Mist’s Schnoor earns Offensive Player of the Year nomination

As the Seattle Mist wraps up its fifth regular season, running back Stevi Schnoor has earned a nod a nominee for the Legends Football League’s Offensive Player of the Year Award. She is the lone nominee from a Western Conference team, part of a field that includes Atlanta Steam players Dakota Hughes and Lauran Ziegler, along with Chicago Bliss running back Chris’Dell Harris.

The British Columbia resident, whose athletic background includes a stint with the Canadian rugby national team, is part of six members of the Mist family nominated for awards. Quarterback KK Matheny and defensive stalwart Danika Brace are both up for the League MVP award. Once again, Hughes and Ziegler provide opposition.

Wide receiver Kari Findling is a nominee for the Rookie of the Year Award, while center Meghan Hanson hopes to win the inaugural In the Trenches Award. Joining the list of nominees is head coach Chris Michaelson, looking to win the Coach of the Year Award.

Schnoor’s efforts were part of a memorable season that saw the Mist capture the top spot in the league’s Western Conference. Playing on both ends of the ball, Schnoor ranked fourth on the Mist with 13.5 tackles, while her 11 solo tackles placed her third overall, respectively. She would also lead the team with three fumble recoveries while tying with Brace and Hanson in forced fumbles, with two each.

In the aftermath of the 2015 regular season, Schnoor was one of only three running backs to gain more than 300 rushing yards. Her 311 yards ranked second overall, sandwiched between LA Temptation player (and former Regina Riot roster member) Carmen Bourseau’s 303 and league rushing champion Dominique Maloy of Las Vegas with 337.

Of note, Schnoor’s 55 rushing attempts topped all players in the league. This was complemented by an average of 5.7 yards per carry and three rushing touchdowns. As the Mist totaled 486 rushing yards this season, Schnoor accounted for 64% of the rushing attack. In addition, she ranked third on the team in receptions and fourth in receiving yardage, demonstrating remarkable versatility.

It was part of a season for the Mist that featured proud Canadian content. As a side note, fellow Canadian (and Mist teammate) Deanna Schaper-Kotter tied for first in the league with sacks. In that category, she tied Chicago Bliss member (and former Saskatoon Sirens player) Heather Furr.

Adding to the magic of such a sensation season for Schnoor and her Mist teammates is the fact that the Mist shall be the host franchise for the 2015 LFL Championship Game at ShoWare Centre on August 23. With the league’s annual awards ceremony to be held on August 22, it promises to be part of a landmark moment in franchise history.

There is no question that the bigger prize is the opportunity to win the Legends Cup. Of all the LFL franchises to have not captured said Cup, the Mist are the winningest franchise. The chance to claim an elusive championship on home soil would only add to the history that would bestow Schnoor. Along with Hopkins, the two were members of the Canadian Legends Cup title with the BC Angels in 2012. Should this remarkable duo be among the proud Mist members to hoist the Legends Cup on August 23, they would be the first two players to have claimed the prize on both sides of the border.