The V.I. Raiders didn’t have quite enough to make it to the Canadian Bowl, but they do have a full complement of all-Canadians.
Four members of Nanaimo’s team were named as Canadian Junior Football League All-Canadians last week: quarterback Jordan Yantz, receiver Whitman Tomusiak, offensive lineman Tyler Oldendorf and defensive back Tremaine Apperley.
Yantz also won the Peter Dalla Riva Outstanding Offensive Player award after a season in which he threw for a league-record 3,243 yards.
The Raiders held their own year-end awards banquet Nov. 1, and chose their graduating fifth-year star Yantz as Most Valuable Player.
Tomusiak was selected as Offensive MVP while linebacker Dylan Chapdelaine got Defensive MVP and kicker Mark Mueller received the Special Teams Award.
The other major award, Rookie of the Year, was shared by offensive linemen Jordan Kuziek and Sawyer Barth.
Defensive back Rockenson Angrand got the Jake Cody Most Inspirational Player award, while running back Alex Kutra and defensive lineman Nathan Warawa shared the Most Improved Player honours. Defensive end Quinton Clarke received the Coaches’ Award.
The Raiders also handed out awards to their top performer at each position. Oldendorf, tailback Ashton Galloway and receiver Mike Schaper got the nods on the offensive side of the ball while defensive lineman Shane Stonehouse, linebacker Jon Jones and Apperley were recognized on D.
GRID BITS … The Saskatoon Hilltops won the Canadian Bowl national championship game for the third-straight year, defeating the Langley Rams 23-21 on Saturday in Langley. For the full story, please click here.
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