It’s the most prestigious individual award in Canadian university football, the Hec Crighton Trophy.
Traditionally the big golden football has been hard for non-quarterbacks to win. Eight of the last 12 trophies have gone to QBs, and it took video game-like numbers for the three running backs (Kojo Aidoo, Jesse Lumsden and Daryl Stephenson) and one receiver (Andy Fantuz) to snatch it away. And, as with the Heisman Trophy, it is extremely rare to see a defender win the Hec. Only once since the inception of the award in 1967 has an athlete listed as a defensive player taken home the hardware (Acadia free safety Al Charuk in 1974).
Yours truly believes the race for the Hec doesn’t get written or talked about enough by the mainstream media. So I’ve put together a Hec Crighton watch list counting down the top challengers for the award at this point in the CIS season. To become a legitimate Hec challenger, in my opinion, a player must produce at a high level, make plays in the clutch and lead their team to victories over the toughest competition.
The contenders:
1) Will Finch, QB, Western
Despite being a sophomore, Finch has been the most impressive quarterback countrywide in 2013. The six-foot-three, 215-lb. pivot has arm strength not often seen in the university ranks — he can drive the ball and make all the throws required on the wide Canadian field. Finch has thrown for a CIS-leading 13 touchdowns and has already recorded two 400-yard passing performances through four games. This is all while directing the Mustangs offence currently averaging a CIS-best 65.5 points per game. Finch is the frontrunner for the Hec, and if he continues to throw up yards and touchdowns at his current pace, he might just gallop away with the award.
2) Anthony Coombs, RB, Manitoba
Coombs is easily the most dynamic and explosive skill-position player in the CIS. He reminds me of Marshall Faulk in the way that he can produce game-changing plays regardless of where he’s lined up on the field. The five-foot-nine, 190-lb. playmaker has 448 yards rushing, third most in the CIS, on just 46 carries. For all the non-math majors out there, that works out to a ridiculous 9.7 yards per carry. When Coombs is split out of the backfield and lines up as a receiver he is equally as dangerous. Just ask Saskatchewan. Coombs rolled up 202 total yards from scrimmage, including 117 receiving, and two touchdowns in the Bisons’ first meeting against the Huskies this year. If Coombs can use his special talents to guide Manitoba to a Hardy Cup title, he would put himself at the forefront of the Hec Crighton discussion.
3) George Johnson, WR, Western
Talk about coming out of nowhere. Johnson didn’t even record a catch in the three games he played in as a freshman. Now he’s leading the country in receiving yards. Johnson, who is also a guard on the Mustangs basketball team, has racked up 521 yards and four touchdowns through four games. His ability to rebound the football, if you will, is something special. Even when it appears Johnson is covered, his quarterback can throw the alley pass and be certain it will be Johnson who comes down with the oop. Johnson’s big-play ability has him on pace to become the first 1,000-yard receiver in the CIS since Simon Charbonneau-Campeau in 2010, which would garner him serious Hec Crighton consideration.
4) Mercer Timmis, RB, Calgary
Timmis is as tough as running backs come. If you give him the ball 20 or more times he’s going to get you 100 yards on the ground. For proof look no further than his game logs in 2013. Timmis has gone over the century mark and scored at least once in all three of the Dinos games this season. He’s not the flashiest player with the football, but he is easily the most consistent offensive player on a Calgary team that is undefeated and appears to be the favourite to hoist another Hardy Cup.
5) Devon Bailey, WR, St. Francis Xavier
There is no doubt Bailey is the most physically gifted offensive player in the Atlantic Conference, but he must continue to match production with capability in order to become a serious Hec Crighton threat. The fourth-year pass catcher is off to a nice start, catching 11 balls for 193 yards and two touchdowns through two games this season. Bailey is a nightmare for defensive backs to cover. His speed, quickness and catching radius are impressive for a player who checked in at over six-foot-three at the 2013 East West Bowl. It is paramount for Bailey and his Hec chances that he puts up big numbers and leads his X-Men team to victory against conference rivals Acadia and St. Mary’s.
Just on the outside:
Brandon Deschamps, RB, UBC
Aaron Colbon, QB, Ottawa
Brian Marshall, WR, Western
Austin Kennedy, QB, Windsor
Luis Guimont-Mota, RB, McGill