Five University of Saskatchewan Huskie football players were named Canada West all-stars on Thursday. You can hear Head Coach Brian Towriss’ thoughts on his All-Stars at the bottom of the page.
Kicker Sean Stenger, running back Tyler Chow, receiver Mitch Hillis, defensive lineman Donovan Dale and offensive tackle Evan Johnson were all honoured for their performance in the 2016 season.
Stenger, a unanimous selection at both punter and place kicker, enjoyed a record-breaking season. The third-year Engineering student set a Huskie single season benchmark with 22 field goals in eight games. Scoring 92 points, he added 2,372 yards on 63 punts. He was twice named Canada West and U Sports Special Teams Player of the Week for hitting six field goals in a game.
Chow, a third-year running back from Calgary, averaged 103 yards per game. He recorded seven touchdowns on 127 carries for 828 yards in the season.
A fourth-year Engineering student from Regina, Johnson, played in all eight games for the Huskies on the offensive line and helped the offence to average 32.6 points per game and 434 yards per game.
Only playing in six games in 2016 due to injury, Hillis tallied 423 yards on 35 catches. The fourth-year Engineering student and all-star and all-canadian from one year ago scored three touchdowns.
The lone all-star on defence, Dale, a Graduate Students student, recorded 24 tackles, three sacks and one interceptions in his final year of eligibility. The 2016 all-star selection (two with UBC Thunderbirds) was Dale’s fourth of his career.
The Huskies travel to Calgary to meet the Dinos in a Hardy Cup semifinal Saturday at 12 p.m.
2016 Canada West Football All-Stars
* Denotes unanimous selection
Italics denotes tie
NAME / SCHOOL / YEAR / HOMETOWN / PROGRAM
Offence
Centre:
Levi Hua / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / Abbotsford, BC / Arts
Justin Lawrence / Alberta Golden Bears / 3 / Spruce Grove, AB / Physical Education & Rec.
Guards:
Geoff Gray / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Engineering
Ryan Sceviour / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Arts
Tackles:
Evan Johnson / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Regina, SK / Engineering
Jeremy Zver / Regina Rams / 5 / Regina, SK / Science
Receivers:
*Mitch Picton / Regina Rams / 4 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Austin Hartley / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Calgary, AB / Engineering
Ryan Schienbein / Regina Rams / 2 / Regina, SK / Kinesiology & Health Studies
Mitch Hillis / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Saskatoon, SK / Kinesiology
Running backs:
Tyler Chow / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Calgary, AB / Arts & Science
Ben Cummings / UBC Thunderbirds / 2 / Abbotsford, BC / Business
Quarterback:
*Noah Picton / Regina Rams / 3 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Defence
Tackles:
Donovan Dale / Saskatchewan Huskies / 5 / Saskatoon, SK / Kinesiology
Jack McEwen / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Calgary, AB / Arts
Ends:
Evan Foster / Manitoba Bisons / 5 / Chilliwack, BC / Arts
Connor McGough / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Medicine Hat / Science
Linebackers:
DJ Lalama / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Graduate Studies
Boston Rowe / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Business
Dan Nesbitt / Regina Rams / 3 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Halfbacks:
*Robert Woodson / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Calgary, AB / Arts
AJ Blackwell / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / North Vancouver, BC / Arts
Jeffrey Propp / Regina Rams / 4 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Cornerbacks:
Adam Laurensse / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Sherwood Park, AB / Arts
Trivel Pinto / UBC Thunderbirds / 2 / Brampton, ON / Arts
Kahlen Branning / Regina Rams / 5 / Moose Jaw, SK / Campion Science
Safety:
* Stavros Katsantonis / UBC Thunderbirds / 2 / Bakersfield, Cali. / Arts
Special teams
Punter:
* Sean Stenger / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Engineering
Placekicker:
* Sean Stenger / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Engineering
Kick returner:
Marcus Davis / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / Victoria, BC / Arts
Shai Ross / Manitoba Bisons / 3 / Winnipeg, MB / Kinesiology & Recreation Management
2016 Canada West Football All-Stars – by school:
Regina Rams – 7
Calgary Dinos – 7
UBC Thunderbirds – 6
Saskatchewan Huskies – 6 (Stenger x2)
Manitoba Bisons – 4
Alberta Golden Bears – 1
You can hear Huskie Head Coach Brian Towriss’ thoughts on his all-stars below.