Sowden, Reece and Lewis named Tier 2 football MVPs; All-stars also announced
Greater Fort Erie’s Torrey Sowden (87) was named the defensive MVP of the Tier 2 football league.
Grimsby offensive lineman Evan Reece and Governor Simcoe quarterback Danny Lewis were named co-winners of the offensive MVP award for the Tier 2 Niagara Region High School Athletic Association football league while Greater Fort Erie defensive end Torrey Sowden tackled defensive MVP honours.
“For a lineman to win this award is unbelievable. He’s our true leader,” Grimsby head coach Zack Silverthorne said. “I’ve know Evan and his family for a long time. With his humble, team-first demeanour, he’ll probably feel like he was just a piece of the puzzle.”
He describes Reece, who in Grade 10 was the starting quarterback on Grimsby’s championship team in 2019, as the definition of a true football player.
“Missing Grade 11 (due to the pandemic) was horrible for his love of the game. Getting to 300 pounds, he grew into the offensive line,” Silverthorne said. “He’s the type of player that just loves playing. ‘What you need me to do coach? What bags do we need at practice?’ He is definitely the smartest player I’ve had the privilege of coaching at the high school level. If the gods are listening, he’d look great in a 12B (West Niagara) Wolfpack uniform next year.”
Governor Simcoe head coach Jamie Brophy describes Lewis as a leader in the truest sense of the word.
“He is the first to practice and last off the field. He also holds his teammates accountable for attending practice and encourages the new members of the squad,” he said. “He is instrumental in all three aspects of the game and when the game is on the line, he wants the ball.”
The third finalist for the offensive MVP award was Thorold’s Mark Suntz. Also nominated were Centennial’s Jon Hooker, Greater Fort Erie’s Kaiden Craft and Collegiate’s Connor Hammond.
Sowden’s recognition as the Tier 2 defensive MVP comes on the heels of his appearance at the 2021 Indigenous Bowl in Minneapolis.
“Torrey really grew into his own this year as a football player. He made an impact on both sides of the ball for us and never came off the field,” Greater Fort Erie head coach Dave Sauer said. “He is a quiet leader and a very smart football player. He never complains and was at every practice.”
Sowden is an excellent athlete for his size and that allowed him to play all over the field for the Gryphons. He was a tight end on offence for GFESS.
“I have had numerous conversation with other coaches about the impact he had on the field and his level of intensity,” Sauer said. “We knew we could run behind him and also opposing offences would have a hard time running at him.”
Sowden is in his Grade 12 year.
“If he comes back for 12B, he should be able to have an even greater impact on the field,” Sauer said. “He is just a great player and an even better person.”
Other finalists for the defensive MVP award were Governor Simcoe’s Keyontae Hart and Grimsby’s Tyler Soppet. Also nominated were Centennial’s Noble Arteberry, Thorold’s Parker Lowes and Collegiate’s Patrick Burse.
GRIMSBY ALL-STARS
Chosen to the Cat’s Caboose/BPSN all-star team from Grimsby were: lineman Reece; defensive back Soppet; offensive lineman Jax Hudson; receiver/running back Ryden Lapcevich; defensive end Connor Foster; defensive tackle Daniel Myers; defensive back Treyton Lapcevich; running back Sean Gaka; and, quarterback Xavier Zatylny.
GOVERNOR SIMCOE ALL-STARS
Chosen to the Cat’s Caboose/BPSN all-star team from Governor Simcoe were: quarterback Lewis; running back/linebacker Hart; running back/halfback Ryan Segato; safety Matteo Martin; offensive and defensive lineman Malcolm Perrin; middle linebacker Sam Wilson; wide receiver Alex Reynen; and, offensive lineman Daulton McIntee.
CENTENNIAL ALL-STARS
Chosen to the Cat’s Caboose/BPSN all-star team all-star team from Centennial were Robbie Pereira, Arteberry, Ty Dawn, Ethan Robertson, Hooker, Ethan Krick and Presley Kalybaba.
GREATER FORT ERIE ALL-STARS
Chosen to the Cat’s Caboose/BPSN all-star team all-star team from Greater Fort Erie were offensive lineman Hayden Sauer; tight end/defensive end Sowden; running back Craft; quarterback/linebacker Andrew Beam; and, offensive and defensive lineman Matthew Cooke.
THOROLD ALL-STARS
Chosen to the Cat’s Caboose/BPSN all-star team all-star team from Thorold were: quarterback Suntz; slotback/defensive back Lucas Friesen; and, linebacker Lowes.
ST. CATHARINES COLLEGIATE ALL-STARS
Chosen to the Cat’s Caboose/BPSN all-star team all-star team from St. Catharines Collegiate were wide receiver Skylar Thompson; running back Ben Carey; defensive back Dalton Heus; quarterback Cole Adshead; and, cornerback Jacob Gough.
