A team is only as strong as its players, and the Ponoka Bantam Broncs football team has a lot of pretty strong players. They proved that this week, with several individuals taking home some well-earned hardware.
After winning the Central Alberta Football League’s (CAFL’s) Most Sportsmanlike Team for an unprecedented fourth year in a row, the team held their annual awards banquet Jan. 23 at Ponoka Secondary Campus.
Other league awards were CAFL offensive MVP, Westin Potts and CAFL assistant coach of the year, Josh Weilbe.
The Broncs enjoyed pizza and cake and watched a highlight reel video of the season before the awards got underway.
Head coach Todd Lewis acknowledged the people behind the scenes that helped make the team successful including parents, coaches, and 60 local sponsors, as well as their photographer, Sam Leavitt.
A couple of new awards were created this year: the Warrior Award and a new volunteer award.
The Warrior Award, given to a player that demonstrates perseverance through adversity, went to running back No. 9 Declan McLaughlin.
Lewis said McLaughlin played through some bumps and bruises because he knew the team needed him.
The Donnie and Althea Lewis Volunteer of the Season, named after Coach Lewis’ late parents, was awarded to two recipients: Jennifer Graham for her many hours of volunteering and coordinating and Richard Hinkley for being their timekeeper.
Hinkley has volunteered for the Broncs for the last eight years. He also he runs time and the score clock for numerous teams in the community as well.
The rest of the award winners were as follows:
– MVP, No. 4 Truce Beaverbones, SB;
– OMVP, No. 2 Westin Strongman, QB;
– DMVP, No. 38 Talon Graham, LB;
– STMVP No. 4 Cruz Minde, SB;
– Versatility Player, No. 12 Nash Ronnie, CB/RB;
– Most Improved, No. 4 Cruz Minde, SB;
– Rookie of the Year, No. 6 Kaiden Jeffrey, WR/HB;
– O-Lineman of the Year, No. 69 Carson MacKay, OC/DE;
– D-Lineman of the Year No. 69 Carson MacKay, OC/DE;
– Leadership, No. 12 Nash Ronnie, CB/RB;
– Bronc Pride, No. 38 Talon Graham, LB;
– Unsung Hero, No. 14 Hayden Crane, LB and,
– Gatorade Player, No. 11 Carson Frank, HB/QB.
Central Alberta FootballLocal SportsPonoka
No. 11 Carson Frank won the Gatorade Player award. (Emily Jaycox/Ponoka News)
