The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team commemorated their second season with an awards banquet last Wednesday evening at the Beefeater Plaza.
The football players, coaches and parents were in good spirits as the team celebrated what has to be considered a successful second season. The Elecs were competitive in all of their contests and managed to secure the first victory of their young existence against Swift Current in the playoffs.
Elecs head coach Marco Ricci envisioned a few more wins throughout the year, but said it was a nice feeling when the first one finally did come.
"I think if you would have asked me at the beginning of the year, I probably would have said we would get at least three wins, and I thought we were well on our way even in the first game, but we had some tough breaks, and it was just could to see that we finally got a win," he said.
Prior to the awards being handed out, the graduating players were honoured as the "pioneers" who got the ECS football program off the ground, and Ricci said if it weren't for those players, they wouldn't be where they are today.
"You couldn't ask to coach a better group of guys," Ricci said. "They're the reason why we have this high school football program. It's going to be really tough to see them leave because they've done such an amazing job for the high school and the community."
With approximately 20 veterans moving on, players from Estevan Minor Football's bantam Steelers will have the chance to move into the high school ranks, and take on key roles with the Elecs.
Ricci said that as much as they're going to miss the guys who are graduating, it's nice to have new players join the team, who already have football experience.
"We're very fortunate that we've developed a really strong minor football program and we're going to get a good group of those bantam kids that are coming up so we're excited about that," Ricci said.
When it came time to for the award presentations, the coaching staff honoured two players who won Moose Jaw High School Football League awards. Kicker Kyle Hovind was named league's best Special Teams Player and linebacker Michael Bittman was the league's best Defensive Player.
Bittman was also named ECS' Most Valuable Player, having contributed on offence, defence and special teams. He was one of the team captains and was a major force in the club's win over Swift Current.
"I'm really proud of myself," Bittman said. "It took a lot of hard work and I couldn't have done it without the help of all my coaches. Every single coach has contributed to where I am today and I can't say I'd be here without them."
The final award of the evening was the "Who Are We" award, which exemplifies perseverance and dedication to the team. Corbin Senchuk, Zach Rensby and Justis Grimsrud shared the honour, and Ricci said they were all more than deserving.
"To me and all the coaches, it's the most important trophy that we have because you build your team around those types of players," he said. "They might not be the MVP-type guys but they're the guys who are going to lead the entire team."
Other awards handed out at the banquet are as follows:
Special Teams Player of the Year: Kyle Hovind
Defensive Back of the Year: James Chamney
Linebacker of the Year: Darian Kocoy
Defensive Lineman of the Year: Jordan Reeb
Offensive Back of the Year: Tanner Dutton
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Tyson Wilhelm
Rookie of the Year: Brody Slykuhuis
The Elecs also held an auction during the banquet to raise money for next season. Items up for bid were Grey Cup tickets, which went for $625, a Riders Centennial Book signed by George Reed, which fetched $150 and finally a signed George Reed jersey that went for $1500.
