The GW Graham Grizzlies have earned provincial all-star recognition at the AA football level.
GWG head coach Adam Smith was part of the selection committee, but he didn’t have to do much to sell his players. Their numbers told the tale.
Quarterback Gabe Olivares got the nod at his position and was named the AA Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 1543 yards and 18 touchdowns and running for 505 yards and 10 majors.
Olivares alone was enough to give opposing coaches nightmares, but Von Richardson doubled the trouble, earning all-star honours at running back.
No. 15 rumbled for 1233 yards and eight touchdowns in six games, leading a Grizzly ground game that was good for 241 yards and two TDs per game.
Richardson ran behind two all-star linemen, Jaren Lengert and Jake Troyan.
Defensive back Ethan Mastin was GWG’s lone provincial all-star on that side of the ball, contributing 65 tackles.
Mastin was a two-way terror, adding a league-high 31 catches, 809 yards and 10 touchdowns as GWG’s top receiver.
“Gabe led the province in passing yards, Ethan in receiving yards and Von in rushing yards,” Smith said proudly. “That’s a crazy stat.”