Holness, Somerville, McPhee named Tier 1 football MVPs
Myer’s D’Angelo Holness (16) was named the defensive MVP of the NRHSAA Tier 1 senior football league.
A.N. Myer’s D’Angelo Holness was named the defensive MVP of the Niagara Region High School Athetic Association Tier 1 senior football league while Myer quarterback Thomas Somerville and Centennial running back Mahkai McPhee were co-winners of the offensive MVP award.
Holness picked up three first-place votes and two second-place votes in polling amongst the league’s coaches to emerge as the clear winner of the award. Westlane’s Owen Lemaine finished second receiving one first-place vote. Also receiving first-place votes were Sir Winston Churchil’s Ty Kostyniuk and West Niagara’s Kylen Azem-Simmons.
A.N. Myer head coach Dave Buchanan described Holness as the leader of the Marauders’ defence.
“He was constantly dominant all year as a defensive end. He has the unique ability to never take a play off. He possesses a combination of speed and power that allows him to cause issues for offensive tackles,” Buchanan said. “He was a catalyst for our defence all year. D’Angelo has the potential to play at another level and is looking to go to St. Clair College to do that.”
Somerville and McPhee each received three first-place votes from the coaches to share the top offensive award while Somerville was the only player to receive votes on all six ballots submitted by coaches.
All season, Buchanan was impressed with the grit that his team showed and Somerville was a big part of that characteristic.
“What makes him special is he has the ability to rise up in big moments and doesn’t shy away from the stress of a big game. He showed that he can pass the ball which was more apparent in the regular season and when things weren’t going perfectly or the weather got bad he could run the ball like a running back,” he said. “In the SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association) and OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) games he played with immense heart. I think he has potential to play a number of positions on the football field at a higher level.”
Myer won SOSSA and OFSAA Bowl championships this season.
Centennial coach Brad Barter described McPhee as one of the most consistent and intense running backs ever seen at Centennial.
“Almost every play, Mahkai was our safety valve. If the last play didn’t work, send Mahkai. Off the field, he was an absolute gentleman. Always willing to help and coach up his teammates and at practice, he always challenged his other speedsters to races during fourth quarter conditioning.”
McPhee had been a quick study with the sport.
“Mahkai only played football the last two years and to have him develop and grow at the running back position speaks volumes to his athleticism, intelligence and dedication,” Barter said. “As a track star athlete, the sky’s the limit for Mahkai and his incredible talents. He could easily walk on to any football team at the next level and get a spot on the final roster.”
Below is the complete list of league all-stars and team MVPs.
A.N. MYER MARAUDERS
All-stars: Dante Damario WR/DH; Fran Dalla Valentina LB; Graham Walters DH/WR; Thomas Somerville QB; Evan Goforth SB/DB; Cade Ivanchuk OL/DL; Mcrory Grant OL/DL; Thomas Alexander OL/DL; D’Angelo Holness DE.
Offensive MVP: Somerville.
Defensive MVP: Holness.
CENTENNIAL COUGARS
All-stars: Ethan Krick; Nick Jokic; Mahkai McPhee; Adam Dawson; Brody Marton; Kyle Buchanan.
Offensive MVP: McPhee
Defensive MVP: Dawson
GREATER FORT ERIE GRYPHONS
All-stars: Xander Boake; Josh Cuizon, Cole Hilmayer; Jack Lunn; John Mathews; Garrett Sauer; Brayden Stoddard.
Offensive MVP: Cuizon.
Defensive MVP: Hilmayer.
SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL BULLDOGS
All-stars: Ty Kostyniuk LB/RB; Elijah Ferguson LB; Lincoln Ralph DT; Owen Cuthbert OT; Simon Marshall WR; John Engel SB.
Defensive MVP: Kostyniuk.
Offensive MVP: Marshall.
WESTLANE SPARTANS
All-stars: Jacob Ranger; Owen Lemoine; Cam Parlee; Ryan Dionne; Anthony Grimo; Ethan Callender.
Offensive MVP: Ranger.
Defensive MVP: Lemoine.
WEST NIAGARA WOLFPACK
All-stars: Xavier Zatylny; Kylen Azem-Simmons; Ryden Lapcevich; Sean Northcott; Nathan Mirza; Kieran McDonald.
Offensive MVP: Zatylny.
Defensive MVP: Azem-Simmons.
