Bonnyville Voyageurs celebrate achievements at banquet

Bonnyville Voyageurs players were celebrated for their achievements on the football field this Friday. 

The Bonnyville Voyageurs celebrated the best of the 2019 football season on Friday at their annual awards banquet.

Ten players were recognized for their strong play on offense, defense, and special teams while displaying their commitment to the team at the banquet.

Here is the list of winners:

Special Teams Player: Mason Ward

Rookie of the Year: Duncan Critch

Most Improved: Jayden House

Defensive Front-Seven: John Neumann

Defensive Player: Josh Morgan

Offensive Line: Brendan Smith/Dakota Gladue

Offensive Player: Brodie Gamble

Offensive MVP: Myles Debler

Defensive MVP: Brady Christians

Season wrapped up

The Voyageurs went 4-2 in Wheatland Football League play during the regular season, which included defeating Lakeland rivals Cold Lake Royals and St. Paul Lions and a one-point loss to the Lloydminster Comp. Barons.

At the Scott MacDonald Memorial, the Voyageurs gutted out a 14-13 victory in what coach Larry Godziuk called one of the emotional games he’s coached, against a Tier I squad from Fort McMurray.

Injuries caught up to the football team by the end of the season, as the Voyageurs forfeited their final regular-season game heading into playoffs.

In the league semifinals, the Holy Rosary Raiders shutout the Voyageurs 33-0, en route to a Provincial silver medal.

Numbers never lie

Duncan Critch led the team in rushing yards in his first season averaging almost eight yards a carry with 616 yards on 78 attempts.

Quarterback Miles Debler threw for 908 yards and 12 touchdowns behind centre. He also rushed for three touchdowns.

Mason Ward earned the most receiving yards with 278 and Brodie Gamble had the most receptions with 16.

Critch lead the team in tackles with 28 and interceptions with three.

Defensive MVP Brady Christians had 24 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

Kelton Mcauley scored the lone defensive touchdown this season while recovering three fumbles.

On special teams, Mason Sartain scored a 102-yard touchdown on the kick return for the longest runback of the year.