With the 2007 pre-season right around the corner, The Cats got together to acknowledge the achievements of the individuals whom helped put the 05’ relegation into history with a 5-4-1 Division 2 East season that almost led to post-season football.
Former Luton Flyer, Bedford Bombardier and London Met Ray Palmer scooped the top award as 2006 Most Valuable Player at the Cambridgeshire Cats ceremony. The 38 year old Britball veteran came out of retirement at the start of the 2006 season after an 8 year sabbatical from the sport. Immediately adding experience and leadership to the young team, Palmer rolled back the years to play both sides of the ball, rushing from fullback for an average of 3.2 yards per carry and managing 1 touchdown and an 2 point conversion. Palmer also averaged an impressive 17.8 yards over his 4 pass receptions, totalling 141 all-purpose yards. However it was without the ball where he did the bulk of his work, not only as a feared blocker on offense, but also as a superb run-stopping linebacker on defense. Ray amassed 42 tackles, including 5 for loss, and also recovered 1 fumble for a touchdown.
Rookie of the Year honours went to Louis Cooke. Cooke got his start on special teams but the young receiver soon broke into the rotation on offense. Making the most of his opportunities, Cooke achieved 60 yards off of his 3 receptions, not to mention the yards he won the Cats due to pass interference calls, when defenders could not cope with his routes. Showing his special teams value he also made 5 solo tackles.
Offensive MVP awards were shared between first year quarterback Mike Peters and running back Dominic Fox. Peters passed for a total of 10 touchdowns and 1092 yards, with an efficiency quotient of 116.93. It was his elusiveness from defensive rushers that stood-out, only being sacked on 11 occasions. The passing game went hand-in-hand with the run threat of Fox, who despite an injury hampered season gained 1041 all-purpose yards.
Defensive honours went to first year player James Kocherans. The all-purpose Kocherans was exemplary wherever he played, leading the team in solo tackles (38) interception return yardage (148 yards and 2 touchdowns), kick return yards (236) and average punt return yards (10.2).
Offensive Lineman of the year went to Chris Fenton. The third year player grew immeasurably in strength and stature in a short time to become a vastly improved starter.
Defensive Line MVP was scooped by Stu Tinsley. Barely leaving the field, Tinsley’s solid play and experience were invaluable for all around him.
Special Team MVP went to Matt Casey. Handling all kicking duties Casey grossed 32.4 yards per punt, recovered a blocked kick returning it for 2 points and tied a 20 year old British record with an 80 yard kick-off for touchback.
The Players Vote went to multi-purpose player Nate Ashby, who added to his impressive receiving stats (465 yards and 6 touchdowns) with 20 tackles, 5 interceptions for 78 yards and broke up 8 further passing attempts.
The Glen Paveley Award for “Heart of The Cats” was given to the deserving Simon “Doc” Lewis. A defensive end whom voluntarily learned the entire offensive playbook to give the Cats depth in the quarterback position, “Doc” was an invaluable source of medical support for injured players, a level-headed thinker off the field as well as on it, where he amassed 45 tackles (7 for a loss), 2.5 sacks, recovered 3 fumbles and made 1 interception.
The Cats as a whole would like to thank our Game-day team, Peter Baker and John Harlow (Chain-crew), Chris Wilson (Cats Statistician & Historian), and all those other who volunteered time and effort whilst not playing (ball boys and water boys alike). A special mention goes to the Wheal family, in particularly Cats General Manager Paul Wheal, who was very hands-on overseeing our field that was deemed immaculate on 3 occasions gaining the Cats The John Slavin Award for Game-day Management. This joint effort between the Cats, the City Council and the Abbey Complex gained nationwide plaudits as best in Britain, and is a proud honour the Cats aim to maintain into the 2007 season.