FB: 2021 all-star selections announced
Conference unveils cast of all-stars
VANCOUVER - The Canada West announced its 2021 football all-stars Wednesday, with the Saskatchewan Huskies leading the way in the number of selections.
The Huskies, who enter the Hardy Cup playoffs as the conference's top seed with a 5-1 record, had 10 student-athletes selected as all-stars by the Canada West football coaches.
Saskatchewan's offensive unit had seven all-star selections alone, placing a player at all but one position. The Huskies offence was led by fourth-year quarterback Mason Nyhus who finished the regular season with 16 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions.
The Manitoba Bisons had the second most all-stars, with six selections, and were followed closely by the Alberta Golden Bears with five.
The Bisons were led by a defensive group that allowed the fewest points and yards in the 2021 season. Defensive end Brock Gowanlock and corner back Marcel Arruda-Welch were both unanimous selections.
Bisons return man Gavin Cobb was the third unanimous selection from Manitoba after leading the conference in punt return yards.
Golden Bears linebacker Josiah Schakel was a unanimous selection at the SAM position. The fifth-year led the conference in tackles (51.5) and tackles for loss (8).
Calgary Dinos receiver Tyson Philpot was the only unanimous selection on the offensive side of the ball. The third-year Dino posted a conference best nine touchdowns in 2021 and was one of four Calgary players named all-stars on Wednesday.
The UBC Thunderbirds and Regina Rams also had a pair of student-athletes selected as all-stars, with the Thunderbirds boasting a pair of offensive stars, while Regina's all-stars were selected on the defensive side of the ball.
The conference's major award winners are set to be unveiled next week, ahead of the 84th Hardy Cup.
This weekend, a pair of semifinal games are set for Saturday afternoon, as Saskatchewan hosts UBC (1 p.m. CST) and Manitoba faces Alberta in Winnipeg (4 p.m. CST). Both games can be seen on SaskTel, TELUS, and Canada West TV Presented by Co-op.
OFFENCE
- *C - Connor Bergloff / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Saskatoon, SK / Arts & Science
- *C - Logan Bandy / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Calgary, AB / Kinesiology
- G - Rodeem Brown / Alberta Golden Bears / 3 / Halifax, NS / Kinesiology, Sport, & Rec
- *G - Diego Alatorre / UBC Thunderbirds / 4 / Tlajomulco de Zuñiga, MEX / Arts
- *G - Ryder Klisowsky / Manitoba Bisons / 1 / Watrous, SK / Arts
- T - Noah Zerr / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Langenburg, SK / Kinesiology
- T - Nick Summach / Saskatchewan Huskies / 5 / Saskatoon, SK / Arts
- REC - Tyson Philpot / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Delta, BC / Arts
- REC - Jalen Philpot / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Delta, BC / Arts
- REC - Colton Klassen / Saskatchewan Huskies / 5 / Saskatoon, SK / Arts & Science
- REC - Sam Baker / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Esterhazy, SK / Arts & Science
- RB - Adam Machart / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Saskatoon, SK / Kinesiology
- RB - Isaiah Knight / UBC Thunderbirds / 1 / Ottawa, ON / Arts
- QB - Mason Nyhus / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Regina, SK / Education
DEFENCE
- LB - Nick Thomas / Manitoba Bisons / 3 / Surrey, BC / Arts
- LB - Ryder Varga / Regina Rams / 3 / Regina, SK / Engineering & Applied Science
- SAM - Josiah Schakel / Alberta Golden Bears / 4 / Sherwood Park, AB / Business
- IL - Nathan Cherry / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Saskatoon, SK / Business
- IL - Cole Adamson / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Engineering
- DE - Brock Gowanlock / Manitoba Bisons / 5 / Duncan, BC / Arts
- DE - Riley Pickett / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Business
- CB - Marcel Arruda-Welch / Manitoba Bisons / 2 / Winnipeg, MB / Arts
- CB - Brandon Gandire / Regina Rams / 4 / Marietta, GA / Arts
- HB - Tyshon Blackburn / Alberta Golden Bears / 2 / Calgary, AB / Arts
- HB - Jacob Biggs / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Business
- S - Jayden Dalke / Alberta Golden Bears / 2 / Leduc, AB / Arts
SPECIAL TEAMS
- P - David Solie / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Arts & Science
- K - Jonathan Giustini / Alberta Golden Bears / 2 / Calgary, AB / Business
- RET - Gavin Cobb / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Victoria, BC / Arts
NOTE: * Denotes tie. BOLD denotes unanimous selection.