MVPs Charbonneau, Blanchette top list of Tier 1 football all-stars
A pair of A.N. Myer Marauders swept the top two awards in the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Tier 1 Football League.
Rico Charbonneau was named the offensive MVP of the league while teammate Nathan Blanchette was selected as the defensive MVP.
Charbonneau and Blanchette led Niagara to the Niagara Bowl championship game where the Marauders lost 20-13 to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the eventual Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association champions. The lost snapped Myer’s 28-game unbeaten streak.
Myer head coach Dave Buchanan said the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Charbonneau possesses special athleticism.
“Any time he had the ball in his hands he was a threat to score,” he said. “He had speed, he was a tough physical runner and he had a pretty good feel and vision for the field.”
Charbonneau is a 12B student and is hoping to continue playing football at the post-secondary level. The University of Western Ontario is his first choice for a destination.
“He has the physical attributes to play at the next level, for sure,” Buchanan said.
Charbonneau was also named to the all-star team as a kick returner and running back.
Blanchette was a 6-foot-3, 220-pounder who played defensive end, defensive lineman and was sometimes moved inside for the Marauders.
“His technique is very good and he has a physical presence,” Buchanan said. “He’s strong, he’s quick off the ball and is a very athletic player.”
Blanchette is off to college next fall and will be looking to continue his football career in the Canadian junior ranks.
He was named a league all-star at the defensive end position.
BP Sports Niagara asked the coaches in the Tier 1 football league to come up with a list of their choices for all-stars. Below are the selections:
Quarterback: Jake Swanigan, Greater Fort Erie; Carl Paulemont, Centennial; Josh Thorpe, Westlane/Stamford, Ryan James, Myer.
Running back: Thomas Cochrane, Cliff Witbeck and Colin Howe, Greater Fort Erie; Matt Christie, Thorold; Josh Ferguson and Eric Neilsen, Churchill, Rico Charbonneau and Josh Lisi, Myer.
Receiver: Liam Alcroft, Greater Fort Erie; Lucas Middleton-Mazzone, Trent Hunter and Dallas Bone, Myer; Darcy MacIsaac and Isaiah Maye, Westlane/Stamford.
Offensive line: Eric Timbers, Greater Fort Erie; Jeremy Badgley, Thorold; Matt Johnston, Churchill; Josh Bigelow and Ty Bennett, Westlane/Stamford; John Avery, Centennial; Nick Petrick, Myer.
Defensive line: Cody Roorda and Rob Prior Westlane/Stamford; Nathan Blanchette and Josh Bush, Myer; Zach Bleich, Thorold; Sam Gielfeldt and Liam Lonergan, Centennial.
Linebacker: Lani Babajide, Thorold; Austin Price, Jake Edwards, Kai Gerritsen and Thomas Cochrane, Westlane/Stamford; Eric Neilson and Mike Vendittelli, Churchill; Ben Gichard and Jerrett Heidebrecht, Centennial; Jack Scordino and Christian Kuriata, Myer.
Defensive back: Matt York, Thorold; Adam Luckus and David Stewart, Greater Fort Erie; Matt Nichols and Nate Jordan, Churchill; Isaiah Maye and Isaiah Benjimin, Westlane/Stamford; Ethan Podetz, Centennial; Josh Lisi and Jorge Rodriguez, Myer.
Punter/kicker: Evan Ferguson, Thorold; Nate Jordan, Churchill; John Fitt, Westlane/Stamford; Federico Holt, Centennial; Dallas Bone, Myer.
Kick returner: Noah Domasch, Churchill; Rico Charbonneau, Myer.
