Former Sir Wilfrid Laurier Lancers Teammates awarded OUA football’s top honours

Ottawa football players brought home top honours in the OUA, on both sides of the ball. Leading the way for Ottawa natives on the field this season was Laurier Golden Hawks’ Kurleigh Gittens Jr. The former Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School star set a U Sports record for receptions in a season with 75 and led the OUA in receiving with a school-record of 953 yards. Kittens Jr. was named the OUA’s MVP and was named as an OUA First-Team All Star as both a receiver and a special teams returner. He was also nominated for the Hec Crighton Trophy awarded to the most outstanding player in U Sports football as well as being named a First-Team All-Canadian.

On the other side of the ball, Ottawa Gee-Gees Jackson Bennett won the OUA’s President’s Trophy as the conference’s best stand-up defensive player. The former Sir Wilfrid Laurier Lancer made the OUA’s First-Team defensively and the 2nd-Team as a returner. He was also nominated for the Presidents’ Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in U Sports football. Bennett was a Second-Team All-Canadian.

Carleton’s Kene Onyeka, from Brampton, was named the OUA lineman of the year, and was 1 of 7 Ravens who were OUA all-stars. Onyeka was also nominated for the Most Outstanding Down Lineman award in U Sports alongside his Second-Team All-Canadian spot. On the First-Team in the OUA with Onyeka was Ravens’ centre, Zach Annen (St. Thomas), who was also a First-Team All-Canadian and offensive tackle Nolan McGreer (Kingston). On the Second-Team for the Ravens was running back Nathan Carter (Ottawa), who was also a Second-Team All-Canadian, receiver Phil Iloki (Montreal), guard KC Bakker (London) and kicker Michael Domagala (St. Catharines). Ottawa Gee-Gees Jamie Harry (Lachine, Que.) was also a First-Team OUA All-Star and First-Team All-Canadian. Concordia’s Khadeem Pierre, from Ottawa, was a Second-Team All-Canadian as well.