Redhawks finish the season with a passel of awards

The season ended too soon for the Champlain Valley Union High football team, but that culmination marked the beginning of awards season.

Although it was small consolation, it was at least some consolation to note how many of the members of the team merited awards from the Vermont Football Coaches Association for the level of their play this year.

The Redhawks’ Ollie Cheer was named first team quarterback, Jacob Bose nabbed first team running back, and Brian Rutherford and Jacob Armstrong were named to the first team as wide receivers.

Also named to the first team from CVU were Josh Quad and Sean Kennedy (offensive line); Aidan Morris (kicker); Orion Yates (punter); Sean Kennedy (defensive line); Bose (inside linebacker); Yates and Dylan Terricciano (outside linebacker); and Billy Bates and Dylan Frere (defensive back).

Redhawks named to the second team were Nolan Walpole (running back); Connor Simons and Wes Anair (offensive line); Connor Simons (defensive line); Lucas Almena-Lee (inside linebacker); and Chase Leonard, Calvin Steele and Anderson McEnaney (defensive back).

Honorable mention went to Anderson McEnaney and Asher Vaughn (running back); George Taylor (tight end); and Stuart Allard and Daniel Tuiqere (inside linebacker).

Coach Rahn Fleming was proud of how his team came together over the season. “I think they developed a kind of esprit de corps where they truly believed they were in it together. And they went out and performed as such.”

The North-South Seniors All-Star game went to the north 33-29 in a back-and-forth contest on Nov. 19 at Norwich University, and a number of Redhawks were instrumental in ensuring the win and giving the North a 12-10 lead in the annual contest.

Cheer went 5 for 6 in pass completions on the game-winning drive, capped off by a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jamison Couture of Mount Abraham. Cheer notched two touchdowns and 207 yards of offense.

The South was threatening late as Burr and Burton’s Jack McCoy had two opportunities with his team within 10 yards of the goal, but couldn’t seal the deal. CVU’s Steele knocked down a pass with minutes left to stop the South’s final possession.