Rushon wins third coach of year award

Barry Rushon's talents as a football coach has not gone unnoticed by many around the province as the Sault Steelers head coach was honoured for the third time by the Northern Football Conference.

Rushon was named NFC coach of the year today for the third time in his Steelers career. Rushon received the honour in 1996 and 2000 after guiding the Steelers to the championship game both seasons.

Without a doubt, Rushon faced some stiff competition from Oakville Longhorns head coach Pat McNerney. The rookie coach lead perhaps the most dominating team in league history to a perfect 10-0 overall record and a league championship.

Brandon Lewis was selected as lineman of the year for the third consecutive season and fifth time in his career. The defensive lineman, who was also selected as the Steelers MVP last week, previously won in 1998, 99, 2001 and 2002.

Keegan Franklin won the August Kangro Memorial Trophy as the leagues leading scorer with 72 points. Franklin becomes the first Steeler to win the award since Vern Milosevich accomplished the feat in 1975.

Franklin at running back and receiver Kyle Lansdell were the lone Steelers to be selected to the offensive all-star team. Defensively, Lewis was selected to the defensive line for the seventh time and sixth consecutive season.

Despite a 10-1 overall record this season, the Steelers managed to place only three different players on the all-star team. The Oakville Longhorns placed 10 players on the all-star list while the Mississauga Wolverines had six all-stars, the Tri-City Outlaws five and the Oshawa Hawkeyes three.

All selections were made by coaches and players from each team.

*** COND WINS OVFL AWARD:

Sault Sabercats linebacker Gavin Cond was selected as the Ontario Varsity Football League's linebacker of the year for the Adam division. Cond was the lone member of the team to receive an award.

The OVFL hands out player of the year awards to each position in both conferences in both the varsity and junior varsity leagues.

Cond, who is set to play his second year of university football at Laurier, finished tenth on the OVFL defensive leader board with 53.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery in eight regular season games.