After the second season of nine-man high school football, it is safe to say the program is moving in the right direction.
The John Paul II Crusaders improved throughout the season and as coach Bruce Yockey explained at the team's banquet Tuesday, they controlled their own destiny as far as a playoff berth is concerned.
The team players and coaches have developed into a respected football team in just two short years.
Before the team awards were presented, coach Yockey spoke kindly of each of the more than 20 graduates from the team.
The Crusaders graduate offensive ends Mitchell Baer and Justin Johannson, receivers Jesse Bauche and Calvin Perpeljuk, defensive linemen Jayden Bourelle, Carson Churchman, Jon Shynkaruk and Trenton Clarke, defensive back Luc Piche, linebackers Sam McAllister and Tyler Cockburn, offensive lineman Taylan Cookman, Thomas Fransoo and Brandon Milnthorp, lineman Chris Risling, utility player Adrien Dillabough, Andrew Koberinski and video person Lee Campbell.
Other graduates of the Crusaders also won awards on the night. For the second straight year, Dylan Haaland was named the team's top offensive lineman. Tevyn Williams won the award for top defensive lineman. Trenton Eckel, a slotback and running back, was the team's top offensive player. Dayne Iverson was named the Crusader's top defensive player for the second year in a row. Running back Daryl Kjaargard, who dealt with injuries during the season, was named the team's most dedicated player. The winner of the Crusader Award, as the player who went above and beyond, set a good example and had a great work ethic, was offensive guard Markell Lang.
The team's Most Valuable Player was the quarterback Nathan Eckel. Eckel forced teams around the conference to take notice of his athletic ability and in his second season was the team's offensive leader.
Other Crusader award winners included Rookie of the Year Andrew Mahmood and Most Improved Player James Chipak.
The Crusaders also established a junior program this season with a handful of Grade 8 players competing to the football program. Four of those junior players were awarded most promising junior player awards. The junior winners were Jared Schmidt, Austin Churchman, Jacob Stynsky and Riley Leopecky.
Along with the awards was a great supper to fill the players and their families, a highlight video and a presentation from Valley Ford to John Paul II of $2,580, which was raised through the Ford Canada Drive one 4UR School campaign that took place in September.
The process now begins to start recruiting players to fill the vacate positions left by the graduating players and continue to work and develop the young players who suited up with the Crusaders in their 2-4 season.
