The Howe Sound Sounders football team celebrated its memorable season by honouring some of the squad's outstanding performers at the annual Football Banquet on Jan. 14.
The 2013 season saw Howe Sound reach the Tier 2 final but fall to the Moscrop Panthers in the title game back in November. It was the second time in the past three years that Howe Sound has reached the title game.
Rolan Mendoza, who starred on both sides of the ball for Howe Sound, picked up the Most Valuable Player and Dwayne Constantin Memorial awards for his contributions. Mendoza was a dominant free safety on defence and caught a number of big passes as a wide receiver.
One of the highlights of Mendoza's season was the three touchdowns he scored against the Eric Hamber Griffins on Sept. 7. He managed to score touchdowns on offence, defence and on special teams, when he returned a kick for a touchdown.
Graduating nose tackle Adam Stangowitz was also a big winner at the banquet. Stangowitz was named the Defensive Player of the Year and also picked up the Golden Helmet award, given to the player who best exemplifies a warrior's attitude.
Stangowitz also excelled on the offensive side of the ball, making key catches from the tight end position.
The offensive and defensive lines weren't forgotten as Jonathan Hamill also snagged both the Lineman of the Year and Most Improved Player of the year awards. Hamill had a big game in the Tier 2 semifinals against Timbeline in Campbell River on Nov. 2, when he scored two touchdowns off of turnovers.
The Offensive Player of the Year was given to Cam Dare, who was the team's go-to guy on the ground all season long. Dare's best performance came in the Black Tusk Bowl II against Pemberton on Oct. 19, when he scored five touchdowns.
The Rookie of the Year trophy went to Luke Underwood, who fit in well on both the offensive and defensive lines in his first year as a Sounder.
Principal Christine Perkins said in an email that she also wanted to congratulate and thank the coaching and training staff made up of Andrew Stevens, Brent Borthistle, Vince Fecteau and Jim Errington and his family.
