Linebacker Anson Landrie was nearly at a loss for words Wednesday night.
The graduating North Battleford Comprehensive High School Vikings football player received the most valuable player award for the 2016 season during the team’s annual awards banquet.
“It’s been a great time with the team through three years of senior football and one year with the junior team,” Landrie said. “I wish I could be staying longer, especially with how well this season went.
“I’m not sure yet what the future holds for me in football. I might tryout for the Saskatoon Hilltops in the spring, but at this point will see how things are going for me when it comes to school and everything else.”
Landrie’s performance on defence helped the Vikings get to the SSSAD 3A semifinal this season, where they lost to the Marion Graham Falcons.
“This was a huge year for the team and I think that the guys that are coming back will improve a lot from it,” Landrie said. “Now everyone knows what it takes to succeed at this level.
“There were a lot of Grade 12 players on this team and we were all in the same boat early on. It took us a bit to get used to the speed of the game, but we were able to adapt as time went on.”
Fellow graduating players Luciano Jolly and Jordan Delorme also received awards Wednesday. Jolly received the True Viking award while Delorme was named lineman of the year.
Grade 11 student Zach Wolfe won the backfielder of the year award while Grade 10 running back J.T. Lamb took home the undergrad player of the year trophy.
“This is an evening that’s been going since I played for the football team and I feel like it’s an important one, especially for our younger players,” Vikings head coach Mike Humenny said.
“For the junior Vikings, it allows them to see what they can accomplish through hard work, not just on the football field, but also in the classroom and around the community.”
The Junior Vikings also handed out their awards Wednesday night, with Dane Lesmeister (defensive rookie), Zachary Schell (defensive veteran), Zane Florence (offensive rookie) and Tristan Wallin (offensive veteran) all taking home trophies.
In other Vikings news, Hummeny announced during the banquet that Lamb, Apete Tuiloma and Zack Weber will be travelling to Arlington, Texas in January to play on a provincial Under-17 team at the International Bowl.
“It will be a huge opportunity for those guys as they will be playing against some of the top players in the United States,” Hummeny said. “I wish that I could be down there with them.”
