With two new teams, there were bound to be some changes to the 2013 All Star selections, but, veterans ruled the day in the 2013 Award Selections. Record setting Sault Steeler tailback Josh Gauthier has garnered five nods this season to join Ricky Clarke in this exclusive club. Gauthier set new single season marks for rushing yards, rushing average, rushing touchdowns and earned his sixth August Kangro Memorial Award (leading scorer) which is a new mark. In addition, Gauthier extended his stand atop the League Career scoring chart to 738 points.
Veteran Brandon Lewis, who also coaches the Sault Steelers, earned his 17th All Star nod on the Defensive Line which extends his record for one position. Lewis has also garnered 16 straight nods on the Defensive Line which is also a record. As well, with Lewis earning Defensive Lineman of the Year honours for a fourth consecutive year, this pushes his Career Awards total to 19, also, a record. In total, Lewis has earned 37 plaques in his N.F.C. career which commenced in 1996. Former Sudbury receiver Dave St. Amour is next with 24 career plaques while Ricky Clarke and Josh Gauthier now have 20 in their careers. Based on the Steelers record team rushing yard performance, they swept the Offensive Line positions which also happened previously for the Steelers in 2010.
Honours are determined from votes from coaches and players, along with statistical performance weighting for all All Star positions and some awards honours.
The Playoff Finalist Steelers lead the way with 9 all star nods. The Playoff Champion Montreal Transit were next with 6 nods, followed by a tie for Durham and Tri City with three apiece, Oakville, Ottawa and Sudbury with two and Sarnia with one. For the Awards, the Steelers lead the parade with 7, Montreal garnered three while Durham and Tri City had one apiece. The Champion Transit will be hosting the Alberta Champion Calgary Gators for the Canadian Senior Championship in Dollard des Ormeaux QC on September 28th.
2013 also sees the continued recognition of Second Team All Stars. The complete listing of those earning honours is below:
AWARDS
Most Valuable Player Josh Gauthier – Sault Also honoured in 2010
Offensive Player of the Year Josh Gauthier – Sault Also honoured in 2010
Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Lewis – Sault Also won in 1998,2002,2010 and 2011
Offensive Lineman Greg Torrance – Sault Also honoured in 2011
Defensive Lineman Brandon Lewis – Sault Fifth time, also 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012
Rookie of the Year Patrick Jerome – Montreal First award for the Transit
(Leo Troy Memorial)
Coach of the Year Chris Newsome – Tri City Third time this award is a tie
(Sid Forster Memorial) Dave Spence – Montreal
Special Teams Player Rickey Clarke – Durham Fifth time, also 2006,07,08 and 12
(Mike Jackson Memorial)
Leading Scorer Josh Gauthier – Sault Record sixth time
(August Kangro Memorial) (150 points, 2nd highest ever)
Championship Game M.V.P. Andrew Blevings – Montreal First such honour
Josh Gauthier – Sault Also in 2007,09 and 10
OFFENCE ALL STARS
Position Player, Team Previous Selections
Quarterback Mathieu Rene – Montreal First selection
Running Back Josh Cuomo – Sudbury First selection
Josh Gauthier – Sault 2007,08,10 and 11
Receivers Francois Bruno – Montreal First selection
Ricky Clarke – Durham 2006,07 and 08
Andrew Foss – Ottawa First selection
Chris Hibbert – Oakville First selection
Offensive Line Dakota Boissoneau – Sault First selection
Zack Kirk – Sault 2011
Drew McBride – Sault First selection
Luke Tenhagen – Sault 2010 & 11
Greg Torrance – Sault 2010,2011 & 12
SPECIAL TEAMS ALL STARS
Punter Tom Bailey – Tri City First selection
Punt Return Ricky Clarke – Durham 2005,06,07 & 08
Kicker Dumitur Ionita – Durham First selection
Kick Return Chris Hibbert – Oakville First selection
DEFENCE ALL STARS
Defensive Line Craig Hodge – Ottawa First selection
Kleevens Jean-Louis – Ottawa First selection
Brandon Lewis – Sault 17th selection
Tyson Vanderloo – Sault First selection
Linebackers John Bain – Sarnia First at this position, DB in 2012
Andrew Blevings – Montreal First selection
Matt Gauthier – Sault 2006 & 2012
Kris Kusch – Tri City 2012
Defensive Backs Ron Ackie – Tri City First selection
Matt Furino – Sudbury First selection
Adrien Kellman – Montreal First selection
Markenson Laguerre – Montreal First selection
SECOND TEAM ALL STARS
Quarterback Rob Green – Sault
Running Backs Andrew Hamilton – Montreal
Julian Shadd Gentry – Sarnia
Receivers Kyle Gauthier – Sault
Patrick Jerome – Montreal
Lindell Merraro – Oakville
Ryan Thompson – Durham
Offensive Line Pierre Absi – Montreal
Paul Archer – Durham
Josh Golding – Tri City
Corey Newman – Montreal
Riad Namani – Montreal
Henrick Pierre Paul – Montreal
Punter Jeff Morris – Ottawa
Punt Return Adam Gourgon – Ottawa
Kicker Kevin Allaer – Sarnia
Kick Return Ricky Clarke – Durham
Defensive Line Andelson Blanc – Montreal
Paul Fraser – Toronto Raiders
Jordan Skerritt – Sarnia
Richard Thompson – Toronto Raiders
Linebackers Delroy George – Durham
Joe Kerr – Sudbury
Ryan Perry – Montreal
Ryan Yantz – Tri City
Defensive Backs Jason Connell – Durham
Dustin Crowder – Sudbury
Pat Murray – Sault
Justin Sauerzopf – Sault
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