Image: Supplied by Joanne Hewitt, permission granted by Ian Parks / G.W. Graham head coach Luke Acheson, looking like a proud coach, is pictured with senior varsity Most Valuable Player Tyson Orregaard, who had 64 catches for 1,191 yards and 14 TDs. G.W. Graham held an awards ceremony over the weekend to recap a successful senior varsity and equally successful junior varsity season. Orregaard has committed to play with the University of Manitoba Bisons.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

G.W. Graham Football Awards

G.W. Graham recognizes outstanding football players from memorable 2022 season

Mar 7, 2023 | 1:41 PM

CHILLIWACK — After an 11-2 season in which the senior varsity team came within a two-point conversion of winning a provincial championship, the G.W. Graham Grizzlies celebrated their year-end party over the weekend with over 200 players, family, and friends sharing dinner and an evening of awards.

And it wasn’t just the senior varsity that had an exemplary season, as the junior varsity team advanced to the provincial quarterfinals and had its own share of standouts.

In a press release from assistant coach Ian Parks, who supplied Chilliwack media with pictures and details from Graham’s highly-successful season, head coach Luke Acheson and his staff were sad to see the end of yet another successful season, but are already putting their minds to the 2023 campaign. With multiple seniors moving on to play at the next level, Coach Acheson says he knows the next group of players are ready to step up and take their place.

“It’s always mixed emotions at the conclusion of the year, knowing that some of the players that will be moving on will be missed on and off the field,” said Acheson. “But we know the others are even hungrier for a title after the way last year finished.”

The GW Graham Grizzlies have experienced repeated success during the first 11 years of their football program. Not only have they won four championships (3 JV, 1 SV), but the 2023 group of seniors made it within a game of the finals in 2021 at JV, only losing one game all year that season.

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Headlining a couple of the top awards given out at the weekend’s award ceremony was senior varsity Most Valuable Player Tyson Orregaard (6′, 180 pounds), who had a monster year with 64 receptions for 1,191 yards and 14 TDs.

Orregaard has committed to play football with the University of Manitoba Bisons on a full ride five-year scholarship.

Image: University of Manitoba Bisons / G.W. Graham standout Tyson Orregaard, who hauled in 64 receptions for 1,191 yards and 14 TDs, has committed to play football for the University of Manitoba Bisons.

Quarterback Lucas Feaver (5’9″, 175) had a fantastic 2022 campaign as the play caller behind center. He finished the year with 2,401 yards passing and 27 passing TDs, 238 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns, in earning the Offensive Player of the Year award. As of February 9, Feaver had narrowed his postsecondary destinations to UBC, Simon Fraser University, and Arizona Christian University.

Image: Supplied by Joanne Hewitt, permission granted by Ian Parks / G.W. Graham varsity football coach Luke Acheson is pictured with quarterback Lucas Feaver, who passed for 2,401 yards and 27 TDs, and ran for 238 yards and five rushing TDs, en route to Offensive Player of the Year honours.

On the defensive side of things, Vincent Branauer was a force to be reckoned with. Branauer, standing 6’2″ and weighing 245 pounds, earned varsity Defensive Player of the Year honours with 45 tackles, 14 sacks, two fumble recoveries including a fumble return TD for 92 yards, and an interception. He had a record 42 sacks in his career, according to his Twitter profile. He is signed to play with the University of Alberta Golden Bears.

Image: Supplied by Joanne Hewitt, permission granted by Ian Parks / Vincent Branauer, standing 6’2″ and weighing 245 pounds, was an amazing force on defence this past season for the Grizzlies. He had 45 tackles, 14 sacks, two fumble recoveries including one that he ran back 92 yards for a TD, and an interception. He earned Defensive Player of the Year honours.

On the junior varsity squad, Logan Murphy was named Most Valuable Player.

Image: Joanne Hewitt / Logan Murphy (right) was named JV Most Valuable Player for the G.W. Graham Grizzlies.

The Offensive Player of the Year award on the JV squad went to Denver Adam.

Image: Joanne Hewitt / Denver Adam (right) earned JV Offensive Player of the Year honours.

The Defensive Player of the Year award went to Tyson Jones.

Image: Joanne Hewitt / Tyson Jones (right) was named JV Defensive Player of the Year.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

G.W. Graham recognizes outstanding football players from memorable 2022 season

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