Most Outstanding Player
*This award will now be determined across 6 overall finalists, 3 finalists for offence and 3 for defence. The finalists double for the Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year awards. Again, I maintained that a player can’t win both MOP and OPOY or DPOY in the same season.
Offensive Player of the Year
RB Reggie Whitehead - Boston Independents
STATS: 17 Rushing Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Rushing Yards
Boston’s offence ran through Whitehead this season with QB Nathaniel Braddock having a down year. The lead back tallied up 17 touchdowns and led the league in rushing yards.
WR Casey Coleman - Louisville Thunder
STATS: 16 Receiving Touchdowns (1st), 1st in Receiving Yards
Coleman remains the top WR in the league, leading the way in both key statistics once again. In fact he had 5 more receiving touchdowns than the next players tied at 2nd (Sterling Underhill [OTT], Taylor Austin [PIT], and Akira Sakamoto [VAN]).
QB Kevin Westwood - Vancouver Wolves
STATS: 31 Passing Touchdowns (T-1st), 2nd in Passing Yards, 7 Interceptions (1st among QBs who started a majority of games for their team)
Westwood was by far the most consistent and dominant QB in the league. Tied the league lead for touchdowns, but threw only 7 interceptions. He also just barely missed out on the passing lead due to not playing the final game of the season.
Defensive Player of the Year
LB Reuben James - London Tigers
STATS: 6 Forced Fumbles (T-1st), 1st in Tackles
James showed that he is one of the best LBs in the league, dominating the middle of the field for the Tigers this season. He was a force, leading the league in tackles this year, as well as knocking the ball loose 6 times.
DL Johnathan Ellison - Long Island Raiders
STATS: 5 Forced Fumbles (T-3rd), 1st in Sacks
Ellison made his mark in the backfield this season, leading the league in sacks this season, narrowly beating out DL Arthur Bradshaw (PIT) and DL Butcher Callahan (REG).
DB Lamar Brown - Montreal Rouge
STATS: 9 Interceptions (T-2nd), 1st in Pass Deflections, 1 Defensive Touchdown
Brown was a shutdown corner for the Rouge this season. He got a hand on most balls thrown his way, allowing very few scores all season long. He also had 9 interceptions to show for his efforts.
Special Teams Player of the Year
K Woody Woodstock - Boston Independents
K Nimrod Handsworth - London Tigers
K Vic Greatwood - Long Island Raiders
K Ray Bough - Minnesota Serpents
Each of the top 5 kickers this season in total points scored all had 35 or 36 field goals this season. K Ryan Perch is the only one of those kickers not among the finalists with a pair of these guys tying for 3rd. The most impressive name here is Greatwood, who spent last season as a free agent.
Offensive Lineman of the Year
OL Carlton Vanderbilt - Boston Independents
Vanderbilt was a big part of the success that OPOY finalist, RB Reggie Whitehead, had this season, paving the way for the star back to pick up yards.
OL Robert Pelletier - Louisville Thunder
Pelletier is one of the league’s strongest pocket protectors and kept the pocket clean for QB Buck Murphy to throw 31 passing touchdowns this season.
OL Elliot Barrett - Montreal Rouge
Barrett has proven to be a consistent and agile O-lineman who helped RB Bo Frazier to another strong season.
Rookie of the Year
DB Oliver Benson - London Tigers
STATS: 8 Interceptions (T-4th)
Benson started the season on the bench, but once he was given a chance to start, he didn’t look back and picked the ball off 8 times, even leading the league in the category at one point. A stellar rookie season for the 9th overall pick.
WR Evan Moore - Montreal Rouge
STATS: 5 Receiving Touchdowns (T-1st among Rookies), 2nd in Rookie Receiving Yards
Moore was excellent in relief for the Rouge throughout the season with various injuries to their WR corps. The 3rd overall pick had a knack for scoring and showed his potential.
WR Colt Robbins - Regina Wheat Kings
STATS: 5 Receiving Touchdowns (T-1st among Rookies), 1st in Rookie Receiving Yards
The pick that was used to pick Moore was Regina’s which they traded to Montreal. The 6th pick then became another WR in Colt Robbins. It is safe to say both teams got their guy as Robbins would score 5 times as well, becoming an integral part of Regina’s offence in his first season.
Coach of the Year
Levi Bray - Long Island Raiders - Record: 9-5
Bray was faced with a lot of pressure going into the season to get the Raiders back to the playoffs. He was able to meet the pressure head on, reforming the Raiders into a major player in the East Division this season. QB Ivan Sanchez had a career year with the help of Bray’s coaching, getting the Raiders back to the playoffs for the first time since the team won the Title in 1970.
Lou Granger - Louisville Thunder - Record: 10-4
Granger has continued to keep the Thunder rolling. While the team didn’t start or finish great, a 10-1 run through the middle portion of the season (the only loss coming in overtime) was impressive. The team captured their second straight Central Division title on the back of a stellar offence and solid defence.
Johnnie Dawson - Vancouver Wolves - Record: 11-3
The Wolves somehow continue to get better with each season. The Wolves were dominant this season posting the league’s #1 offence and #1 defence. Dawson’s football knowledge was on full display as the Wolves cruised to first in the league this season, capturing their first division title since joining the NAAF.
Breakout Player of the Year
DB Oswald Martell - Indiana Victors
STATS: 4 Interceptions
Martell was one of the few bright spots on the Victors this season. His 2nd year in the league saw him pick up 4 interceptions as he was forced into a top spot this season with injuries taking out his teammates.
LB Grover Smith - Montreal Rouge
STATS: 3 Forced Fumbles, 1 Interception
Smith’s first season with Montreal was strong, showing that he was worth the contract Montreal gave him this offseason. He was very reliable in the middle of the defence next to LB Jean-Christophe Bain.
LB Lochlan Bourne - Vancouver Wolves
STATS: 4 Interceptions
Bourne broke out as one of the strongest coverage LBs in the league. Bourne had 4 picks, leading all linebackers in the stat this season. He’s quickly become a unique strength for the Wolves’ #1 defence.
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