The Olds High School Spartans football team hosted its annual banquet and awards ceremony last week, highlighting some of the accomplishments of the team's players this season.
George Grant, head coach of the team, said while the roster wasn't as full as he would have liked, he was still pleased with the season.
“We didn't have as many bodies as we would like to have had, but the guys that came (out) each brought a unique personality to the team that has left a fingerprint on this program that is going to last for many years. These guys are not going to be soon forgotten,” he said.
Grant said the players this year showed a level of commitment to practice that hasn't always been there in the past.
Grant is optimistic for 2012 as there were several members of the team this year who gained valuable experience as Grade 10 players and will be looked to for leadership.
“We only have a few of the Grade 11s that are moving up to that senior role, so we're going to expect an awful lot of leadership (from this year's rookies). Hopefully, we can continue adapting our play calls to exploit their strengths and their personality out on the field,” he said.
Grant said this year's team Most Valuable Player exemplified effort and determination to succeed. Zach Wild was chosen by the coaching staff because he always gave good effort in practice and strove for perfection, wanting to catch every pass.
Wild said he was surprised to be named MVP when there were so many players on the team who could have gotten the nod.
“I feel it was a great honour. I'm extremely proud to be recognized by my fellow teammates who deserve it just as much as I do, because without them I would not have been able to do what I did,” he said.
Wild, a Grade 11 student, said he learned a lot from the senior players on the team during the year – namely that keeping calm under pressure is necessary to succeed.
“I learned that humility is extremely important and that you need to keep a calm head before you act in any way,” he said.
Wild said with the players that are eligible to return next year, the Spartans should do well. The Spartans finished with a 4-4 record in 2011 after it was determined that in two of their victories they had used exchange students who were too old to compete in the league and had to forfeit those wins.
“I think we have the potential to go as far, if not farther than this year, and I'm looking forward to the new guys coming out and seeing what we get,” he said.
Other players who were honoured last week for their efforts this season included: Clint Armitage and Rhett Couture as the top offensive players; Dennis Lawrence and Carl Haubrich as the top linemen; Josh Hammer and Austin Lappage as the most outstanding players; Tyler Neilsen as the defensive player of the year; and Quade Smith as the rookie of the year.
"I feel it was a great honour. I'm extremely proud to be recognized by my fellow teammates who deserve it just as much as I do, because without them I would not have been able to do what I did."Zach Wild, 2011 MVP, OHS Spartans football team
