Niko Defonte:
K – Oak Park: Yes, we have a kicker on the list.
Fact is, without Brady Oliveira this season, the Raiders won’t
win without him. Defonte is the best kicker in the WHSFL
has a CIS-level leg right now. And frankly, based on the
kicking of some of the professionals in the CFL this season,
he might be ready to take the next step – as a teenager. He’s
also a Provincial Team soccer star.
Rain Slater:
DT/OG – St. John’s:
After a summer playing with Team Manitoba, Rain Slater is finally
going to be able to show his skills at the high school level. A
runningback with the North Winnipeg Nomads, he moved to the
offensive and defensive lines with U-16 Team ‘Toba Black. Now,
heading into Grade 10, this 15-year-old sensation has emerged as one
of the best young linemen that Recruit Ready has ever prepared for
a season. At 6-foot-4, 27- pounds, he’s a monster on either side of the
line.
Wyatt Edmonds:
OL – St. Paul’s:
He played for Team Gold on the 2014 Team Manitoba U-16
squad. He’s 6-foot-1, 240 pounds and his coaches believe he
will become the best offensive lineman at St. Paul’s. Only 17,
he has another season of high school football in 2016. He’s a
player to watch for the next two years.
Trevor Wright:
RB – St Paul’s:
One of the best runningbacks in the WHSFL’s Potter Division last
season, the St. Paul’s senior is back to tear up defences again. He
exploded onto the scene at the 2013 Red River Cup at Investors Group
Field and for the past two seasons
has been the AA star – and champion
– and a AAA workhorse. Last season,
he carried 52 times for 502 yards (9.4
yards per carry) and four touchdowns
in eight games. It was the third best
average per carry in the league for
anyone who carried more than 40
times. He also caught six passes for
239 yards and two touchdowns.
24 / sportslife
Todd
Campbell: LB/
SB – Sisler:
Called “a true student of the
game, and a hybrid player
on defense,” by his coaches,
Todd is able to tackle,
cover, blitz, and just about
anything else you can ask
of him. Due to his extreme versatility and athleticism
Todd is moved all over the field to best stop the
opposing team’s offense. According to coach Sean
Esselmont, “Todd is extremely coachable and has all
of the tools to succeed at the next level.”
Jesse Zajaros: LB –
Murdoch MacKay:
Coach Thomas Lange says: “Defensive Captain Jesse
Zajaros has dedicated himself over the past two
years to becoming the best football player he could
possibly be and this year he looks to reap those
benefits as he leads the Clansmen Defense into his
senior year.” A member of Manitoba’s provincial U-18
team, he played well at all off-season tournaments.
Coaches have begun to take notice. As Lange says,
“Zajaros is a beast.”