Nyambiya and Prior named Tier 1 football MVPs
A.N. Myer running back Jeremiah Nyambiya (shown above) was named the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Tier 1 offensive MVP.
A.N. Myer running back Jeremiah Nyambiya and Westlane linebacker/defensive lineman Rob Prior have been named the Niagara Region High School Athletic Association Tier 1 offensive and defensive MVPs in voting by the league’s coaching staffs.
The coaching poll, conducted by BP Sports Niagara, also asked the six head coaches to select the top running back and top quarterback in the league with Nyambiya and Myer’s Ryan James earning those awards.
Nyambiya was a big reason why Myer advanced to the Niagara championship game Thursday against the Saint Paul Patriots. The game will be played at 7:30 p.m. at Kiwanis Field in St. Catharines.
“We are very proud of him for receiving this honour,” A.N. Myer head coach Dave Buchanan said. “He’s everything a coach wants in a player. Not only is he very skilled athletically, but he has the characteristics that coaches value such as hard working, a team player and a positive attitude.”
Buchanan loves what the Grade 12 student adds to the Marauders offence.
“His running ability has brought a whole new dimension to our offence that we didn’t necessarily have before,” he said. “He is a very impactful player and has earned the respect of his teammates and the coaching staff.”
Prior helped lead Westlane to its first championship game in a decade.
“Robbie is a great young man. He plays very hard and is relentless,” Westlane defensive coordinator Brad Martin said. “When he plays, he is always attacking the offence.”
Martin loves all parts of Prior’s game.
“He is very quick off the ball and he has a good game sense and is aware of what the offence is trying to do,” he said. “He has really developed in the two years I have had the opportunity to coach.”
Below is the complete list of all-stars as selected by coaches from the six teams. Each team was asked to select one player in each of several positions. While ideally it would be nice to select league-wide all-stars at every position, BPSN likes the concept of recognizing as many of the talented players as possible from the league. We hope you agree.
Offensive MVP (top three vote getters): 1. Jeremiah Nyambiya, Myer; 2. Ryan James, Myer; 3. Chase Bowden (attends Stamford), Westlane.
Defensive MVP (top three vote getters): 1. Rob Prior, Westlane; 2. Tucker Lynch, Myer; 3. Chase Bowden, Westlane. Also receiving votes were Myer’s Christian Kuriata.
Starting quarterback (league selection): Ryan James, Myer.
Backup quarterback (league selection): Mike Osborne, Westlane.
Running backs (league selections): 1. Jeremiah Nyambiya, Myer; 2. Chase Bowden, Westlane; 3. Colin Howe, Greater Fort Erie.
Running backs: Bowden; Eric Neilson, Churchill; Nyambiya; Howe, Ryan Neudorf, Grimsby; Merrick Spencer, Centennial.
Wide receivers: Darcy MacIsaac, Westlane (attends Stamford); Josh Morley, Churchill; Winfield Organ, Myer; Ethan Van Natter, Greater Fort Erie; Mike Killins, Grimsby; Ethan Podetz, Centennial.
Offensive linemen: Ty Bennett, Westlane; Brendon Neubold, Churchill; Xander DeAngelis, Myer; Erik Timbers, Greater Fort Erie; Spencer Gillies, Grimsby; Sam Gielfeldt, Centennial.
Linebackers: Rob Prior, Westlane; Eric Neilson, Churchill; Christian Kuriata, Myer; Liam Alcroft, Greater Fort Erie; Mitch Sokol, Grimsby; Ethan Cardwell, Centennial.
Defensive backs: Isiah Benjamin, Westlane (attends Stamford); Moses Lougheed, Churchill; Josh Canali, Myer; Colten Harrison, Greater Fort Erie; Brady Beijes, Grimsby; Garvin Leavens, Centennial.
Defensive linemen: Josh Bigelow, Westlane; Frank Woolridge, Churchill; Tucker Lynch, Myer; Colin Howe, Greater Fort Erie; Connor Craftchick, Grimsby; Connor Dinn, Centennial.
Special teams (can be kickers, returners or defenders): Mario Borojevic, Westlane; Dallas Bone, Myer; Thomas Cochrane, Greater Fort Erie; Mike Killins, Grimsby; Michael Thornton, Centennial.
