A Holy Trinity Knight had a tough time grabbing his trophy during the football team’s awards banquet last week.

Bradley Rigon had his wrist wrapped when he accepted his Most Improved Player at the Knights Football Banquet Dec. 2 at the DeWinton Hall.

The defensive halfback had just recovered from surgery on Nov. 29 for a broken wrist he suffered during spring football with the Foothills Midget Eagles.

“I broke my wrist at practice and I played the rest of season with a cast but it didn’t heal right,” the Grade 12 student said. “I played the (high school) season with a brace on and had my surgery last Thursday (Nov.29) because I didn’t want to miss any of the season. ”

The surgery required the re-breaking of his wrist and then a piece from his hip was inserted into his wrist.

In his final year with the Knights, Rigon became a leader in the defensive secondary, which is talented but young.
“They are good football players, they can hold their own,” Rigon said. “I thought our defence played really well this year.”

Rigon was a greenhorn to football when he stepped on to the field for the first time as a Grade 10 student.

“Colton (Knights defensive captain Colton Schneider) talked me into it,” Rigon said. “I didn’t get much playing time in Grade 10 and I got to play most of the games in Grade 11.”

Schneider, who was named the team’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year, said the biggest change in Rigon over three years was his demeanor on the field.

“More than anything he had more confidence,” Schneider said. “By the end of the season, he felt he could do anything anyone else on the defence could do… We played Medicine Hat and it was like 20 below and Brad had something like six tackles. It was ridiculous.”

Although Holy Trinity Academy had an un-Knights’-like 2-5 record this season, Rigon, who plans to take biology at the University of Calgary after graduation, said his senior year was the highlight of his high school career because of his increased role.

Rigon had a good mentor in Schneider who was the defensive captain, as well as the Knights’ Defensive Player of the Year and MVP.

“One of the things I wanted to be this year was a leader,” Schneider said. “The last two years, I was a follower because we had such a strong group of seniors.”

He called himself a quiet leader — he would have to be, he doesn’t have time to talk.

Schneider cemented the Knights’ defence at middle linebacker and also played tackle on the offensive line.

“It was tiring at the start of the season, but I kind of got used to it because I have done it all the years I have played,” he said.

He’s proud of his last season despite the losing record.

“I knew we would struggle because we are so young, but you can’t use that as an excuse,” Schneider said. “I’m glad these guys could get in and hopefully we can be use it to be better the next two years.”

He said the highlight for him was getting an interception and returning it for a touchdown against the Cochrane Cobras.

“It is the only touchdown in my whole life,” Schneider said with a laugh.

Schneider plans to continue playing football at university or college next season.

The Knights’ Offensive Player of the Year was such an integral part of the team the coaching staff revamped their offense around him for their final game against their archrival, the Foothills Composite Falcons.

“It shocked me,” said Knight quarterback Mark Oness. “But I liked it a lot. It was more wide open and a lot more passing.”

Oness, a Grade 11 student, admitted he struggled at times this year after a rookie season where he had the support of a lot of veterans.

“Last year we had stud receivers and stud runningbacks,” Oness said. “This year, they had talent, but it took a long time to gel… I don’t think I ever found my rhythm.”

He said the highlight of the year was watching the team develop.

“I just enjoyed playing with my teammates and coming out to practice — the whole year was a highlight,” Oness said.

He said the future looks bright for next season.

“It was a growing season — watch out next year,” Oness said. “We have 40 guys returning.”

The Knights had the toughest schedule in the school’s history. Three of their losses came against provincial champions in their respective tiers: the Raymond Comets, the Foothills Composite Falcons and the Brooks Buffaloes.
It was also the Knights’ first year as a Tier II team (enrolment 750-1,249).

The recipients at the Holy Trinity Knights Awards banquet on Dec. 2 are as follows:

Most Valuable Player — Colton Schneider

Offensive Player — Mark Oness

Defensive Player — Colton Schneider

Special Team Player of the Year — Chris McGuire

Nick Beaulieu Memorial Award — Mitchell Woehleke

Iron Knight Award — John Brown

Heart of the Knight — Hunter Turnbull, Brandon Bellman

Lineman of the Year – Matthew Johnson

Leadership and Dedication — Colton Schneider

Student Athlete — Eric Brown

Most Improved Player — Bradley Rigon

Rookie of the Year — Jadon Schneider