Hardware Haul

The depth of talent on the 2007 South Peace Penguins football team was obvious Saturday night at the annual awards banquet.

While at past awards ceremonies there has been just one winner in most categories and only the odd player walked away with more than one trophy, at the team's season-ending banquet and awards ceremony at Unchagah Hall a few players received multiple awards and in several other cases more than one name will go on a single trophy.

"I don't know if they were tough decisions. Most of those awards, the kids said they were surprised, but as coaches we weren't surprised. We didn't have much difficulty with the decisions we made this year," said coach Dan Lopatka.

Every one of the 10 departing veterans received an award but so did many of the up-and-comers who will take the spots of those vets on the 2008 roster.

Topping the list of award winners were Tyler Sexsmith and Justin Vipond who shared the team's most valuable player award as well as the quarterback position throughout the season. Vipond (QB and slotback) was the starting quarterback, but was sidelined with a knee injury so in stepped Sexsmith. Sexsmith (QB, defensive half and slotback) "did all you would expect him to do as a back-up - and won football games," said co-coach Roger Anderson. Vipond did whatever he could on and off the field to help his team win, added Anderson.

Dillon Dilworth, who earlier had won the Mighty Peace Football League's outstanding linebacker award, received both the team's outstanding linebacker award and the outstanding defensive player award. Dilworth is fast, has a wonderful reaction time and "is always right there," said Anderson.

Brother Sage Dilworth, who was the league's MVP and top running back, took home the Penguins' top running back award and the outstanding offensive player trophy. Dilworth can run, catch and understands the game, said Lopatka.

Tim Anderson (receiver, slotback and safety) was another double award winner with his name on the top receiver and outstanding offensive player awards. Lopatka recalled Anderson showing up as a skinny Grade 9 player who worked hard and through his passion for the game and dedication over the next four years became "a disciplined player and terrific receiver".  

Reid Hill, who had played with the club but was knocked out of action with an injury, showed his dedication by staying with the team   as the manager and for that he received the coach's awards.

Jesse Dyck (linebacker, defensive tackle and offensive guard) and Curtis Underwood (defensive end, defensive tackle, linebacker, offensive guard and offensive tackle) shared the team's spirit award.

Mac Alton (corner and halfback) took home the cheer award. Alton was "always encouraging and rallying everyone both on and off the field" said Anderson.

Shelby Meckler (centre and defensive tackle) snapped up the Corey Osmond Memorial Award. Meckler "dug deep and didn't have any quit" and "has turned into a heck of a football player," commented Lopatka.

D.J. Comer (defensive end, defensive tackle and offensive guard) and Nathan Lazinchuk (offensive guard, defensive nose and defensive tackle) were the top defensive and offensive linemen respectively. Comer was versatile and tough on the line, commented Anderson, while Lopatka expects Lazinchuk, who has already represented Alberta at the national level, to excel further in the sport.  

Grade 10 player Chet Lopatka won the top defensive back award. Lopatka, who can "light it up on the field", will be leaving Dawson Creek in February and will be sorely missed by the team, said Anderson.

Grade 10 student Matt Comer (defensive and offensive tackle), who "went from riding the pine last season to playing both ways", received the team's rookie of the year award.

Dave Neil (defensive end, defensive tackle, offensive tackle and offensive guard) and Steve Roszmann (slot, defensive half, wide receiver and corner) both received most improved offensive player awards.

Ted Kabzems (corner and wide receiver), Katie Hiebert (corner and receiver) Nathalie Jones (defensive tackle and defensive half) and Brad Loroff (defensive tackle and offensive tackle) were in a four-way tie for the most improved player on the defensive side of the ball.

"All are back next season and we are expecting great things from them," said Anderson.

The 16-17 returning Penguins will be back on the practice field in the spring for a couple of months as they prepare for the fall season.

Former players pay glowing tribute to Lopatka

The South Peace Penguins football club's awards banquet on Saturday night was like none in recent memory.

The more than 100 people who attended enjoyed a delicious Thai dinner courtesy of Sowanee Lopatka, coach Dan Lopatka's wife.

The dinner was kept lively as team captains Tyler Sexsmith and Justin Vipond entertained the crowd with trivia questions.

Later there were inspiring video clips of each player who won an award.

But what will likely be most memorable is the touching farewell that coach Dan Lopatka received from many of his past players.

Lopatka, a physical education teacher at SPSS since the early 1990s, will be retiring in February and moving to Thailand. He leaves with a couple of Peace Bowl titles to his credit, but, probably more important, is the knowledge that he has touched the lives of so many players - some who were present Saturday.

Prior to the awards ceremony in Unchagah Hall, many of Lopatka's former players stood to thank him for his years of service.

Mike Sudnik, a player from the early 1990s, started off the ceremony with a 20-minute speech in which he recalled his memories of Penguin football.  

"You were never too small or too slow to play Penguin football. If you wanted to play, Lopatka could teach you," said Sudnik, adding that he will forever remember Penguin football for its intensity, desire and the dedication of Lopatka.

After the formal speeches the microphone was passed around and players of the 1993-1994 Peace Bowl winning teams, players from teams that played just a few years ago and the present members of the Penguins praised their former coach.

Mark Owens, who went on to play football at the University of Alberta credited Lopatka with helping him get his start and motivating him to excel.

Another player referred to Lopatka as "a father on the field who always cared for us."

Yet another pointed out that Lopatka taught him determination and when he quit, the coach pushed him to come back.

Others, like Jason Tom, who graduated a few years ago, was hampered with injuries at times but thanked Lopatka for encouraging him to "play with a lot of heart, even when he was hurt."

Graduating Penguin Dillon Dilworth, who was the team's and the Mighty Peace Football League's outstanding linebacker, said Lopatka will be forever missed in the league.

And Dave Shannon, a fellow teacher and Penguin supporter who travelled with the team, said that the Penguin players were all well-behaved and respectable young people and that "it was a treat to be with a team coached by a man who demands respect and receives it from his players."

It was all pretty overwhelming, said Lopatka, thankful for the accolades as his teaching career winds down.

"All this time that I have been leaving, I have been getting a send-off and it is very, very heartwarming and nice to see those players from the 90s and different years. Thank you to everybody. It has been fun. It is kind of crazy. I have enjoyed myself so much and at the end I kind of feel guilty because people are swarming me with accolades and kindness, and all I can say is thank you because I had as good a time as they did."

By Rick Davison - Dawson Creek Daily News