Liam Mahoney, a second-year quarterback from Lachine, Que., was named the Concordia Stingers team MVP and outstanding offensive player at the football team’s annual banquet held last Saturday at Molson Breweries.
In the 2008 season, Mahoney accounted for more than 2000 yards of offence – 1478 yards passing and 559 yards rushing. He was also involved in 13 touchdown scores – passing for six TDs and running in seven majors.
Mahoney helped lead the Stingers to a 5-3 second-place finish in the QUFL.
Veteran Tom Kuchiran was named Concordia’s outstanding player on defence. The fifth-year defensive end recorded 15 solo tackles, 15 assists, two sacks, three forced fumbles and he recovered a fumble in eight regular season games.
In the Dunsmore Cup championship versus the Laval Rouge et Or, Kuchiran picked up a fumble and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. He also had 7.5 tackles in the game.
In addition to his athletic prowess, the Pointe Claire, Que. native was heavily relied on for his exceptional leadership.
Defensive back Mark Deslauriers of Pierrefonds, Que. was named the most dedicated Stinger.
Awards for outstanding play on the lines went to centre Pat Petraroia of Montreal on offence and to Kuchiran on defence.
Defensive halfback Bryan Charleau, a native of Simcoe, Ont., was the exceptional player on special teams.
The outstanding rookies were wide receiver Sanchez Deschamps (Mississauga, Ont.) on offence and linebacker Ricky Zieba (Montreal) on defence.
The top academic athlete was rookie centre Gabriel Plante (St. Jean Chrysostome, Que.) who boasts a 3.9 GPA in Economics.
Stinger tradition dictates that fifth-year players give a speech at their last official team function. This year seven players shared their memories with the crowd – receiver Blake Butler, guard Connor Smith, tackle Mike Comeau, linebacker Darnell Danglade, linebacker Nathan Agadzi, defensive end William Miller and Kuchiran.
More than 160 people attended the event, including 30 of the top football recruits from Quebec and Ontario.
