbs. QB was fifth in the WHSFL’s Potter Division with 506 yards on 29 for 67 passing with five touchdowns and two interceptions in 2010
• Member of the 2010 Oak Park Raiders provincial champion basketball team
• In 2009, was finalist with Oak Park and finished third in WHSFL with 736 yards on 34 for 56 passing with 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions
• His dad Mitch was linebacker and team captain with the Bisons football team in the mid-80s
• Academic Honour Roll with a 90 percent average

Mitch MacKay, 17, finished his high school career at West Kildonan:
• With the West Kildonan Wolverines, he played on both the offensive and defensive line and on defence, registered 27 tackles, three sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections
• In 2010, won the Kas Vidruk Lineman Award (Vidruk East) as well as Elite Performances Defensive Award (Vidruk East); Darcy Bain/ John Potter Bursary Nomination (Vidruk East) and Home Run Sports All Division Team Offence (Vidruk East)
• The 6’3”, 275 lbs. OL/DL player was at West Kildonan for three years and won a championship in 2009
• Grade 12 – average 87% academically

Eric Dasset, 18, finished his high school career at Grant Park:
• With the Grant Park Pirates, he played as a defensive tackle and defensive end for three years
• In 2009, the 6’3”, 280 lbs. DL player was Grant Park Most Outstanding Player and WHSFL All-Star
• He was part of Team Manitoba in 2009 and 2008
• In 2008, WHSFL All-Star and combined stats from 2008-09 were 56 tackles, eight sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries

Kieran Beveridge, 18, completed his high school career at St. Paul’s:
• With the St. Paul’s Crusaders, he played as a left guard on the offensive line and was team captain in his senior year
• In 2010, the 5’11”, 256 lbs. OL player was a WHSFL All-Star and Kas Vidruk Lineman of the year nominee and member of the U-18 Provincial team
• Part of St. Paul’s rugby team in 2010-11 season
• In 2009, St. Vital Mustangs Midget Lineman of the Year as St. Vital was a Midget Football League of Manitoba (MFLM) provincial finalist plus MFLM All-Star and Lineman of the Year nominee
• Member of the Manitoba U-17 Provincial Team – played in 2009 Canada Cup tournament
• Part of 2007 and 2008 MFLM Provincial Champion with St. Vital Mustangs
• 2010 – Silver Honour roll at St. Paul’s High School (80% average)

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