The Manitoba Bison football team is pleased to announce the commitment of five local high school players heading into the upcoming 2010 season. Coming from the 2008 ANAVETS Bowl (Winnipeg High School Football League - WHSFL) 'AA' champion Sturgeon Heights Huskies is running back/defensive back Anthony Coombs, 2009 ANAVETS Bowl 'AA' finalist Grant Park Raiders running back/defensive back Brett Macfarlane, 2009 ANAVETS Bowl 'A' champion West Kildonan Wolverines receiver Kurt Goodrich, 2009 ANAVETS Bowl 'AAA' finalist Oak Park Raiders defensive tackle Ryan Green and from Miles Macdonnell Buckeyes defensive back/receiver Dustin Herda have all committed to the Bisons for the 2010 season.
“All players have come from various school and conferences from the Winnipeg High School Football League,” commented Bison football head coach
Brian Dobie heading into his 15th season at the helm of the Bison Football program. “As we continue to sign outstanding and highly recruited Manitoba players, it shows the growth of the WHSFL. There is now a greater level of competition and talent pool that ever before and we are proud to add these five future Bison players to our program. These players are a great representatives of the overall strength and presence of the WHSFL.”
Coombs, 17, had numerous football awards and accolades during his young career:
• Part of the 2008 ANAVETS Bowl 'AA' Champion with Sturgeon Heights and second in league rushing with 46 carries for 652 yards with 10 rushing touchdowns
• Leading rusher in the WHSFL\'s Potter Division with 1,133 yards and nine rushing touchdowns on 100 carries for a 11.3 average plus first in league scoring with 17 overall touchdowns for 102 points in 2009
• Played for Manitoba at the Canada Cup (National Under-17 football championship) in 2009
• In 2009 season, WHSFL Offense Player of the week for two weeks plus WHSFL Special Teams Player of the week for one week
• Set Sturgeon Heights Huskies single game rushing record with 20 carries for 301 yards plus added three defensive interceptions for one TD
• In 2007 season, first in league rushing with 121 Carries for 929 yards with 6 TDs
• 2007 and 2009 WHSFL Honour Roll plus 2007 Offense Anavet All-Star
• All- Division Team Offense in 2009 and 2008
• 2009 Elite Performance Centres Offensive Award and Defensive Award in 2008
Macfarlane, 17, had a fantastic high school career:
• 2009 ANAVETS Bowl 'AA' finalist Grant Park Raiders and WHSFL All-star Team (Vidruk Division)
• Leading rusher in the WHSFL\'s Vidruk Division with 1,471 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns on 165 carries plus second in league scoring with 13 overall touchdowns for 80 points in 2009
• Named 2009 co-Offensive Player of the Year (Vidruk)
• In 2009 season, on the defensive side: he registered 22.5 tackles 2 sacks, 5 forced fumbles (set new WHSFL record) and one blocked kick
• First Team All-Canadian (All-Canada Gridiron)
• All-Canada Gridiron Camp Best Defensive Back in 2009
• Team captain and Team MVP in 2008 and 2009
• At U-17 Championship in 2007, was the starting quarterback and game MVP against Quebec and captain of Team Manitoba
Goodrich, 17, finished his career at West Kildonan with several honours:
• Led the West Kildonan Wolverines as 2009 ANAVETS Bowl 'A' champion
• Co- led the league in the Currie Division with 12 overall touchdowns for 72 points
• In 2009 season, registered 32 catches for 516 yards (16.7 yards average) with 7 TDs and WHSFL Special Teams Player of the week for one week
• Named 2009 Offensive Player of the Year (Currie)
• WHSFL Honour Roll 2009
• WHSFL Currie Division All Star Receiver in 2008 and 2009
• Captain for last three years with West Kildonan
• Selected as a Member of the Under 17 Team Manitoba Provincial Football Team in 2008 and 2009 and Offensive game MVP Football Canada Cup in 2008 and selected as a Football Canada Cup Under 17 All-Star in 2009
• Nominee for the Sport Manitoba Jr. Athlete of the Year in 2010
Green, 17, had an outstanding high school career:
• 2009 ANAVETS Bowl 'AAA' finalist Oak Park Raiders as he accumulated 5.5 sacks, 21 tackles, one safety and one forced fumble
• In 2009, was named to the WHSFL Honour Roll and nominated for the John
• Potter/D'Arcy Bain Sports Bursary Award plus was also the team's Defensive Lineman of the Year
• Oak Park captain in 2007 and 2009
• In 2007, was named to the WHSFL All-Star team (Defence) and Honour Roll plus named team's Rookie of the Year
Herda, 17, finished his career at Miles Macdonnell with accolades:
• In 2009 season, broke three WHSFL's Vidruk Division receiving records for most catches in a game (15), most catches in a season (64) and most total yards in a season (806) and tied record with most overall touchdowns in a season (10)
• Named 2009 co-Offensive Player of the Year (Vidruk)
• In 2009 season, on the defensive side: he registered 13 tackles, four interceptions and one forced fumble and fumble recovery
• Captain for last three years with Miles Macdonnell
• Made U-19 Provincial Football team as a 17 year old in 2009
• Made U-17 Provincial Football team as a 15 year old in 2007
• In 2008 season, finished as the league's top receiver with 38 receptions for 553 yards and 2 TDs
• Received Robert Whitlaw Memorial Trophy as the John Potter Divisions Rookie of the Year in 2007
Bison Football Notes: The 2010 Bison Football Spring Camp will commence on the last weekend of April and will be run at the University Stadium (U of Manitoba campus) from April 30 to May 2.
