FB: 2019 conference all-stars unveiled
Saskatchewan's Machart headlines unanimous selections
EDMONTON – The Saskatchewan Huskies and Manitoba Bisons led the football all-star charge Thursday, as Canada West unveiled the conference's best ahead of this weekend's semifinal action.
Both Saskatchewan and Manitoba landed seven all-star selections, just edging out the Calgary Dinos who had six players honoured.
The Bisons special teams made a splash, garnering three selections, including return man Michael Ritchott. The fourth-year running back led the conference in kickoff return yards with 636 - more than 300 ahead of the next closest player.
For the defending Hardy Cup champion Huskies four offensive players were named all-stars, including unanimous selection running back Adam Machart. The third-year running back set a program single-season rushing record, amassing 1,330 yards.
Machart was one of seven players who were selected as an all-star by all six of the conference's coaches. Along with Machart, teammate Mattland Riley (G), and Calgary's Jalen Philpot (REC) and Deane Leonard (CB) were also unanimous selections.
Alberta's Jayden Dalke (S), and Manitoba's Derek Dufault (DE) and Michael Ritchott (RET) were also unanimous picks.
The conference's major award winners are set to be unveiled next week, ahead of the 83rd Hardy Cup.
This weekend a pair of semifinal games are set for Saturday afternoon, as Calgary hosts Manitoba (12 p.m. MDT) and Saskatchewan welcomes Alberta (3 p.m. CST). Both games can be seen on SaskTel, TELUS, Bell MTS, and Canada West TV Presented by Co-op.
Click here for channel listings.
OFFENCE
- C - Connor Bergloff / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Arts & Science
- G - Mattland Riley / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Melfort, SK / Engineering
- G - Peter Nicastro / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Arts
- T - Carter O'Donnell / Alberta Golden Bears / 4 / Red Deer, AB / Education
- T - Logan Bandy / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Kinesiology
- REC - Jalen Philpot / Calgary Dinos / 2 / Delta, BC / Open Studies
- REC - Ben Kopczynski / Alberta Golden Bears / 5 / Calgary, AB / Arts
- REC - Colten Klassen / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Saskatoon, SK / Arts & Science
- REC - Macho Bockru / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Management
- RB - Adam Machart / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Arts & Science
- QB - Brad Launhardt / Alberta Golden Bears / 4 / Sherwood Park, AB / Education
DEFENCE
- LB - Ben Hladik / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / Vernon, BC / Arts
- LB - Grant McDonald / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Tsawwassen, BC / Arts
- SAM - Nick Cross / UBC Thunderbirds / 2 / Regina, SK / Visiting Student
- IL - Evan Machibroda / Saskatchewan Huskies / 5 / Saskatoon, SK / Engineering
- IL - J-Min Pelley / Calgary Dinos / 1 / Calgary, AB / Open Studies
- DE - Derek Dufault / Manitoba Bisons / 5 / Winnipeg, MB / Science
- DE - Nicholas Dheilly / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Regina, SK / Arts & Science
- CB - Deane Leonard / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Business
- CB - Arjay Shelley / Manitoba Bisons / 3 / Mission, BC / Arts
- HB - Nelson Lokombo / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Abbotsford, BC / Kinesiology
- HB - Shae Weekes / Manitoba Bisons / 3 / St. Adolphe, MB / University 1
- S - Jayden Dalke / Alberta Golden Bears / 4 / Leduc, AB / Arts
SPECIAL TEAMS
- *P - Garrin McDonnell / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / Parksville, BC / Kinesiology
- *P - Matt Riley / Manitoba Bisons / 5 / Abbotsford, BC / Arts
- K - Matt Riley / Manitoba Bisons / 5 / Abbotsford, BC / Arts
- RET - Michael Ritchott / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / University 1
NOTE: * Denotes tie. BOLD denotes unanimous selection.