Picton-to-Picton connection highlights Canada West football all-stars
Evan Daum, Canada West Communications
NEW WESTMINSTER – Regina’s aerial cousin connection was among the highlights of the 2016 Canada West football all-star team announced Thursday.
Receiver Mitchell Picton, who racked up a conference leading 834 receiving yards this season, along with cousin Noah Picton, who set the Canada West and U Sports single-season passing yards record with 3,186 yards through the air, were selected as unanimous all-stars.
The pair were two of Regina’s seven total all-stars, and the only offensive players who were unanimously selected by the conference’s six head coaches.
On the defensive side of the ball, Calgary’s Robert Woodson was a unanimous selection at halfback for a second consecutive season, while Canada West interceptions leader (five) Stavros Katsantonis of UBC was the other unanimous defensive selection at safety.
Stealing the special teams spotlight was Saskatchewan punter and placekicker Sean Stenger. The Saskatoon product was the unanimous choice at both kicking positions after leading the conference in punt average (37.7 yards) and setting a new Saskatchewan single-season field goal record (22).
The conference major award winners will be announced Thursday, November 10, as Noah Picton looks to take home the Frank Gnup Memorial Trophy as conference MVP after Calgary Dinos QB Andrew Buckley won the award the last two seasons.
Fittingly, it was Buckley’s single-season record of 3,162 passing yards that Picton surpassed this season.
Picton is now hoping Buckley, who has moved on to play professionally with the Calgary Stampeders, passes another title his way.
The Hardy Cup Playoffs kick off this Saturday, as Calgary hosts Saskatchewan at McMahon Stadium (12 p.m. MT / Shaw, Access, CanadaWest.tv), while Regina welcomes UBC to Mosaic Stadium (3:30 p.m. SK / Shaw, Access, CanadaWest.tv).
The 80th Hardy Cup is set for Saturday, November 12 with a kickoff of 1 p.m. local at all potential hosts (Regina, Calgary, or Saskatchewan / Shaw, Access, CanadaWest.tv).
NOTE: After review of the Regina-Manitoba game from October 29, Picton’s passing total from the game stands at 459 (originally 447). The season record has been corrected to 3,186.
2016 Canada West Football All-Stars
* Denotes unanimous selection
Italics denotes tie
NAME / SCHOOL / YEAR / HOMETOWN / PROGRAM
Offence
Centre:
Levi Hua / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / Abbotsford, BC / Arts
Justin Lawrence / Alberta Golden Bears / 3 / Spruce Grove, AB / Physical Education & Rec.
Guards:
Geoff Gray / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Engineering
Ryan Sceviour / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Arts
Tackles:
Evan Johnson / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Regina, SK / Engineering
Jeremy Zver / Regina Rams / 5 / Regina, SK / Science
Receivers:
*Mitch Picton / Regina Rams / 4 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Austen Hartley / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Calgary, AB / Engineering
Ryan Schienbein / Regina Rams / 2 / Regina, SK / Kinesiology & Health Studies
Mitch Hillis / Saskatchewan Huskies / 4 / Saskatoon, SK / Kinesiology
Running backs:
Tyler Chow / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Calgary, AB / Arts & Science
Ben Cummings / UBC Thunderbirds / 2 / Abbotsford, BC / Business
Quarterback:
*Noah Picton / Regina Rams / 3 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Defence
Tackles:
Donovan Dale / Saskatchewan Huskies / 5 / Saskatoon, SK / Kinesiology
Jack McEwen / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Calgary, AB / Arts
Ends:
Evan Foster / Manitoba Bisons / 5 / Chilliwack, BC / Arts
Connor McGough / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Medicine Hat / Science
Linebackers:
DJ Lalama / Manitoba Bisons / 4 / Winnipeg, MB / Graduate Studies
Boston Rowe / Calgary Dinos / 3 / Calgary, AB / Business
Dan Nesbitt / Regina Rams / 3 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Halfbacks:
*Robert Woodson / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Calgary, AB / Arts
AJ Blackwell / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / North Vancouver, BC / Arts
Jeffrey Propp / Regina Rams / 4 / Regina, SK / Business Administration
Cornerbacks:
Adam Laurensse / Calgary Dinos / 4 / Sherwood Park, AB / Arts
Trivel Pinto / UBC Thunderbirds / 2 / Brampton, ON / Arts
Kahlen Branning / Regina Rams / 5 / Moose Jaw, SK / Campion Science
Safety:
* Stavros Katsantonis / UBC Thunderbirds / 2 / Bakersfield, Cali. / Arts
Special teams
Punter:
* Sean Stenger / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Engineering
Placekicker:
* Sean Stenger / Saskatchewan Huskies / 3 / Saskatoon, SK / Engineering
Kick returner:
Marcus Davis / UBC Thunderbirds / 3 / Victoria, BC / Arts
Shai Ross / Manitoba Bisons / 3 / Winnipeg, MB / Kinesiology & Recreation Management
2016 Canada West Football All-Stars – by school:
Regina Rams – 7
Calgary Dinos – 7
UBC Thunderbirds – 6
Saskatchewan Huskies – 6 (Stenger x2)
Manitoba Bisons – 4
Alberta Golden Bears – 1