Jordin Rusnack is one of the key pieces of the Yorkton Regional High School Raiders football team that won the Moose Jaw High School Football League championship last weekend.
The quarterback is only in grade 11, but his dominance and control on the football field stands out unlike anyone else in the league.
On Saturday afternoon the Raiders faced the Swift Current Colts in the league championship at Kinsmen Century Field. At half time of the game, the league awards were handed out, and Rusnack got his fair share of recognition.
Firstly, he was named the league’s punting leader with 13 punts, averaging 36.1 yards per punt.
He was next awarded the league scoring leader. Rusnack scored 82 points for the Raiders with six touchdowns, four field goals and 34 converts.
Finally, and most notably, Rusnack was the recipient of the league MVP award. The quarterback/place kicker/punter was the leader in the league in scoring, first in punting average and second in the league with passing yards (1285 yards on 70 completions, totaling 63.3% and averaging 18.4 yards per catch).
Rusnack was, of course, thrilled to win the award.
“It means a lot. It’s my grade 11 year, so I still have another year. I didn’t expect it too much. But it felt really good to get,” he said.
But he said he couldn’t have done all he’s done without the rest of the team.
“The boys supported me throughout the season and I have to give credit to the team,” he added.
Raiders’ offensive coordinator Jason Boyda said it’s rare to see a grade 11 win the league MVP award, but it’s not surprising that it went to Rusnack because of the season he’s had.
“Usually it’s a grade 12 kid that wins it, because they’ve got a little bit more maturity, they’re a little bit bigger, stronger, faster, more football IQ,” he explained. “But because it’s him, it’s not a surprise.”
The coach added that Rusnack has put in a lot of work to get to where he is today.
“It’s not just during the football season, but in the off season as well. Whether it’s weight training, going to camps, coming to winter workouts and things along those lines,” he said. “He’s the epitome of our program.”
Boyda said the award is not only great for Rusnack on a personal level, but for the entire Yorkton football program as well.
“It just speaks volumes of what we’re trying to do here with football in Yorkton,” he said.
Mandziuk
In addition to Rusnack’s wins, Raiders receiver/safety Matthew Mandziuk received some recognition at the awards ceremony as well.
Mandziuk led the league in receiving yardage with 591 yards in 33 receptions, for an average of 17.9 yards per reception.
He was also nominated for the league defensive MVP award.
