The Ballenas Whalers football program held its annual awards banquet to honour the players, coaches and staff who made the 2023 season a success.
The event was held at the at Nanoose Place Community Centre on Jan. 14.
The top awards of the night were the Most Valuable Player honours and they were presented to two of the Whalers leaders on the field, the senior varsity team’s Rohan Barlow, who played multi-roles on the field, and Riley Wilson, the junior varsity team’s quarterback, who also was exemplary on defence.
Head coach Scott Childs said Barlow, who was named to the 2023 BC All-Star Team, was a versatile player that will assume any role he is asked to play in.
His attitude and effort were also an inspiration to his fellow players.
“Playing seven different positions over the course of the season, Rohan set the tempo for us every game whether it be a bone crunching hit, or catching a pass over defenders, he kept us in the game and our success on the field would have been greatly limited without him,” said Childs. “When looking at an MVP player, we always ask the question ‘would our team be the same without him?’ And for this year, without question, our team would have been different.”
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Barlow also won Outstanding Linebacker, Outstanding Receiver, and the Ragnar Award, an award which embodies the heart and spirit of being a Whaler, which is “finishing strong and together.”
Child said they look forward to Rohan’s continued success on the field, as he has signed his letter of intent to play football at the University of British Columbia.
Junior Whalers leader Wilson, Child said, earned the MVP award as no other player had a similar impact on every game.
“There were many times in the very successful season we had at the junior varsity level where we found ourselves in a close game, and needed someone to step up and make a play whether it be on offence, defence, or special teams,” said Childs.
“Fortunately for our team, we had Riley, who was always able to rise to the occasion and whether it be running for a big gain, throwing a beautiful pass, making a big tackle, or pinning the opposition deep with a booming kick, Riley delivered.”
Childs noted football is a team sport, which requires all 11 players on the field to work in unison. The junior varsity team had a lot of players new to the program who learned the game and what it meant to be a Whaler.
“Riley was there to help them every step of the way,” said Childs. “We could not have had the success this season without him, and we’re excited for Riley’s future, both on and off the field.”
The award recipients are:
Seniors:
MVP – Rohan Barlow
Inspirational – Julien Kerman
Outstanding O-Line – Ajay Herrera
Outstanding D-Line – Cooper Todd
Weight room – Cooper Todd
Most Improved – Dallan Etmanski
Sportsmanlike – Vincent Poelzer
Leadership – Markus Neugebauer
Outstanding Defensive Back – Cole Reid
Outstanding Linebacker – Rohan Barlow
Special Teams - Ethan Reid
Outstanding Back – Damon Stone
Outstanding Receiver - Rohan Barlow
Scholar Athlete - Cooper Todd
Ragnar award – Rohan Barlow
Juniors:
MVP – Riley Wilson
Inspirational – Spencer Jordan
Outstanding Lineman – Bennet Switzer
Most Improved – Chris Hunter
Leadership - Noah Silzer
Outstanding Defensive Back – Jaden Dussome
Special Teams – Rowan Hoop
Outstanding Back/Receiver – Tyler Robinson
Scholar Athlete - Bennet Switzer
Ragnar Award – Matthew Everatt
Most Enthusiastic Mom Award– Colleen Jordan
Papa Joe Award – Steve Chomolock
Sean Hines Award – Mike Seselja