The ECS Elecs' football team wrapped up its most successful season to date with its annual awards banquet Thursday night at the Days Inn Plaza.
Along with handing out 10 team awards, the evening was a chance for players, coaches and parents to celebrate their third season of play and honour their 17 graduating players.
Defensive end Stefan Seipp, who also played several other positions near the end of the year, was named the team's most valuable player.
"I kind of found it a surprise because to me, everyone on our team is valuable. It's not just about me, but it's about everyone working together as a (cohesive) unit to make it as good as we are," said Seipp. "With all the adversity and everything, guys stepped up and they did what they needed to do and they got the job done. I was impressed with all the players on our team because everybody stepped up in our time of need."
When injuries began to pile up late in the season, Seipp was used at linebacker and fullback. He caught a crucial touchdown pass in a 21-9 win over Swift Current in the team's first home playoff win in over 40 years
"What set him apart was his versatility to play all these different positions," said head coach Marco Ricci. "We know he's not the biggest body, but he was playing on the offensive line. He can play linebacker and play special teams as a long snapper, which is a really skilled technique. I don't think he had one blown snap all year. He's a guy that, if we didn't have him, we're filling a lot of positions."
Seipp, whose father played on one of the original Elecs teams, is looking at playing college football next season. He said his fondest memory from his three years with the Elecs was their first win, a quarter-final victory over Swift Current in 2010.
"I will never forget the feeling of our first win. It's changed me as a person and I'll remember it for the rest of my life," he said.
Meanwhile, it was announced at the banquet that linebacker Elijah Watchman has been named the Moose Jaw High School Football League's defensive player of the year. He also earned the Elecs' top linebacker award.
"It astonished me, actually," Watchman said of the league honour. "I thought there were other linebackers and defensive players who should have got it over me, but I guess I've outplayed them, outhustled them, I've tried way harder, I guess. I just didn't stop and I ran from side to side on the field."
He said his determination is a big part of what makes him a successful tackler.
"I didn't really give up. If I saw a person running, I ran as hard as I could to get him. I don't like touchdowns scored when I'm on the field. It's just not my style. So I just ran down, I hit the right angles and I hit people hard."
Ricci said Watchman was a game changer and that his ability to play a hybrid defensive end role was valuable.
"Elijah's a special character. Literally, they did run away from him. He's one of those guys who can go from sideline to sideline and make tackles."
The other award winners were Brody Slykhuis (Who Are We award for leadership, perseverance and dedication), Kolby Fleury (top rookie), Tyson Wilhelm (top offensive lineman), Ian Ferguson (top receiver), Dustin MacCuish (top offensive back), Chris Strongeagle (top defensive lineman), Jaren Prokop (top defensive back) and Kyle Hovind (top special teams player).
The group of grads includes Seipp, Watchman, Slykhuis, Wilhelm, MacCuish, Strongeagle, Prokop, Hovind, Garett Earl, Julian Rioux, Garret Schulte, Cole Grimes, Joel Pasloski, Eric Arnott, Bryceton Cote, Nick Flegel and Brayden Howe.
Flegel (broken leg) and Pasloski (viral throat infection) both missed the entire year. Ricci called the group of grads "very special, good quality guys" on and off the field.
With several milestones 小蓝视频 set this year, including the team's first regular season win and first home playoff win, Ricci said he is proud of this year's group.
"You kind of reflect and say, 'Wow, we did some pretty cool things this year.'"
