Bringing home the hardware

Members of the Holland College Hurricanes earn league awards

The Holland College Hurricanes men’s football team received 15 awards this week from the Atlantic Football League (AFL) for the 2019 season.

“We’re very proud of the student-athletes recognized, plus those that had strong seasons but were not selected for awards,” said head coach Steve Letner. “The hard work and determination of our team this year is well represented by these all-stars and award winners for 2019.”

Jerome Tshimpangila was the defensive player of the year, Justice Grant the rookie of the year and Jack Malo the special teams player of the year.

Tshimpangila, a second-year player from Moncton, was led the four-team league in tackles and sacks while also contributing with two interceptions. The linebacker is a marketing and advertising management student.

Grant, a first-year ’Cane from Toronto, quickly adapted to the collegiate level, improving each time he stepped foot on the field. The defensive back, who studies sport and leisure management, contributed tackles, sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries at key points in games.

Malo, a second-year Holland College student from Barrie,

Ont., returned kicks and punts for the Hurricanes. The sport and leisure management student also had four interceptions and three fumble recoveries

The ‘Canes also had 12 players named to league all-star teams.

Offensively, they included running back Marco Antonio Briones-Gutierrez, receiver Matthew Uriah Kaye-Mitchell and linemen Colin Cepecauer and Griffin Quigley.

On the defence, A.J. Fields and Tyler Hobbs were two of the linemen, joining linebacker Tshimpangila and defensive back Grant, brothers Jack and Max Malo.

On special teams, Malo (returner) and Kaye-Mitchell (punter) made the squad.

Holland College started the regular season 1-3 before winning their final two games and making the final for the eighth time in the last nine years.

The Hurricanes are tied for the most championships in AFL history with four, claiming the title in 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

SUBMITTED Holland College Hurricanes recently earning Atlantic Football League recognition were, from left, A.J. Fields, Tyler Hobbs, Max Malo, Jerome Tshimpangila, Justice Grant, Jack Malo, Matthew Uriah Kaye-Mitchell, Marco Antiono Briones Gutierrez, Griffin Quigley and Colin Cepecauer.