Division 2: Awards Predictions
With the regular season officially in the books, and the playoffs just around the corner, we have come to the time of the year where FlagPlus Football hands out their awards for each division.
We have the standard ones like Quarterback, Receiver, Defensive Player, and Two-Way Player of the Year. For the first time in FPF history, this season we are finally awarding a Rusher of the Year award, which in the opinion of some including yours truly, is long overdue.
There are several players who are worthy candidates of these awards. Just like the Oscars, if you don’t win, it doesn’t take away from the significance of what you did. It will perhaps just push you to go even further next season.
Here we go…
Quarterback of the Year
Division 2 is home to great Quarterback play. We saw some names that got their feet wet in Jules Regimbald, Ezechiel Tieide, and Phillip Pelletier. Veteran faces in Jeff Rosenblatt, Phil Cutler, and Chris Rivest, gunslingers in Ryan Kharouf, and Brady Ohanessian, duo-threat artists in Marc-Andre Reeves, Jordan Panetta, and Rocco Christiano, and even a Hall-of-Famer in Tam Vilaydeth.
When looking at a top end QB, you want someone that can both stick to the script and create on the fly. You want a player who is accurate and can also make all the necessary throws while also having the ability to throw people open.
Camping Boutin’s Marc-Andre Reeves is that player. He leads all Div. 2 passers in passing yards (2021), touchdown passes (48) and is second in completions with 184. He is the engine that makes his team go and helps make those around him better.
Winner: Marc-Andre Reves (Camping Boutin)
Receiver of the Year
Every year I feel like this is the most exciting category. This season is no different, as there is no shortage of deserving candidates for the award. Deep threats, possession receivers, crisp route runners, soft hands, and a seemingly limitless catch radius are part of the job description.
Need a first down, a touchdown, a clutch play over the middle of the field, a back of the endzone catch while keeping a foot inbounds? These are the guys that will get it done, because they are a Quarterback’s best friend.
When thinking of all those traits, names like Daniel Mancini, Adam Rosen, Denis Martel, Gucci Omombo, Jean-Samuel Cournoyer, Joey Corcoran, Édouard Leroux, and others come to mind.
The one player that stands on top of everyone is the Party Crashers’ Kevens Clercius. He is fourth in receptions with 39. That’s the only blemish on his record, as he leads every other player in receiving yards (703), yards per catch (18.0), and touchdowns with 19. You can’t ask for more than that from a Receiver.
For those screaming foul due the fact that he is currently a Receiver forth Winnipeg Blue Bomers, don’t forget, that this division is also home to Jeremy Murphy, Ezechiel Tieide, a plethora of current and former USPORTS players, and several members of our Canadian National Team.
Winner: Kevens Clercius (Party Crashers)
Defensive Player of the Year
This is the side of the ball where games are won. Getting stops, making touchdown saving tackles, intercepting passes, recording pass deflections, and shutting down Receivers are the main responsibilities of the players on this side of the ball. As one would expect, it is easier said than done.
When I look at all the candidates, I see some outstanding players. The speed, tackling ability, and reach of Ahmed Boubacar is second to none is this division. The experience, pursuit and tackling techniques of Mike Pierrecin is matched only by his ability to get in the head of opposing Receivers.
The regular season was unique in that there were very few rookies or younger players who stood out. Veterans seemed to be the driving force on this side of the ball. More than a few familiar names put together some solid seasons, in Ethan Makonzo, Sam Anastasopoulos, James Nguyen, Daniel Mancini, and Marvin Renaud among others.
My pick for this award goes to Adam Rosen of the Silent Ticklers. He is tied with Brady Ohanessian and teammate Daniel Mancini for the lead in interceptions with four. What sold me on him, was the fact that he ran three of those INTs back to the house. The veteran stopped points from being scored, while also adding some to the scoreboard.
Winner: Adam Rosen (Silent Ticklers)
Two-Way Player of the Year
Next to Quarterback and Rusher, I feel that this is the most important position in FPF. Having a player who can be a difference-maker both offensively and defensively is crucial to winning.
Division 2 has several players who excel on both sides of the ball, and made their presence felt this year. Look no further than names like Sanders Armand, Owen Bujarsky, Marvin Steinberg Jordan Panetta, Dante Sparagna, and Joey Notaro.
Finding your comfort zone and place on a roster isn’t always easy. Trying to do so while navigating responsibilities on both ends of the field requires patience, drive and dedication. When I think of those three attributes, the one player that comes to mind is Brady Ohanessian of Idaho Udapimps.
The veteran two-way player finished tied for the division lead in interceptions with four. He also led all players in pass deflections with five, while ending the regular season with a more than respectable 17 tackles.
On offense, the multi-time champion threw 47 TDs, which tied for second best in Div. 2. He also recorded 1,847 yards and had a division-high 73.9 completion percentage. Case closed.
Brady Ohanessian (Idaho Udapimps)
Rusher of the Year
Yes, I saved the newest and best for last. This is sometimes a thankless position, but ask most dominant teams like Subzero, The Infantry Braves, and others, and they will tell you that you don’t win a championship without a great Rusher. Generating pressure, pass deflections, causing the Quarterback to get rid of the ball early, throwing it away, or creating turnovers, you need all of those to win.
Division 2 has several players who can do all those things. The winner of this award also can do them and recorded sacks as well which represents the cherry on top of the cake.
My choice for this award is Khalil Agrebi of Idaho Udapimps. While some might point to Camping Boutin’s Emile Descoteaux as their choice given that he has 10 sacks, three pass deflections, 12 tackles, and three interceptions, the veteran doesn’t play Rusher full-time.
When looking at Agrebi, he has more sacks than anyone with 15. What makes that even more impressive, is the fact that he did it in eight games. He also has more pass defections than any other Rusher with five.
Winner: Khalil Agrebi (Idaho Udapimps)
There you have it. Those are my picks for the Division 2 awards. Just to be clear, me picking you here doesn’t mean that you will end up with the award. These picks are solely based on my opinion.
Congrats to everyone who was nominated, and to the eventual award winners as well. As is the case every season, some deserving players will win, while others who are equally worthy will lose. If you find yourself in the latter category, just use that as motivation in the playoffs, or in some cases, next season.
If you liked the article, hated it, or simply felt like I left something out, please feel free to contact me at [email protected], or on the FPF Facebook page.