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Falcons celebrate their first season.
The Leicester Falcons celebrated
their inaugural competitive season in the British American Football League with
their MVP Awards Evening held at Jongleurs in Leicester on Sunday evening.
Overall team MVP and Offensive
MVP went to star running back Rich Davis who amassed over 1000 yards rushing on
the season. Mr Davis heaped praise upon the offensive line for their
outstanding blocking throughout the season.
Defensive MVP went to Phillip
Stansfield who had an outstanding season at his new position of defensive after
being switched from linebacker.
Stansfield
lead the team in quarterback sacks with 6.5.
Special Teams MVP went to Chris
Rodrigo for his kick and punt return efforts this year.
Lineman of the Year went to Chris
Gorman who anchored the left tackle spot, giving up no sacks this year and
helping pave the way for the Falcon’s running backs. Chris was also
instrumental in calling the correct blocking assignments for rookie linemen who
played alongside him all year.
Honourable
mention should be made to Ian Morgan who lead the offensive line at center
after switching from defensive tackle earlier in the season as well as Andy
Brown who was an immense run stopper in the middle of the defensive line
controlling the A gaps and allowing the linebackers to roam free and make
tackles.
The Most Improved Player Award
went to Stefan Brooks. The rookie kicker and punter finished the season strongly
and consistently Leicester in good field position with his kick-offs and punts.
Players Player of the Year was
nabbed by the ever popular Chris Jagger who won by a single vote over his
nearest rival. Another rookie to the game, Chris was at every practice and most
team social events and was a solid contributor to the team out on the field
playing linebacker and defensive line as the season went on.
Mr Falcon 2008 was awarded to
Martin Palfrey. Martin had originally joined the team as a receiver but an
injury meant he couldn’t play this season, however he still kept himself
involved with the team as game day assistant and chief water engineer making
sure the players were hydrated at practice and on game day. He will be hard to
replace next year as he makes a return to the field. Statistician Steve
Stafford and injured players Rob Shaw and Joel Pearson were three others in the
running for this award for their contributions in helping the team through its
inaugural season.
The players also presented club treasurer / secretary /
kit washer / administrator Kate Grimbly with a bouquet of flowers for all her
hard work.
Falcons Management would like to
thank all those players and front office staff who helped make 2008 a success
for the Club and is looking forward to 2009 with the goal of winning the BAFL2
Championship Game in Doncaster at BritBowl XXIII.
Guy Kersey said, “The evening was a great success and
shows just how close this club is and the drive and enthusiasm for 2009 is
incredible. It’s also great to have the chance to have a beer and talk through
the stories of the year just gone with the guys. It’s also great to celebrate
some fantastic accomplishments from our rookie year”
The Evening had followed a successful second testing
session that was held at another one of the Falcons sponsors David Lloyd
Fitness. The testing day was to ascertain how well the Falcons have been
progressing with their off season weights and conditioning programme.
There was also an opportunity for the Falcons to
welcome any potential new recruits to the team
The Falcons will be training at “the Dome” from 11th
January until the end of March, Sundays at 2:30pm, all are welcome to come down
and have Coach Hopewell and his team put them through their paces, both
experienced and rookies.
For more information please take a look at the www.leicesterfalcons.co.uk or call
Coach Hopewell on 07821 094095
Or
Guy Kersey on 07976 762983