Standouts from this season’s Creighton Kodiaks football team got some recognition last week.
The Kodiaks’ past season may not have gone as planned, with the team finishing third in the league with a 3-2 record and just missing a playoff spot, but the team had plenty to celebrate at their annual awards banquet held at Creighton Community School on Nov. 26.
Blake Alexander took home the team’s top special teams player and top offensive player awards. Alexander, a sophomore, doubled as the team’s kicker and quarterback, scoring more points than any other Kodiak.
“I’ve probably challenged him more than any other quarterback we’ve had in the program, because I’m excited with where he can take this offence with the young firepower we have,” said head coach Ryan Karakochuk.
The team’s “Warrior Awards,” given to players who work hard in difficult roles, were given to Brady Carmichael and Keenan Campbell, a pair of linemen who played almost every down for the team this season. Austin McLean, the team’s leader in touchdowns, receptions and all purpose yards, was named most improved player.
Myles Patterson was named the Kodiaks’ rookie of the year. Karakochuk noted his willingness to learn as much about the game as possible.
“He wanted to learn everything, was constantly asking questions and got better and better as the year went on,” he said.
Brenden Haley and Davin Eastman both received awards as the team’s most dedicated players.
“They were at every practice, they filled water jugs and fulfilled any role that we had for them. In most programs, Grade 9s don’t play as much or play at all. They just practice and sometimes, they don’t even dress. We were lucky to have several Grade 9 players,” said Karakochuk.
Haiden Kanto-Lengyel received the Leadership Award for his presence with the team at important moments.
“He was very vocal in our dressing room and we could always count on him to raise his voice when we called on him,” Karakochuk said. “He’s a quiet player by nature, but when you put the pads on him, he just turns into this vocal leader and key contributor for our team.”
Graduating player Noah Dickens was named the team’s top defensive player after a breakout season for the Kodiaks.
“We’ve had a lot of great linebackers in our program and this player had the most gifts and talent,” said Karakochuk.
The coach also heaped praise on the program’s five Grade 12 players. Corbin Collier, Dickens, Bailey Noonan and Kaylab Ranks were key parts of the team’s defence this past season. One of the graduates, Jaron McDermott, was unable to play this year after an offseason surgery, while three of the other seniors – Collier, Dickens and Ranks – each missed time with injuries this year.
Noonan was noted by Karakochuk for his passion for the game, earning a spot as one of the team’s captains.
“What he did do was give everything he had. He played any position if given the chance,” said Karakochuk.
Dickens, a middle linebacker known for his in-game intensity and big hits, was described as one of the best defensive players in the five-year history of the Kodiaks football program.
“He had lots of moments that I will remember. A 60-yard kickoff return before the half, carrying two players into the endzone in Wakaw last year; a 95-yard interception touchdown against Pinehouse; and a crushing block against Cumberland House against their best player. He let you know that was his field,” said Karakochuk.
Ranks played both sides of the football, suiting up as a tight end, fullback and defensive jack-of-all-trades.
“Kaylab always had a great offensive ability and great size. We knew we had something good with him as he went to Grades 11 and 12,” Karakochuk said.
Collier started the season on the injured list after suffering a ligament tear in last season’s playoff game against Wakaw, but worked his way back into the lineup.
“For our final two games, he’d say he really wanted to score a touchdown. In our last game in Creighton, he ran the ball and he fumbled it. Then in our game against Beauval, we gave him another shot,” said Karakochuk.
Late in the game, Aidan Collard ran the ball back toward the Beauval defence. Just before getting tackled to the turf, Collard spotted Collier behind him, with an open lane to the end zone.
“So what does he do? He pitches it to Corbin, he grabs it and runs in 50 yards untouched. He got his touchdown. That’s something I’ll never forget,” said Karakochuk.
