With the Denver Broncos’ 24-10 win in Super Bowl 50 now safely in the record books, it’s time to catch up on some other football news this week.
Not from the NFL, but instead from the Nanaimo Elementary Teachers’ Physical Education Association’s touch football in local elementary schools. The popular league for bantam (born 2002-03) players was co-ordinated again this year by Doug English.
In the division for schools with a population of over 275 students, the playoff final saw Mountain View emerge as district champion thanks to a win over Coal Tyee. The winning team was coached by Garrick Neumann and the Mountain View players were Sean Clark, Mitchell Finner, Tristan Dorman, Damon Bosak, Jason Depka, Colton Campbell, Haresh Mehta, Brandon Burrows, Bennet Murphy and Ryan McLaughlin.
For Coal Tyee, English coached players Andrew Beaith, Ethan Beaith, Haiden Botrokoff, Aidan Cook, Hunter Cook, Ryker Pearson, Liam Weller, Noah Urbanoski, Logan Goddu, Tyler Robinson, Devin Calliou and Isiah Calliou.
Third place went to Randerson Ridge, coached by Terry Mazzei, with players Logan Arruda, Chase Aitken, Alex McLauchlan, Ben Bligh, Jason Valchar, Kyle Gallia, Ryan Humphrey, Nolen Tomiyama, Nathan Maley and Bernek Aujla.
A separate set of playoffs was held for teams from schools with a smaller population base. In those, the bantam co-ed team from Rutherford claimed top honours. On the championship squad were players Stewart Vandermast, Nolan Pritchard-Wright, Lynden Wellwood, Marcus Bowman, Josh Kahlon, Reid Benedict, Carter Petersen, Justin Harris, Logan Trolitsch, Aidan Collery, Martha Boon, Stella Par, Brynn Nikirk, Ishita Sharma, Stewart Stephen and Ryan Jobe. Coach was Chad Jobe.
The second-place pennant went to coach Craig Dick and his crew of Fairview players Bashar Adamat, Abdallah Auqab, Fenaya Jones, Jeffrey Adams, Cooper McHady, Jordan Corbeil, Darius Jack, Jaydin Charleson, Peter Young and Brendan Wilson.
Cilaire finished third among smaller schools. On the field were players Brennan Moody, Luke Lavery, Owen Peace, Jaiden King, Chase Dixon, Ben Villares, Cameron Whitcolm, Riley Clay, Sam Laidlaw, Adam King and Nate Smith. Coach for the boys was Mike Silverton.
Also this season, a small league coordinated by Annette Noble operated for bantam girls’ touch football teams. In playoffs for large schools, Hammond Bay defeated Quarterway to claim the district title. For smaller schools, Seaview emerged victorious over Cinnabar Valley. On the Seaview roster were players Gracie Alyward, Isabella Baan, Nyah De Pol, Emily Kerley, Olivia Lundman, Emma McNabb, Montana Moquin-Stewart, Keelin Nixon, Ella Ostrikoff, Ella Page and Ceanna Sihota.
Whatever your sport, a reminder in closing to play your hardest, play fair, and show good sportsmanship.