Dan Falloon
The Muskie football program has a new bench boss, with former team MVP Chad Canfield taking over the helm from Andrew George.
Canfield coached the linebackers and running backs this past season—both positions he played while a member of the black-and-gold.
He also played fullback at Mount Allison University.
In his graduating year from Fort High in 2000, Canfield took home both the Paul Renaud Trophy as team MVP and the Marc DeGagne Award for outstanding contribution.
In related news, the football squad held its awards banquet earlier this month.
Quarterback Dan Brunetta was named team MVP, safety/linebacker Andre Valenzuela earned defensive MVP honours, and cornerback Donny Krishka took home the outstanding contribution award.
Linemen Eric Duffy and Cody Hunsperger shared the rookie-of-the-year trophy.
George said Brunetta is a well-respected player on the field, but also worked hard off of it to help keep the team afloat.
The Muskies had to forfeit their Sept. 25 game to the River East Kodiaks because of a lack of players, with George crediting his quarterback with spearheading the effort to recruit new ones.
“He took the initiative to get new guys out to practice,” George recalled. “[He was helpful] leading us through those tough times.”
George said he also considered Brunetta one of the most improved players on the field.
As for Valenzuela, George said the coaching staff put the safety/linebacker “in a position to make a lot of plays” while Krishka was “one of the best cover cornerbacks in the league” and a major help to teach other defensive players.
Duffy, meanwhile, was a mid-season addition who left opposing coaches amazed that he was just a rookie.
For his part, Hunsperger was a lineman on both sides who George described as a “hard-working type of guy who plays through injuries.”
