A change was way better than a rest for an award-winning football player.
Holy Trinity Academy Knight Cameron Fietz didn’t rest last summer, but spent his time honing his skills as he made the change from slotback/DB to quarterback fulltime for the 2016 season.
“I just took into account what was best for the team and I knew the coaches thought I was the best in that position under the circumstances,” Fietz said. “I ran with it, worked hard.
“I just wanted to do what was best for the team.”
Fietz could have used some help from his teammates to carry his armful of awards he received at the Knights banquet on Dec. 7. He was named the team’s MVP, Top Offensive Player and won the Leadership and Dedication Award.
The southpaw went from having a popgun arm in 2015 to possessing an eagle-eyed cannon this season which zeroed in on Knights receivers like David Bowers, Adam Dielissen, Johnny Buck and others.
There was a two-prong approach to Fietz’s improvement.
“The two parts were mentality and repetition,” the Grade 12 student said. “I would go out and throw – repetition after repetition with different game situations I would work on.”
“Another huge part of it was the growth and mentality part of the game. That just came with time and experience.”
He said he felt things were starting to click at spring practice in June.
“That was a huge spark for me,” Fietz said. “I realized how capable we were of doing well. So I buckled down.”
It was the team that made his 2016 success possible, according to the affable gunslinger.
“I was just extremely overwhelmed by it all,” Fietz said of the awards. “I owe it all to my coaches — my mentors — and my teammates. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to do achieve what I did. They were a huge part of that.”
The Knights were able to achieve their best year since going to the Tier II provincial final in 2011. HTA made it to the Big Rock Council final this season.
They were also able to charm a long-time nemesis – knocking off the Rundle College Cobras, who had ended the Knights season the four previous years.
“There was a huge build-up going into that game,” Fietz said. “The graduating class of 2017 – my class – got to know what it felt like to be knocked out by them in our Grade 10 and 11 years.
“We didn’t want that to happen again. We put it all on the table and we won both games (this year).”
Fietz had no problem learning offensive co-ordinator John Jenkins more-pass oriented offence. He is an honour student with marks in the low 90s. He would like to extend his career by playing CIS football or possibly at a prep school in the United States.
He has already been in contact with Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.
The recipients at the Holy Trinity Academy Knights football awards banquet on Dec. 7.
MVP —Cameron FietzDefensive Player of the Year —Evan BruynzeelOffensive Player of the Year —FietzWorkout Get Ripped Award —Adam Dielissen, Rylee StoneSpecial Teams Player of the Year —Spencer KesselMost Improved Player —Peter Ottenbreit Leadership and Dedication – FietzIron Knight —John Buck Nicholas Beaulieu Memorial Award —Luc Leslie Lineman of the Year —Conor McGeeKnights of Columbus Faith and Service —Miguel VillarrealHeart of the Knight —Spence Howson Student Athlete —Grade 10, Austin Shawaga; Grade 11, MIguel Villarreal; Grade 12, Rylee Stone.Rookie of the Year —Parker NakamuraKnightly Warrior —Jacob Kamajian
