BONNYVILLE – Another season of football has come and gone in Bonnyville. However, the 2022 season was marked by some big accomplishments.
The Bonnyville Renegades were named league champions after beating the Lloydminster Steelers in November. The league victory resulted in the Bonnyville team hosting Alberta Football's peewee Provincial Championship game, where the Renegades took on the Red Deer Steelers.
While the Renegades did not earn the title of provincial champions this season, head coach Colin Hanusz said hearing that all the team’s players plan to return to football next year, whether at the peewee or bantam level, is the greatest mark of success.
The achievements and accomplishments of individual players on the Renegades and Bandits football teams were recognized at an annual banquet and awards ceremony on Dec. 4. During the Sunday night banquet, 21 awards were handed out along with numerous honourable mentions.
As the event ended, Bonnyville Voyageurs player Nicholas Morgan presented a speech to the players who were graduating from the bantam age bracket and moving on to high school football.
“My experience playing high school football was one of the best and most fun experiences of my life and something I would not want anyone to pass up on,” said Morgan.
Pointing out a disappointing trend affecting higher levels of Bonnyville football, he added, “Over the years, the amount of players playing for the Voyageurs has continued to drop which has led us to have talented groups of players, but not enough kids to keep us fresh down the stretch during games.”
He continued, “More players mean more competitive teams – so I really encourage you graduating players to come play for our high school team and for all those planning on playing with the team, I welcome you on behalf of the Voyageurs.”
The evening ended with volunteer coaches receiving a token of appreciation put together by Serena Critch and Naomi Huxley.
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Renegade awards
Sylas Seward - Rookie of the Year Award
Leighton Amahoose - Offensive Most Improved Award
Emmitt Hallwachs - Defensive Most Improved Award
Landon Julien - Offensive Lineman of the Year Award
Ashton Dierkising - Defensive Lineman of the Year Award
Justin Agbanlog - Offensive Backfield of the Year Award
Tucker Huxley - Defensive Backfield of the Year Award
Hunter Prybysh - Offensive MVP Award
Cain Mahon - Defensive MVP Award
Taevyn Montgomery - Team MVP Award
Cody Fox - Heart and Hustle Award
Renegade honourable mentions: AJ Williams, Gavin Hanusz, Xavian Heyer, Dawson Costly, Easton Swetman, Gauge Carlin, Gabe Cole, Jace Gladue, Sean Mahon, Aiden Tizzard and Ethan Pitcher.
Renegades volunteer coaches: Colin Hanusz and Greg Williams.
Bandit awards
Connor Wood - Rookie of the Year Award
Stryth Tizzard - Most Improved Award
Beau Mallery - Offensive Lineman of the Year Award
Holden Penney - Defensive Lineman of the Year Award
Dylan Mahon - Offensive Backfield of the Year Award
Gabriel Boucher - Defensive Backfield of the Year Award
Sara Fagnan - Offensive MVP Award
Daniel Oman - Defensive MVP Award
Liam Critch - Team MVP Award
Jorja Rowe - Heart & Soul Award
Bandit honourable mentions: Adam Fox, Gabrielle Gratton, John-Mikel Degamo, Aspen Woodhouse, Mark Fersovich and Canaan Richard.
Bandits volunteer coaches: Steve Critch, Brandon Babey, Blake Adams, Robbie Cole and Ryan Fox.
