When the RSEQ announced their 2021 conference all-stars Friday, it was more of what football fans in Quebec have become accustomed to.
The Laval Rouge et Or and Montreal Carabins, bound for another Dunsmore Cup clash this weekend, dominated the all-star selections with eight each, taking up 16 of the 27 available spots. When it came to individual awards however, the two provincial powerhouses took home just four of the ten available and had no shot at claiming top honour.
The trophy for the conference’s Most Valuable Player — and in turn the RSEQ’s nomination for the Hec Crighton — went instead to Concordia Stingers quarterback Olivier Roy. The Donnaconna, Quebec native led U Sports in passing with 2,470 yards — one of just two pivots in the entire country to cross the 2,000 yard threshold — while throwing for 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Viewed as the Hec Crighton favourite by most, Roy is in the running to become the first RSEQ player to win the award since Bishop’s quarterback Jordan Heather took home the award in 2013. No Concordia player has ever won the Hec Crighton trophy.
Among the other major awards handed out Friday, Laval linebacker Alec Poirier took home the Defensive Player of the Year and Montreal defensive tackle Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal was named Lineman of the year. Sherbrooke punter Jacob Camiré was selected as Special Teams Player of the Year.
Two other Stingers also took home major awards. Receiver Jaylan Greaves was named Rookie of the Year, while defensive end Malick Sylvain took home the prestigious Academics, Leadership & Citizenship Award.
Rounding out the honourees, McGill receiver Darius Simmons was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and Montreal linebacker Harold Miessan claimed Defensive Rookie of the Year. Sherbrooke quarterback coach Luc Sylvain was honoured as the Volunteer Coach of the Year, while Montreal head coach Marco Iadeluca will be the RSEQ’s nominee for U Sports Coach of the Year.
A full list of RSEQ all-stars can be seen below.
OFFENCE
Andy Genois – LAVAL – Tackle
Anthony Vandal – SHERBROOKE – Tackle
Nicolas Guay – LAVAL – Guard
Alexandre Levac – MONTRÉAL – Guard
Cyrille Hogan-Saindon – LAVAL – Centre
Jaylan Greaves – CONCORDIA – Receiver
Kevin Mital – LAVAL – Receiver
Darius Simmons – MCGILL – Receiver
Hassane Dosso – MONTRÉAL – Receiver
David Dallaire – LAVAL – Fullback/Hybrid
Bertrand Beaulieu – MONTRÉAL – Running Back
Olivier Roy – CONCORDIA – Quarterback
DEFENCE
Philippe Lemieux-Cardinal – MONTRÉAL – Defensive End
Joshua Archibald – MCGILL – Defensive End
Jean-William Rouleau – LAVAL – Defensive Tackle
Jérémie Verreault – SHERBROOKE – Defensive Tackle
Alec Poirier – LAVAL – Linebacker
Michael Brodrique – MONTRÉAL – Linebacker
Benjamin Carré – MCGILL – Linebacker
Ahmadou Boubacar – CONCORDIA – Corner
Kaylyn St-Cyr – MONTRÉAL – Corner
Derek Achaempong – CONCORDIA – Halfback
Bruno Lagacé – MONTRÉAL – Halfback
Khadeem Pierre – CONCORDIA – Free Safety
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jacob Camiré – SHERBROOKE – Punter
Michael Arpin – MONTRÉAL – Place Kicker
Antoine Dansereau-Leclerc – LAVAL – Kick Returner