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November 27, 2015 | Football

Yanic Lessard, Sam Narkaj and Mikaël CharlandYanic Lessard, Sam Narkaj and Mikaël Charland

Impressive class of CIS all-Canadians for football

Defensive tackle Sam Narkaj, a third-year student from Toronto, completed an impressive season by being named a first team all-Canadian at the CIS football awards banquet last night in Quebec City.

At six foot one and 295 pounds, Narkaj wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks all year. He had six solo tackles and three assists behind the line of scrimmage, including three sacks. He had 23.5 tackles on the season and an interception he returned seven yards.

The last Concordia defensive tackle named all-Canadian was Jeff Anderson in 1997.

The second team all-Canadians were also announced last night and included veteran defensive halfback Mikaël Charland, a fourth-year native of Gatineau, Que., and rookie receiver Yanic Lessard from Ste. Julie, Que.

A top-rated CFL prospect for 2016, Charland lived up to expectations finishing the regular season with the second best total tackles in the RSEQ. He had 37 solos and 19 assists for a total of 46.5. He also had three interceptions, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

In four seasons, Charland has played every regular season game for the Stingers, 33 in total. He has accumulated 166 solo tackles and 66 assists for a total of 199 tackles. That is the third most tackles in Concordia history behind linebacker Max Caron with 227 (2010-2013) and current defensive co-ordinator, also a Stinger linebacker, Pat Donovan with 217.5 (2001-03 and 2005-06).

If he were to return for a fifth year, the RSEQ record of 253.5 tackles would be within reach. It was set by the Bishop’s Gaiters’ Francis Bellefroid (1993-97).

Lessard led the conference in receiving yards with 728 on 50 catches. He also scored eight touchdowns which ties a school record for most receiving touchdowns in a season. Lessard joins Sylvain Girard who hauled in eight TDs in 1998.

Perhaps more impressive is the fact that he is only the second Concordia rookie to ever be named an all-Canadian. In 1989 defensive back Ian Ployart was selected for the second team.

The last time the Stingers placed three players on the national honor roll was in 2009. The all-Canadians that year were: linebacker Cory Greenwood (NFL Kansas City Chiefs and CFL Toronto Argonauts), offensive tackle Kristian Matte, currently with the Montreal Alouettes, and slotback Cory Watson who will suit up with the Edmonton Eskimos in this Sunday’s Grey Cup game.