Landry and Genest named Tier 2 football MVPs
Thorold’s Braiden Genest was named the offensive MVP of the NRHSAA Tier 2 football league.
Governor Simcoe’s Lucas Landry and Thorold’s Braiden Genest have been named the defensive and offensive MVPs of the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association’s Tier 2 football league.
Landry, who was named the Niagara Spears junior varsity team lineman of the year in 2024, won the award for the second straight year. Finishing tied for second in defensive MVP voting were Westlane’s Ryan Dionne and Thorold’s Rasaam Hooshmand. Also nominated for the award were Stamford’s Dominic Hunter, Eden’s Christian Hawerchuk and St. Catharines Collegiate’s Lucas Hamilton. Governor Simcoe’s Joey Moore received a first-place, write-in vote for the award from one of the league’s head coaches.
“Lucas is an amazing player because he never takes a play off and he dominates the edge as the game progresses,” Governor Simcoe head coach Jamie Brophy said of the Grade 11 player. “He works on his technique during each practice and actively mentors other players. He is a leader on the field who has grown as a player through his dedication to the program and his work ethic.”
Genest, a Grade 12 student, finished first in voting for the offensive MVP followed by Governor Simcoe quarterback Noah Budgell. Also nominated for the award were Stamford’s Yousef Hamarsheh, Eden’s Brody Payne, Westlane’s Ethan Callender and St. Catharines Collegiate’s Aaron Goertzen. Governor Simcoe’s Carter Small received a first-place, write-in vote for the award from one of the league’s head coaches.
“Braiden is one-half of a backfield that is the heart and soul of the offence. Braiden’s competitiveness is unmatched,” Thorold offensive coordinator Bill McGarrigle said. “He can beat you with his shiftiness or run through you. In the playoffs this year, he put this on full display by putting the team on his back against Westlane in the semis. We couldn’t be happier for Braiden.”
Following are the all-stars for each team in the Tier 2 league:
Governor Simcoe Redcoats: Carter Small, S/WR; Noah Budgell, QB; Lucas Landry, DE; Nathan Van Der Meer, LB; Carter Yates, HB; Ed Palumbo, LB; Joey Moore, DE; Cole Harpwood, RB/WR; Chad Behrmuler, WR/DHB.
Thorold Golden Eagles: Braiden Genest, RB; Tyrese Gibson, RB; Rasaam Hooshmand, LB; Carson DeRoos, LB 5. Lucas Smith, HB/SB; Will Sargeant, SB/S; Jesse Hodgins, DL/OL.
Westlane Spartans: Ethan Callender, SB; Ryan Dionne, DE; Alex Bouck, OL; Abdu Muhammad, OL; Jacob Ranger, LB; Cam Parlee, SB.
Eden Flyers: Christian Hawerchuk; Brody Payne; Stephen Karanfillis, LB; Cole Julian, RB; Brendan Edwards, DE/LB.
Stamford Hornets: Yousef Hamarsheh, QB; T.S. Johnson RB; Dominic Hunter, LB; Nick Hunter, FS.
Saint Catharines Collegiate Saints: Lucas Hamilton, OL; Owen Fretz, OL; Aaron Goertzen, OL: Roman Typer, OL.
