Rebel yell loud and clear at football awards

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Taber Times

There were plenty of accolades to go around at the recent Southern Alberta High School Football League awards ceremony held at Lethbridge Collegiate Institute, earlier this month.

Lots of those belonged to the W.R. Myers Rebels program in Division ‘B,’ as five separate players earned accolades at various positions.

Adrian Tams earned an all-star selection, as well as being Most Outstanding Kicker.

“Adrian was a whole lot more than just a kicker to our team. He was a real catalyst for offence and defence. When we needed something done with a player shutdown on defence or needed a first down on offence, he had a real uncanny football sense knowing where to be and how to read play,” said Adam Hughes, head coach for the W.R. Myers Rebels football team.

“He understands the game very well and had the head of a coach for sure. He wasn’t the biggest or the fastest, but I think he was our MVP this year.”

Dylan Tams was an all-star and also Most Outstanding Linebacker for Division ‘B.’

“I could say all the same things for Dylan, as I said for Adrian. He was our leading tackler. Wherever he was on defence, they weren’t able to move the ball,” said Hughes.

“Talking to opposing coaches, they were all amazed at his play and it became clear to them right away that they had to run away from him.”

Nathan Bennett earned an all-star selection at the running back position.

Always having a gift for running hard, grinding out extra yards after contact, Hughes has seen Bennett evolve from a between the tackles banger to a wider vision.

“He’s made strides in reading the play and making the right cut. In our last game he caught a 95-yard touchdown pass. He sees the field a lot better as opposed to just putting your head down and running over players,” said Hughes.

Hughes praised Craig Avison as the team’s hardest hitter on defence while also serving in the trenches as an all-star offensive lineman.

“He was a real star on defence. People around the league, the media, officials all commented how we had one of the best defences in the league and that was because of Craig, Dylan and Adrian. Everyone partake sin it, but those were three big keys,” said Hughes.

Wyatt Bennett was deemed Most Outstanding Defensive Back to go with his all-star selection.

“As a Grade 12, he was a real leader. He was always a real positive influence. On defence we usually always put him on the other team’s toughest receiver,” said Hughes. “He was our shutdown guy.”

Grade 11 Dylan McMurdo came into his own according to Hughes in earning an all-star selection for offensive line.

“He took a real step forward from Grade 10. We had some troubles with our offensive line because it was so young, but he was the glue in walking it through with the young guys,” said Hughes. “His strength was run blocking, being a thick, solid kid which is something you need playing football.”

The handful of all-star selections capped off a gridiron season which sees Hughes hopeful in making even more inroads for a hugely successful 2013-2104 season next year.

“Three of our all-stars were Grade 11s which makes it pretty unique. We had a 4-4 record which was pretty respectful and we held in there against teams that were supposed to be a lot better than us so it was a real positive year,” said Hughes. “We are really looking forward to next year where we see it as a peak year with the Grade 12s that we have and Grade 11s coming back that will be matured. We’re really looking forward to it.”