Nine X-Men named to AUS football all-star team

2009 Atlantic University Sport Football All-Stars Announced
Courtesy Atlantic University Sport

November 11, 2009 (HALIFAX, NS) - Atlantic University Sport is pleased to announce the 2009 football offensive and defensive all-star teams as selected by the conference's four head coaches following regular season play.

The first place Saint Mary's Huskies (7-1) led the list of selections announced today, claiming a total of ten all-star positions while the second place StFX X-Men (6-2, 1-0 playoffs) had nine players named as conference all-stars. The Acadia Axemen (2-6) and Mount Allison Mounties (0-8) each took home four all-stars each.

Leading the list of Huskies is fourth year punter and place kicker Justin Palardy of Truro, NS, who was a double-selection for the second consecutive year. Justin had a record setting season for the Huskies, as he made 23-of-27 field goals, converted all 27 of his PAT attempts and led the CIS in scoring with 96 points in eight games. With another year of eligibility remaining, Palardy now holds the AUS career records for points scored (320), field goals made (65) and converts made (116). This season, he established a new AUS single season record for field goals made with 23 and his regular season total of 96 points scored are a new school record at Saint Mary's and the sixth highest total in league history.

The SMU running back duo of Devon Jones and Craig Leger combined for 969 yards and nine TD's this season and claimed both of the backfield spots after finishing first and second respectively in AUS rushing yardage. Jones led the conference with 490 yards and six TD's on the ground with Leger adding another 477 and three majors.

With the exception of Palardy, the only other Saint Mary's player to have been an all-star previously is offensive lineman Derek Weber who was also named to the squad in 2006. Other Huskies rewarded today include defensive lineman Devon Hicks, defensive backs Quinton Meaders and Mark Holden, linebacker Ryan King and offensive lineman Adam Baboulas. Meaders and Holden led the Huskies with three interceptions each, while Hicks led the conference with 5.0 sacks and a pair of interceptions, both of which he returned for TD's.

Fifth year pivot Steve Snyder leads the list of StFX all-star selections. Snyder had a career year in 2009, leading the conference in passing yards (2353 yards), passing TD's (11) and completion percentage (63.6 per cent). His 2353 yards passing this season are a new StFX record and the second highest total in conference history. Two of Snyder's main targets this year, wide receiver Akeem Foster and inside receiver Mark Metulynsky, were also named all-conference players. Foster, a 2008 AUS all-star who is ranked as a top prospect for this year's CFL Canadian Draft, caught 37 passes for 595 yards and four TD's this season while Metulynsky had 32 catches for 479 yards and three majors.

Offensive guard and 2007 AUS Rookie of the Year Stewart Walsh along with five members of the X-Men defense were also recognized by the coaches, including 2008 AUS Defensive Player of the Year Henoc Muamba and 2008 all-stars David Skillen and Tom Lynch. Lynch led StFX with 41.0 tackles and led the AUS with 9.5 tackles for a loss, including 4.0 sacks. Muamba recorded 36.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks in seven games while Skillen added 27.0 tackles and 3.5 sacks of his own in six games played. Defensive back Dylan Hollohan and defensive tackle Thomas Narbaitz were the other X-Men defender selected. Hollohan picked off a league-leading five passes this season, one of which he returned for a touchdown.

The Acadia Axemen and Mount Allison Mounties round out the offensive and defensive all-stars with four selections each.

For the fourth consecutive season, Mounties receiver and return specialist Gary Ross in both an all-star receiver and the conference's top special teams player. Ross led the conference this year in receptions (60), receiving yards (818 yards), receiving TD's (4) and all-purpose yards (1423 yards). He was the only Atlantic conference player to average over 100 yards receiving per game (102.2 yds per game) and despite opposing teams continually kicking away from him in punting and kickoff situations, he was still able to record 281 punt return yards and 186 kickoff return yards, including a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown vs. McGill in week three.

Offensive linemen Aaron Harper and Mike Filer were the other Mounties players chosen, while Acadia wide receiver Devon Jones was the only Axemen player named to the offensive team. Jones was Acadia's top receiver in 2009 with 28 catches for 370 yards and a pair of TD's. He also returned a missed field goal 122 yards for a score in a week two loss to Saint Mary's.

Defensive back Mike Miller, free safety Mike Rostance and defensive end Adrian Saturley were the other Axemen to get the nod. Miller finished third in the conference with 45.0 tackles this season with Rostance adding another 26.5 tackles. Saturley recorded four solo sacks, 21.0 tackles and two forced fumbles.

2009 Atlantic University Sport all-stars:

DT: Devon Hicks, Saint Mary's (3rd year - Trilby, FL)
DT: Thomas Narbaitz, StFX (1st year - Ottawa, ON)
DE: David Skillen, StFX (5th year - Fredericton, NB)
DE: Adrian Saturley, Acadia (4th year - Terence Bay, NS)
LB: Tom Lynch, StFX (3rd year - Escott, ON)
LB: Ryan King, Saint Mary's (2nd year - Sherwood Park, AB)
LB: Henoc Muamba, StFX (3rd year - Mississauga, ON)
Free Safety: Mike Rostance, Acadia (3rd year - Orillia, ON)
DB: Mike Miller, Acadia (3rd year - Riverview, NB)
DB: Mark Holden, Saint Mary's (3rd year - Halifax, NS)
CB: Quinton Meaders, Saint Mary's (2nd year - Amory, MS)
CB: Dylan Hollohan, StFX (2nd year - Moncton, NB)

OL (C): Derek Weber, Saint Mary's (5th year - Whitby, ON)
OL (G): Stewart Walsh, StFX (3rd year - Antigonish, NS)
OL (G): Mike Filer, Mount Allison (2nd year - Brantford, ON)
OL (T): Adam Baboulas, Saint Mary's (4th year - Oshawa, ON)
OL (T): Aaron Harper, Mount Allison (3rd year - Lloydminster, SK)
QB: Steve Snyder, StFX (5th year - London, ON)
RB: Devon Jones, Saint Mary's (3rd year - St. Albert, AB)
RB: Craig Leger, Saint Mary's (3rd year - Salmon River, NS)
IR: Gary Ross, Mount Allison (4th year - Windsor, ON)
IR: Mark Metulynsky, StFX (3rd year - LaSalle, ON)
WR: Akeem Foster, StFX (3rd year - Ajax, ON)
WR: Devon Jones, Acadia (5th year - Sacramento, CA)

Punter: Justin Palardy, Saint Mary's (4th year - Truro, NS)
Place Kicker: Justin Palardy, Saint Mary's (4th year - Truro, NS)
Special Teams: Gary Ross, Mount Allison (4th year - Windsor, ON)

The 2009 Subway Loney Bowl is taking place this weekend in Halifax, NS. The Saint Mary's Huskies (7-1) host the StFX X-Men (6-2, 1-0 playoffs) to battle for the Jewett Trophy, Saturday afternoon at 1:00pm live on EastLink Television, with a 30-minute pre-game show beginning at 12:30pm. Loney Bowl tickets are now on sale at The Tower front desk or may be purchased over the phone with a credit card only at 902-420-5440.

The winner will advance to the Uteck Bowl the following weekend at Huskies Stadium in Halifax to face either the CIS No. 3 ranked Saskatchewan Huskies or the CIS No. 2 ranked Calgary Dinos. Uteck Bowl tickets are available now and can be purchased on-line at www.ticketatlantic.ca or by calling 902-451-1221.