The Yorkton Regional High School (YRHS) Raider Gridders recently had four players represent their school in the 2012 Roughrider and Senior Bowls respectively.
Paul Toth made the 29th annual Senior Bowl at long snapper and linebacker, while Darius Haberstock, David Balysky and Grey McKen made the Roughrider bowl.
Toth, who graduates this year and will be playing for the Regina Thunder, was recognized for being one of the best players in the province by being selected to the Senior Bowl.
The game, which took place on May 21 in Saskatoon, recognizes the best graduating players in Saskatchewan while giving players a chance to showcase their skills to college and junior football programs.
Toth says the game was a valuable learning experience for him. He was proud to represent the YRHS.
Haberstock, Balysky, and McKen were selected to play in the Roughrider Bowl, an offshoot of the old Top 90 program. Haberstock made the team at cornerback, while McKen and Balysky made the team at linebacker and slotback respectively. Both McKen and Haberstock participated in the game, which was also played in Saskatoon, while Balysky missed the game due to prior commitments.
McKen, Haberstock, and Balysky also credited the Football Saskatchewan experience as a positive one and also wanted to say that they were proud to represent their school on the provincial stage.
YRHS Raider Gridder head coach Roby Sharpe notes that accolades for his players are nothing new, adding, "Every year since I have started coaching we have had at least one player make the Senior Bowl and it validates our program as one of our best players is also one of the best players in the province." He also says how proud he is of the players who made the Roughrider Bowl, pegging them as "players of the future." Sharpe points out that these players accolades serve as encouragement for younger players and teammates as proof of how hard work can pay off.
