By Jeff D'Andrea

River Riders wrap up best season yet with awards ceremony

Nov 17, 2011 | 9:57 PM

The Prince Albert River Riders Minor Football Association celebrated what might have been their best season to date in their five year existence Thursday, with their season windup and awards presentation.

All the players, parents and coaches from the River Riders two teams, the Pee Wees and the Bantams, crowded into the Ecole Vickers gym to celebrate their achievements this season in the Saskatoon Kinsmen Football League.

The Pee Wee River Riders put together a 2-6 season and had an outstanding output from runningback Jordon Solomon, who had 2,197 rushing yards in just eight games. The Bantams also had a successful season with a 4-4 record.

“The Pee Wee’s had their best season ever and the Bantams tied their best ever season result so in our program, we’ve got nothing but positive things to say,” said Taras Kachkowski, spokesperson for the River Riders.

“Also, it’s been a banner year for football in Prince Albert, even the high schools have done well.”

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Both the Carlton Crusaders and the St. Mary Marauders won their first round playoff games this year and are filled with River Rider graduates, especially at important positions.

Jordan Gabriel-Cannon lead the league in rushing yards with 1,145 for the Crusaders and Marauders running back Bryant Sackney was third in rushing yards with 826 despite only in Grade 10. Both of them are River Rider graduates. Other notable graduates are James Thorpe and Sheldon Charles.

“The results are starting to show up with the high schools doing as well as they have,” said Kachkowsi. “Any article that I’ve read on paNOW or in the paper, 90 per cent of the kids that I’ve seen named for their contributions came from PA minor football.
“No doubt, we are making a big difference.”

The River Riders contributions aren’t just showing up on the field, but may illuminate it as well as the football club has been raising money year round to the Friday Night Lights program.

Kachkowski said the program, put together in honour of former River Rider Max Clunie who died in a plane crash this summer, has been supported well by the community, but totals were not readily available on Thursday.

“That’s something that is very near and dear to us. It is sort of the silver lining to the black cloud that happened with the passing of one of our former players,” said Kachkowski. “In his name, we’re raising funds to have lights in Prime Minister’s Park to have some night games which I think will further raise the profile of minor football in our community.

“Not only will these lights be a benefit to us, but there are also other organisations and events in Prime Minister’s Park that will use these lights as well. There will be a legacy for many years to come.”

Here is the complete list of award winners from Thursday’s festivities.

Pee Wee Awards

Offensive MVP: Jordon Solomon

Defensive MVP: Parker Teichreb

Top QB/RB: Jordon Solomon

Top Offensive Lineman: Joel Borsos, Lance Meier

Top Wide Receiver: Tyler Diakow

Top Defensive Lineman: Parker Teichreb

Top Linebacker: Jacques Levoie

Top Defensive Back: Rilley Pauliuk

Top Special Teams Player: Tyler Diakow

Rookie of the Year: Miranda Bellisle

Most Improved Player: Shaquille Tinker

Max Clunie Memorial Leadership Trophy: Jacob Evanishen

Heart and Dedication Award: Josh Bernier

Bantam Awards

Offensive MVP: Kyle Deibert

Defensive MVP: Luke Tkachuk

Top QB/RB: Josh Carrier

Top Offensive Lineman: Zach Boschetti

Top Wide Receiver: Landon Aimoe

Top Defensive Lineman: Payton Cyr

Top Linebacker: Tanner Pedersen

Top Defensive Back: Andrew Slind

Bantam Heart Award: Quentin Anderson, Ryland Gibb

Most Improved Player: Andrew Byrne

Rod Elliott Leadership Trophy: Kyle Diebert

jdandrea@panow.com