KINGSTON, Ont. – Rookie linebacker Sam Sabourin of Stittsville, Ont., collected two awards at the football team’s annual banquet held Saturday evening in Kingston.
Sabourin was awarded the Royal Todd Trophy as the team’s rookie of the year as well as the Lou Bruce Trophy for defensive player of the year.
Sabourin enjoyed an outstanding rookie season with the Gaels and started his career with a bang when he set the team record for solo tackles in a game in his first contest against McMaster. He would go on to finish the year ranked third in the CIS with 64 total tackles, including 50 solo tackles, also a new team record. Along the way, he earned two OUA Defensive Player of the Week honours and one CIS Defensive Player of the Week honour. Following the season, Sabourin was the unanimous choice for OUA Rookie of the Year.
Fifth year running back Jimmy Therrien of Montreal, took home MVP honours as he was awarded the Johnny Evans Trophy.
Therrien was a workhorse for the Gaels this past year, rushing for 515 yards on 109 carries and three touchdowns. He twice rushed for more than 100 yards in a game with his season best performance coming in the Gaels 66-1 victory over Toronto when he racked up 147 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The Orrin Carson Trophy, awarded to the top offensive and defensive lineman, was split three ways this year as Matthew O’Donnell of Kingston, Ont., and Dan Bederman of Toronto, shared the honours for the offensive line while John Miniaci of Toronto, took home the award for the defensive line.
O’Donnell was named the recipient of the J.P. Metras award as the OUA’s top lineman of the year. The biggest player in college football, O’Donnell also earned CIS First Team All-Canadian status and became just the second player in Queen’s history to take part in the East-West Shrine Bowl.
Bederman, a five year veteran on the offensive line, has been a stalwart at centre for Queen’s, earning OUA All-Star status in each of his final three seasons.
Miniaci, last season’s Royal Todd Trophy winner, continued his outstanding play at defensive tackle, finishing second on the team in sacks with 4.5 and third on the team in tackles with 29.
Offensive player of the year honours (Doug Hargreaves Trophy) went to receiver Devan Sheahan of Kingston, Ont. The fifth year slotback led the team in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns in 2010 and was honoured as an OUA Second Team All-Star at the end of the season.
Kicker/punter Dan Village of Abbotsford, B.C., took home the Bob Howes Trophy for the special teams player of the year after he set the team record for career points with 271, surpassing former Queen’s standout Jamie Galloway.
The Gaels most improved player award (Justin Schweig Trophy) was handed out to receiver Giovanni Aprile of Toronto. Aprile had a breakout season for the team, establishing himself as one of the top members of the receiving core. He finished the season with 476 yards receiving and three touchdowns, earning OUA Offensive Player of the Week honours following his performance against the Ottawa Gee-Gees on September 25, 2010.
Fellow receiver William VanRuyven of Port Colborne, Ont., took home the Bill Miklas Trophy for academics, athletics and citizenship.
The final player award, the Hal McCarney Trophy, went to veteran receiver Blaise Morrision of Bedford, N.S., for being this season’s most dedicated athlete.
Sydenham Golden Eagles head coach Mike Love was awarded the Berk Brean Trophy as the high school coach of the year. Love guided the Golden Eagles to their first KASSAA senior football championship since 2005 with a 15-14 victory over the Holy Cross Crusaders. The team would go on to qualify for the National Capitol Bowl in Toronto where they lost a heartbreaking game to Peterborough’s Crestwood Mustangs 16-13.
The annual banquet marks the official close to the Gaels 2010 season and preparation for the 2011 season is already underway. This year’s season kicks off on Labour Day Monday (September 5) with Gaels hosting the McMaster Marauders at Richardson Stadium.
Season tickets for Queen’s Football are available for purchase by calling 613.533.2500.
by: Jamie Howieson – Sports Information Assistant
QUEEN’S FOOTBALL 2010 AWARD WINNERS
Most Valuable Player (Johnny Evans Trophy): Jimmy Therrien
Offensive Lineman of the Year (Orrin Carson): Matt O’Donnell/Dan Bederman
Defensive Lineman of the Year (Orrin Carson): John Miniaci
Special Teams Player of the Year (Bob Howes Trophy): Dan Village
Offensive Player of the Year (Doug Hargreaves Trophy): Devan Sheahan
Defensive Player of the Year (Lou Bruce Trophy): Sam Sabourin
Rookie of the Year (Royal Todd): Sam Sabourin
Academic & Athletics (Bill Miklas Trophy): Will vanRuyven
Most Dedicated (Hal McCarney Trophy): Blaise Morrison
Most Improved (Justin Schwieg Trophy): Giovanni Aprile
HS Coach of the Year (Berk Brean Trophy): Mike Love – Sydenham
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