HAMILTON – On an early and rainy Sunday morning, Team East took on Team Halton-Peel (minors) at the Ontario Prospect Challenge and while a number of young players could have been named MVPs, the awards went to William Bradford of Team East, Ethan Bennink of Team Halton-Peel and Malcolm MacDonald of Team East.
William Bradford (#21) with Don Bennett (left) and Geoff Graham (right).
“It feels very good because I was no looking for that,” said Bradford (#21), who won the overall MVP award. “I was just playing my game and that’s what happens sometimes. The game winning touchdown I think is going to be in my memory for a long time.”
Don Bennett, the head coach of the losing Team Halton-Peel, was amazed with the young receiver. “From the outside, he [Bradford] looked like the fastest guy on the field,” he said.
“He knew exactly how to be kind of slimy and slippery and he basically knew how to move his way through and pick at it. I think his average rush yard was probably over four or five at the minimum,” Bennett added.
Ethan Bennink (#31) with Don Bennett (left) and Geoff Graham (right).
Bennink, who was wearing #31 black, was in awe when he won the offensive performer award. “It’s great. It’s kind of hard to believe. This is my last game with the team and all, so it’s really exciting. [The highlight was] the 72 yard touchdown up the right side was crazy,” he said.
“He ran the ball hard. If you watch the game film, he got contact initially behind the scrimmage on basically every run, but he still managed to get yardage,” Bennett said of the running back Bennink.
“His yards after first contact was high during the game, so ultimately that allowed us to really push the ball because his first guy didn’t bring him down so that gave us the opportunity,” Team Halton-Peel’s coach added.
Malcolm MacDonald (#57) with Don Bennett (left) and Geoff Graham (right).
MacDonald (#57) was honoured to be named the defensive MVP. “It’s pretty cool. I mean, it’s a great privilege,” he said. “I have to thank the coaches for organizing this and my parents for brining me out.”
He added that, “There was no real highlight, just the whole game was fun.”
Geoff Graham, the head coach of Team East, was impressed with the defensive play of both teams. “Defense wins championships,” he said. “Very aggressive defensive plays today by both teams. Congratulations to both teams today. They deserved it.”
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