2010 Atlantic University Sport Football All-Stars Announced

Courtesy of Atlantic University Sport

November 10, 2010 (HALIFAX, NS) - Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the 2010 football all-star teams as selected by the conference's four head coaches following regular season play.

The Mount Allison Mounties (4-4, 0-1 playoffs) led the list of selections announced today, claiming a total of ten all-star positions while the first place Saint Mary’s Huskies (5-3) took home nine of the available positions. The Acadia Axemen (4-4, 1-0 playoffs) had five players selected while three members of the StFX X-Men (1-7) were honoured.

Leading the list of Mounties named to the squad is fifth year all-Canadian receiver Gary Ross of Windsor, ON, who is an all-star selection at receiver for the fifth consecutive season. Despite missing two games in 2010 to a hand injury, Ross still managed to lead the Atlantic conference in receiving yards (524 yards). He also caught 34 passes, second most in the league, including two TD receptions. Gary, the 2009 AUS Most Outstanding Player, finishes his university career as the all-time leader in receptions (206), receiving yards (3,106), punt return yards (1,981) and kickoff return yards (1,537).

Mount Allison quarterback Jake Hotchkiss, receiver Adam Molnar, running back Matt Pickett and rookie punter/placekicker John Szilagyi were among the other Mounties recognized for their respective seasons. Hotchkiss, a second year pivot from Lloydminster, Sask., led the conference in passing yardage (1,602) while Molnar’s 35 receptions and three receiving TD’s were also tops in the league. Pickett ranked second in AUS rushing yards (452) while Szilagyi led the conference in scoring (62 points), field goals made (15) and punting average (35.0 yards per punt).

Fifth-year cornerback Bradley Daye (Halifax, N.S.), defensive end Ryan Downe (New Maryland, N.B.), guard Mike Filer and tackle Aaron Harper round out the Mounties selected. Daye intercepted a career-high four passes in 2010 while Downe finished fourth in AUS sacks with 4.0.

SMU receivers Jahmeek Taylor and Kevin Walsh, along with running back Craig Leger of the Saint Mary’s Huskies claimed three of the offensive positions, while Taylor, who led the conference in all-purpose yards (1,439), punt return yards (711) and returned three punts for majors this season, was also named the top special teams player in the league. Leger, an all-star for the second year in a row at running back, led the conference in rushing yards with 604, while Walsh, a second year receiver from Toronto, added 357 yards receiving and three TD’s on 24 receptions this season.

Other Huskies chosen include defensive back Mark Holden, cornerback Fraser Vrenjak, defensive tackle Dan Schutte and linebacker Jeff Hecht. Schutte finished with 6.0 sacks in 2010 and Holden’s six interceptions this year tied the single-season mark at Saint Mary’s. Holden also returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns.

Acadia selections include fifth year defensive end Adrian Saturley, who led the league in sacks this season with 9.0, tackles for a loss (11.0) and fumbles forced with three, despite missing two games due to injury. He also caps his university career as the new AUS record holder for career sacks with 21.0.

Other Axemen chosen were defensive lineman Jake Thomas, linebacker Tom Labenski, defensive back Cameron Wade and offensive lineman Wade Conrad. Labenski led the league in tackles this season with 66.0 while Thomas was the top tackler among defensive linemen with 43.0 and also finished fifth in sacks with 4.0. Saturley and Labenski are all-stars for the second time in their respective careers, while Thomas, Wade and Conrad are each first-time selections.

Fourth-year linebacker Henoc Muamba, safety Dylan Hollohan and centre Stu Walsh were the three X-Men chosen to this year’s all-star squad.

Walsh, a fourth year lineman from Antigonish, N.S., was a 2009 Atlantic conference all-star who was selected to play in the CIS East-West Bowl this past off-season. Muamba, the 2008 AUS Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, finished second in the conference with 63.5 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss. Henoc also became StFX’s all-time leader in career tackles this year, with 149.5 in his four years with the X-Men.

Hollohan, now a two-time AUS all-star, had 24.0 tackles and an interception in 2010, and also returned a missed field goal 119 yards for a touchdown in week 2. It was the second longest missed FG return in X-Men history.

2010 Atlantic University Sport all-stars:

DEFENCE:

DT: Dan Schutte, Saint Mary’s (4th year - Red Deer, AB)

DT: Jake Thomas, Acadia (3rd year – Douglas, NB)

DE: Adrian Saturley, Acadia (5th year - Terence Bay, NS)

DE: Ryan Downe, Mount Allison (3rd year - New Maryland, NB)

LB: Henoc Muamba, StFX (4th year – Mississauga, ON)

LB: Tom Labenski, Acadia (4th year – Oakville, ON)

LB: Jeff Hecht, Saint Mary’s (3rd year – Edmonton, AB)

Safety: Dylan Hollohan, StFX (3rd year – Moncton, NB)

DB: Mark Holden, Saint Mary’s (4th year – Halifax NS)

DB: Cameron Wade, Acadia (2nd year – Moncton, NB)

CB: Bradley Daye, Mount Allison (5th year – Halifax, NS)

CB: Fraser Vrenjak, Saint Mary’s (2nd year – Burlington, ON)

OFFENSE:

Centre: Stewart Walsh, StFX (4th year – Antigonish, NS)

Guard: Mike Filer, Mount Allison (3rd year – Brantford, ON)

Guard: Wade Conrad, Acadia (3rd year – Barrie, ON)

Tackle: Adam Baboulas, Saint Mary’s (5th year – Oshawa, ON)

Tackle: Aaron Harper, Mount Allison (4th year – Lloydminster, SK)

Inside Receiver: Jahmeek Taylor, Saint Mary’s (3rd year – Mississauga, ON)

Inside Receiver: Gary Ross, Mount Allison (5th year – Windsor, ON)
Wide Receiver: Adam Molnar, Mount Allison (4th year – Beamsville, ON)
Wide Receiver: Kevin Walsh, Saint Mary’s (2nd year – Toronto, ON)

Running Back: Craig Leger, Saint Mary’s (4th year – Salmon River, NS)
Running Back: Matthew Pickett, Mount Allison (4th year – Hampton, ON)

Quarterback: Jake Hotchkiss, Mount Allison (2nd year – Lloydminster, SK)

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Punter: John Szilagyi, Mount Allison (1st year – Winnipeg, MB)

Place Kicker: John Szilagyi, Mount Allison (1st year – Winnipeg, MB)

Special Teams Player / Returner: Jahmeek Taylor, Saint Mary’s (3rd year – Mississauga, ON)

The 2010 Subway Loney Bowl is taking place this weekend in Halifax, N.S.

The Saint Mary's Huskies (5-3) host the Acadia Axemen (4-4, 1-0 playoffs) to battle for the Jewett Trophy, Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm live on EastLink Television. Saturday’s EastLink broadcast will feature a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 12:30pm.

The winner will advance to the Uteck Bowl the following weekend, hosted this year by the 2010 Canada West champions (Either the Alberta Golden Bears or the Calgary Dinos).

Tickets for the 2010 Subway Loney Bowl are on sale now at the Saint Mary’s Tower front desk.

Note: The AUS football major award winners will be announced Thursday, November 11th.