Athletes of today were recognized while the late Ed Hilton was inducted into the Football P.E.I. Hall of Fame.
The Summerside Spartans were the big winners of the evening, with three members taking home major awards.
John Turner was named coach of the year after leading the Spartans to the provincial bantam championship, and he also coached the under-16 girls to a strong finish at the flag nationals.
Turner also created an atom team that finished second in its first year in the New Brunswick league, and he was named as a runner-up for the prestigious NFL Canada coach-of-the-year award.
Spartan Cameron Paynter, whose speed makes him a touchdown threat every time he touches the ball, was named bantam offensive player of the year. Paynter averaged three touchdowns a game and scored four times in the Hilton Bowl championship game.
Teammate Matthew Tanton was named the defensive player of the year. Tanton showed excellent versatility, creating a lot of turnovers with his speed, strength and was a league leader in all defensive categories.
Varsity awards
The varsity awards went to the Souris Wildcats’ Sean Fitzpatrick, who was named top offensive player after leading the league in both rushing and passing touchdowns, while Stephen MacMillan of the Privateers won the defensive honour for his excellent tackling and creation of many turnovers.
The Wildcats, winners of five consecutive Potato Bowls, were selected as the team of the year following another outstanding season in which they remained unbeaten.
Hall of Fame
In addition to the awards, former UPEI coach Ed Hilton was inducted into the Football P.E.I. Hall of Fame. Hilton was in charge during the heyday of UPEI football in the early 1970s, and former players Sock MacDonald and Tom Corcoran spoke passionately about their former coach.
Receiving the induction on behalf of their late father were son Tom Hilton and daughter Kathy Thompson.
The evening also featured an address by former Montreal and Calgary defensive tackle Eugene Belliveau.
Athletes of today were recognized while the late Ed Hilton was inducted into the Football P.E.I. Hall of Fame.
The Summerside Spartans were the big winners of the evening, with three members taking home major awards.
John Turner was named coach of the year after leading the Spartans to the provincial bantam championship, and he also coached the under-16 girls to a strong finish at the flag nationals.
Turner also created an atom team that finished second in its first year in the New Brunswick league, and he was named as a runner-up for the prestigious NFL Canada coach-of-the-year award.
Spartan Cameron Paynter, whose speed makes him a touchdown threat every time he touches the ball, was named bantam offensive player of the year. Paynter averaged three touchdowns a game and scored four times in the Hilton Bowl championship game.
Teammate Matthew Tanton was named the defensive player of the year. Tanton showed excellent versatility, creating a lot of turnovers with his speed, strength and was a league leader in all defensive categories.
Varsity awards
The varsity awards went to the Souris Wildcats’ Sean Fitzpatrick, who was named top offensive player after leading the league in both rushing and passing touchdowns, while Stephen MacMillan of the Privateers won the defensive honour for his excellent tackling and creation of many turnovers.
The Wildcats, winners of five consecutive Potato Bowls, were selected as the team of the year following another outstanding season in which they remained unbeaten.
Hall of Fame
In addition to the awards, former UPEI coach Ed Hilton was inducted into the Football P.E.I. Hall of Fame. Hilton was in charge during the heyday of UPEI football in the early 1970s, and former players Sock MacDonald and Tom Corcoran spoke passionately about their former coach.
Receiving the induction on behalf of their late father were son Tom Hilton and daughter Kathy Thompson.
The evening also featured an address by former Montreal and Calgary defensive tackle Eugene Belliveau.
