FB | Hetlinger, Reid, Flannery-Fleck Recognized
Canada West unveils Week One Players of the Week
Sept. 5, 2024 – The intensity of Canada West football returned last Friday and the action on the field did not disappoint. After a trio of compelling opening week matchups, including Saskatchewan’s thrilling 30-27 comeback against Manitoba, the conference has announced its players of the week.
Offensive Player of the Week – QB Eli Hetlinger (Alberta)
Golden Bears QB Eli Hetlinger had an impressive start to his sophomore season, leading Alberta to a commanding 33-9 win over rival Calgary.
Hetlinger completed 21-of-31 attempts for 380 yards through the air. Two of those were touchdown connections with Carter Kettyle, coming off screen passes that resulted in 70 and 71-yard touchdowns.
A healthy Hetlinger will be key to success for Alberta, as they look to return to the CW playoffs after a fifth-place finish last season. In five starts last season, the Edmonton native threw for 279 yards per game, the third highest total in U SPORTS. In games he completed, the Bears were 2-2. Without him, the Bears were 1-3.
Defensive Player of the Week – DB Sebastien Reid (Manitoba)
In a battle of two nationally ranked heavyweights, Manitoba’s Sebastien Reid picked up where he left off last season. The third-year defensive back, who led the Bisons with three interceptions in 2022, grabbed two more in Manitoba's opener against Saskatchewan.
The Surrey, B.C. native got things started on the very first play of the game, winning a jump ball after a deep pass attempt from Saskatchewan QB Anton Amundrud. The Bisons would proceed to score a major on the resulting drive, taking a quick 7-0 lead.
Reid struck again in the fourth quarter, generating a pivotal turnover with just over six minutes to play and his team down by five.
Despite the eventual 30-27 defeat, Reid and his Bisons teammates hung tight with the two-time defending Hardy Cup champions and proved they will be a force to contend with this season.
Special Teams Player of the Week – K Kieran Flannery-Fleck (UBC)
Flannery-Fleck started his season on a perfect note, playing an integral role in UBC’s season opening 25-10 triumph over the Regina Rams. The third-year kicker went six-for-six on field goals, leaving him just one shy of a single game Canada West record.
In a tight defensive battle, it was Flannery-Fleck’s accuracy that proved to be the difference. Four of his six field goals were hit from 30 yards out or beyond, including his longest drive from 38 yards.
“To see Flannery-Fleck have the kind of night he did, put a smile to my face,” said UBC head coach Blake Nill after the game. “That was a difference with us last year. We would stall and not get anything. It was nice to see those kicks go through the uprights.”
The T-Birds won in Regina for the fifth straight time, dating back to 2018. They return home next week to welcome the Calgary Dinos on Sept. 9.
Week Two Schedule
More exciting matchups await in Week Two, highlighted by a Battle of Saskatchewan between the Rams and Huskies, as well as home openers for Alberta and UBC.
Regina at Saskatchewan – Sept. 8 @ 7 p.m. CST
Manitoba at Alberta – Sept. 8 @ 7 p.m. MDT
Calgary at UBC – Sept. 9 @ 1 p.m. PDT