ESTEVAN - The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team capped the 2021 season by hosting their year-end awards program on Thursday night.
Kolby Forseth, a Grade 12 student who played linebacker and special teams for the Elecs this season, was the big winner on the night. He was named the team’s MVP, the Defensive Player of the Year, the Special Teams Player of the Year, and the Player’s Choice Award winner.
He also shared the Who Are We/Bryan Illerbrun Memorial Award with defensive back Mason Mack, offensive lineman Taye Spoonheim, offensive lineman Cole Blondeau, defensive lineman Graeson Nelson, linebacker Bryson George and running back Lucas Rooks.
The Iron Man Award, which goes to those who play football locally from the U10 level to Grade 12, was presented to Forseth, Mack, Rooks, Blondeau, defensive back/slotback Hayden Borhot, offensive lineman Ian Petterson and defensive end/linebacker Andrew Schmidt.
Coach Mark Schott called Forseth “the heartbeat of our team” this season.
“He was a physical player on defence who was all over the field. There were times where he would blitz through the line and then make the tackle at the sideline, which it’s pretty incredible to cover that much distance on a play,” Schott told the Mercury.
As a punter, he had some fantastic kicks, and would often be the first player down the field to dish out a tackle.
“He led by example, he was a strong, vocal leader for us, and he made a significant impact on the field,” said Schott.
JT Schrader was named the team’s Rookie of the Year. He played linebacker, cornerback, and kick returner, and also booted punts and kickoffs during the season. Schrader returned a fumble for a touchdown during the season.
Slotback Dorian Sifton was named the Offensive Player of the Year.
While it was a tough season for the Elecs, as they went 0-5-1 during the regular season and dropped both mini-games during a year-end tournament in Moose Jaw, Schott saw a lot of growth for the team.
“I think what we noticed was our young group developed and progressed in the right way as the season progressed,” said Schott. “We had a lot of youth that were experiencing everything to do with the high school football season for the very first time, and we were responding a lot better as the season progressed.”
The Elecs had some quality veteran players who returned from the 2019 team, and served as good examples and role models for the younger players.
“Hopefully that translates to more on-field success in the years to come, with those Grade 9s and 10s moving into Grade 10 and 11.”
Fourteen players on the 50-member roster will graduate next spring.
Thirty-seven players on this year’s team, including some Grade 12s, had never played high school football before.
“We’ll have a big chunk of our team returning for next year, which is exciting. I told our players during the banquet that … there are many years where we don’t even have 37 players, let alone 37 brand new players to our team.”
There’s also a good contingent of players at the under-14 level who are eager to make the jump to high school football next year, he said.
