Succar, Gilbert and Melnyk named NCAA football MVPs
Notre Dame running back Jacob Sucar (11) has been named the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association football league’s offensive MVP for the second straight year.
Dynamic Notre Dame running back Jacob Succar has been chosen as the offensive MVP of the Niagara Catholic Athletic Association senior football league.
“Jacob Succar is well deserving of his award. I think that he is the most dynamic player in the league,” Notre Dame head coach Tim Bisci said. “Being named offensive MVP two years in a row in our league is a big accomplishment. He is well deserving of the accolades he has received.”
Also nominated for the offensive MVP award were Saint Paul running back Jarrel Pappin, Saint Michael quarterback Jared Schlueter and Saint Francis running back/wide receiver Quinton Duemo.
Sharing the defensive MVP award were Notre Dame middle linebacker Zack Melnyk and Saint Michael defensive end Carson Gilbert.
“Zack Melnyk has been a leader of our team all season,” Bisci said. “He is a big, strong kid and he plays hard nose football all game. He plays his best in big games and is the type of kid you want on your team. He is all heart when he plays and has a strong passion for the game.”
This season, Saint Michael’s Gilbert was moved to defensive end from linebacker.
“Many U Sport coaches and recruiters were looking at him as a defensive lineman anyways, so we thought it would be win-win,” Saint Michael defensive coordinator Mark Antonelli said.
Gilbert shone in the new role.
“He accepted the challenge and it really raised his own personal game,” Antonelli said. “With Carson anchoring our defensive line, teams had to really work hard and game plan to run the ball effectively on first down.
“In passing situations, he was always able to generate a pass rush to force errant throws by many quarterbacks.”
Also nominated for defensive MVP honours were Saint Paul linebacker Rielly Sexton and St. Francis linebacker John Kunej.
Named to the all-star team from the NCAA champion and unbeaten Notre Dame Fighting Irish were: Succar; Melnyk; offensive and defensive linemen Gerrid Holton and Tyrone Webber; linebackers Jacob MacLaughlan and Dylan Backos; defensive back Jacob Snider; wide receiver/defensive back Jarod Tessier; and, defensive end Alex Goulbourne.
Named to the team from the NCAA finalist Saint Michael Mustangs were: Gilbert; Schlueter; linebackers Gabriel and Caleb Hetherington; defensive end Kemuel Jones; defensive back Matt Wedler; and, kicker/receiver Noah Wilson.
Selected for the squad from the Saint Paul Patriots were: Pappin; Sexton; quarterback Devon Schiller-Cleveland; defensive end/running back Marley McCray; defensive back/running back Enzey Youyoute; centre/nose tackle Logan McNeil; and, offensive and defensive linemen Jesse Murphy and Ryan Danecker.
Named to the all-star team from semifinalist St. Francis were: Duemo; Kunej; wide receiver/defensive back Favor Iranoula; quarterback Ethan Reid; and, Andrew Mella.
Earning all-star nods from semifinalist Blessed Trinity were: offensive and defensive tackle Dillon Todd; slotback/linebacker Owen Jones; and, running back/linebacker Corbin Paterson.
Getting the all-star nod from the Holy Cross Raiders were: running back Christian Bradley; offensive and defensive linemen Zach Bechard and Sean Nelson; and, wide receiver/linebacker Riley Lyons.
Earning all-star recognition from the Lakeshore Catholic Gators were: defensive back/running back Aiden Atkins; defensive end/linebacker/fullback/centre Connor Ryerse; defensive tackle/offensive tackle Trevor Harrington; and, quarterback Elijah Lovegrove.
Each coach in the league was asked to select their own all-stars with top-ranked teams allocated more selections. Coaches were also asked to nominate a player from any team for the offensive and defensive MVP awards and then the head coaches voted for the awards.
