The Innisfail Pee Wee Cyclones football team had its final wrap-up for the season last month with its annual banquet held at the legion Nov. 23.
Close to 100 people, made up of the players and their families, attended for the supper and speeches that followed.
The team was league champ and provincial champ this year and walked away with the most points for and the least against, explained coach Wally Genz.
“It was a big year for us.”
Genz earned the coach recognition award with the community service awards in October. The team also won the float award during the Innisfail parade.
“People ask us how we’re going to top this and … I don’t know, I guess we’ll have to win provincials again,” laughs co-coach Rob Walker.
Thirteen awards were presented during the banquet including most valuable player for Jeremy Klessens.
“He led the league in touchdowns, sacks, longest kick. He was our MVP,” said Genz. Klessens also took Cyclone of the year, shared with Thomas Layden.
Joel Ray took the leadership award. “The best part is he doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder. He has a huge heart and worries that everyone gets playing time,” said Genz.
Other awards went to Cole Martin for most outstanding defensive lineman; Brandon Bovey for most outstanding offensive lineman; Riley Gagnon and Wyatt Hoffman for most improved; Austin Thompson for outstanding offensive player; Carson Sparrow and Declan Jensen for outstanding defensive player; Bailey Genz for commitment award; and Justin Woodruff, coach award. Berg Thompson, Connor Walker, Kirk Reiberger, Aiden Besse, Braeden Martin, Dylan Trautman and Keegan Mobley shared the tyro award. Thomas Layden also took the senior award and Elek Himer the Kimball warrior award.
Walker and Genz are now looking for interested coaches to help next year with the bantam team. James Thompson, current co-coach with the peewees, will take the head coach title for the bantam level.
“We are looking for people with experience … people who have played at a high calibre competitive level,” said Walker. “We’re looking for people who want to do something with the program and watch it grow,” said Walker of getting football in Innisfail moving forward again.
Football season will start up again with registration for both bantam and peewee teams in May.
“It has been an amazing year and we want to keep it going,” said Genz.
