Savoie and Correai named NCAA football MVPs
Dylan Correai (5) of Notre Dame was named the defensive MVP of the NCAA senior football league.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish swept the competition and MVP awards in the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior football league.
Unbeaten in league and NCAA playoff action, the squad was rewarded by seeing running back Justin Savoie selected as the league offensive MVP and linebacker Dylan Correai chosen as the league defensive MVP.
“Justin, flat out, ran the ball hard! He was a blue collar, grinding type running back that wore out defences. When you look at his game stats, there aren’t many long runs but he was a workhorse that would carry the ball 25 times a game for 200-plus yards and he was a nightmare for defences in short-yardage situations,” Notre Dame head coach Tim Bisci said.
The 12B student was hurt in the NCAA final and was not available for the Southern Ontario Secondary Schools Association playdowns.
“His absence, due to injury, at the end of the season really showed his worth to our offence and a testament to how good he was. Not only did he grind out tough yards to turn the field, but he kept opposition offences off the field and it really made our defence that much better,” he said. “If he had been healthy at the end of the season, it would have changed some defensive schemes on how to stop us. He was the heart of our offence, a real leader that made everyone around him better. He is such a tough player that I think our guys were a bit deflated when they knew he couldn’t go in our last game.”
Also receiving votes for offensive MVP were Austin McRae from Saint Michael and Mikhael Pegg from Blessed Trinity.
Defensive MVP Correai had four interceptions for the Fighting Irish this season and ran back two of them for majors.
“Dylan really anchored our defence and made it extremely tough to run or pass on us to the field side. He was a big reason why our defence played so well, especially against the run. Our league has three or four real quality running backs and our defence really played well against them,” Bisci said. “Dylan is a big, athletic player with lots of upside. He is fast and physical and has a bit of a mean streak to him. He plays the game smart and understands our schemes. He is a definite next level linebacker who plays the pass as well as he plays the run. He is only in Grade 12 so it is exciting to think of the possibilities with another year of growing and working out.
Also receiving votes for defensive MVP were Dante Benedetti of Saint Paul, Connor Cavey of Saint Michael and Tyson Wong of Blessed Trinity.
Below are each teams all-stars and MVPs where available:
BLESSED TRINITY THUNDER
All-stars: Aidan Sartor; Mikhael Pegg, Tyson Wong, Jayden Gurzi-MacDonald, Wyatt Bezuyen, Ryan Broome and Ethan Rakonjac.
Offensive MVP: Pegg.
Defensive MVP: Wong.
DENIS MORRIS REDS
All-stars: Luca Marcone, Tyrae Klaassen, Lincoln Marsh-Hall, Cole Kelly and Matthew Castellan.
Offensive MVP: Marcone.
Defensive MVP: Travis Palmer.
HOLY CROSS RAIDERS:
All-stars: Joey Martinelli, Noah Kugler, Collin McKay, John Vanderlee and Dylan Vanderlee.
LAKESHORE CATHOLIC GATORS
All-stars: Austin Cracknell Rec./C/K, Justin Mehlenbacker LB, Devon Dulmage RB/safety, Ryen Lacroix O/D line and Ivan Antonucci Rec./LB.
Offensive MVP: Dulmage.
Defensive MVP: Mehlenbacker.
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
All-stars: Justin Savoie RB, Peyton Stegner OL, Garrett Deschambault OL, Dylan Correia LB, Cole Stewart LB, Breton Pearcey DB, Colten Kizlyk CB and Wyatt Brown DB.
Offensive MVP: Savoie.
Defensive MVP: Corriea.
SAINT FRANCIS PHOENIX
All-stars: Cameron Mepham, Sadiekie Hayden, Gavin Paxton and Elijah Jama.
Offensive MVP: Trent Dobson
Defensive MVP: Carter Dmytrow.
SAINT MICHAEL MUSTANGS
All-stars: Austin McRae, Connor Cavey, Lukas Cuthbert, Angel Diaz. Jacob Shannon, Tommy Dallman and Greg Bertone-Doughty.
Offensive MVP: McRae.
Defensive MVP: Cavey.
SAINT PAUL PATRIOTS
All-stars: Adam McBride DE/FB; Jake Costibile OG/DL; John Campbell WR/DB; Phil Hollett SB/DH; Gruosso -LB/RB; De Benedetti LB.
Offensive MVP: McBride and Gruosso.
Defensive MVP: McBride and De Benedetti.
