The Bisons football team finished their 2021 regular season with a record of 4-2 and, ahead of their Hardy Cup semifinal at IG Field on Saturday, the team earned conference selections for their efforts.
Six members of Bisons football were selected to the 2021 Canada West (CW) All-Star team, the conference announced Wednesday afternoon.
On offence, Ryder Klisowsky is an All-Star in his first year at guard. On special teams, Gavin Cobb is a unanimous All-Star selection at kick returner.
On defence, fifth-year Brock Gowanlock is a unanimous All-Star selection at the end position. An excellent defensive unit is also represented with Nick Thomas at linebacker, Cole Adamson at interior lineman, and Marcel Arruda-Welch as a unanimous selection at the cornerback spot.
Klisowsky, 24, is a conference All-Star in his first season with Manitoba. A former member of the Saskatoon Hilltops, this Watrous native stood out on a Bisons line made up entirely of first years. Starting in four of six regular season games and one preseason game, Klisowsky assisted a Bison offence that averaged 159.3 rushing yards per game (4th in CW).
Cobb, 23, is also an All-Star in his first campaign with Manitoba, a memorable one that saw him make an impact on offence as well as special teams. His selection comes as a kick returner, where he was a big part of Manitoba's second-ranked punt return in Canada West (9.8 yards per return). Cobb had 27 returns and led the conference with 250 punt return yards, which included a 91-yard touchdown in Week 2 at Alberta. Cobb also had in-season accolades, being named the U SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week following that game against the Golden Bears.
A note as well on Cobb — his selection makes this the sixth straight season a Manitoba returner has earned the kick returner spot on the conference All-Star team (Michael Ritchott, 2019; Marcel Arruda-Welch, 2018; Jamel Lyles, 2017; Shai Ross, 2016; Jamel Lyles, 2015).
Gowanlock, 25, is a conference All-Star for the second team after being on the team in 2018. In his fifth year of eligibility, the Langley Rams product tallied 24 tackles, 19 solo, and stuffed the rest of the defensive stat sheet, totalling 2.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries (tied for the most in CW) and a defensive touchdown in Week 1.
Thomas, 23, is an All-Star for the first time in his third year with Manitoba. The 5'11", 210-pound WILL linebacker cracked the 30-tackle mark in 2021, leading the Bisons by averaging six per game (4th in CW). The Surrey, BC native also had half a sack, three tackles for losses, and two pass breakups in five games.
Adamson, 22, makes his first All-Star appearance in his fourth year of eligibility. A veteran among interior linemen, Adamson tallied 19 tackles while playing in all six regular season games for Manitoba. The Engineering major also had half a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup.
Arruda-Welch, 23, is a conference All-Star for the second time, previously being selected at the cornerback and kick returner position in 2018. After not playing U SPORTS football in 2019, this would be the second straight Canada West selection for Arruda-Welch, as the 6'0", 187-pound cornerback had three pass breakups, 10.5 tackles, and a tackle for loss in just three games this season.
Over the last 25 Canada West seasons since Brian Dobie started as head coach with the Bisons, Manitoba has accumulated 123 conference football all-star selections. The breakdown is 2021: six; 2019: six; 2018: seven; 2017: three; 2016: four; 2015: four; 2014: eight; 2013: five; 2012: three; 2011: five; 2010: one; 2009: four; 2008: three; 2007: five; 2006: seven; 2005: six; 2004: one; 2003: two; 2002: eight; 2001: 15; 2000: eight; 1999: four; 1998: five; 1997: two and 1996 had one.
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