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Recent Quinte Skyhawks News

Former QB to lead Skyhawks in 2025

By Supplied 11/25/2024, 9:15am PST

Leith Fisken named new head coach

Skyhawks football is pleased to introduce Leith Fisken as the clubs' new head coach for the 2025 season.

Leith Fisken attended Donald A. Wilson highschool in Whitby Ontario. During his remarkable high school career as a quarterback, Leith was able to lead the Gators to three L.O.S.S.A titles and two Metro Bowl appearances. Leith would also represent Team Ontario in 2007 under Acadia University legend Lee Barette and offensive guru Chris Coulson.  After being named the 2009 Senior Football most valuable player for the Gators, Leith attended the University of Ottawa. While there Leith played four seasons for the Ottawa Junior Riders in the QJFL under Max Palladino and Robert Bento. During his time with the Junior Riders he was able to capture a QJFL championship in 2010 and the team’s most valuable offensive player award in 2011. During Leith’s time in Ottawa, Leith was mentored by Canadian football Hec Crighton winners Brad Sinopoli and Larry Mohr. Following his graduation from Ottawa University, Leith spent one season with the Ottawa Invaders under former Texas-El Paso Miners (NCAA Divison 1) and Ottawa GeeGees quarterback, Wayne Jacobs. Leith enjoyed working with coach Jacobs and fellow quarterback colleague, Jeff Hildreth from Bishops University.

Leith’s coaching career began in 2013 with Ashbury College as a quarterback coach, under the watchful eye of former Toronto Argo and Queens Gael, Jon Landon. Ashbury was able to capture the CISAA championship that season before falling in the semi-finals of the Metro Bowl.

Following the CISAA season Leith moved back home to Whitby and played three seasons with the GTA All-Stars where he would team up with Hec Crighton winner Tommy Dennison, the formidable quarterback duo finished the 2014 season number one and number three in the league in all passing categories respectfully. Following his rookie season with GTA, Leith would have a brief stint in the CJFL becoming the starting quarterback for the now dissolved Burlington Braves.

After taking a brief break from football, Leith moved to Quinte West in 2016 where he and his wife Veronica and two young children reside today. In 2017, Leith teamed up with President and Coach Peter Gabriel, for the inaugural season of the Quinte Skyhawks. After the season Leith would step away to focus on his professional career. Fast forward to 2024 Leith returned to the Skyhawks for the U14 OSFL fall season as both a quarterback coach and offensive assistant. The team would go on to finish the season 6-1 before falling in the semi-finals of the OSFL championship. Leith is excited for his new opportunity with an exceptional organization and looks to lead the Quinte Skyhawks into national contention in the near future. Leith is a proven winner and leader both on and off the football field, and will demand his players respect the game, embrace the community, and wear the Skyhawks name with pride!

 

Second Team All-Canadians

By CJFL Media 11/06/2024, 9:00am PST

Some of the best players from 2024

Photo courtesy of Hanlon Photography

The Canadian Junior Football League (CJFL) is proud to announce the SECOND-Team All-Canadians for the 2024 season.

Offensive Line
Camauri Barney – Westshore Rebels (second consecutive season)
Bjorn Nelson – Edmonton Huskies
Michael Astone – Okanagan Sun
Jacob Deneau – London Beefeaters
Caleb Barajas – Regina Thunder

Receivers
Max Taylor – Edmonton Wildcats – he hauled in 41 receptions for 704 yards and had five touchdowns

Cameron St. Kitts-Park – St. Clair Saints – he led the OFC in receptions (29), receiving yards (468) and touchdowns (9)

Blaise Newberry – Calgary Colts – he caught 34 passes for 495 yards and collected three touchdowns 

Christian Phillips – Ottawa Sooners – he had 22 receptions for 375 yards and four touchdowns

Running Backs
Sadik Sadik – Regina Thunder – he led the Prairie Conference with 10 rushing touchdowns on the strength of 106 carries and 781 yards, an average of 7.4 yards a carry

Rashaad Johnson (pictured) – Ottawa Sooners – he led the OFC with 1045 rushing yards on 120 carries for 10 touchdowns

Quarterback
Maurice Sodja – St. Clair Saints (second consecutive season) – completed 68.5% of his passes for a Conference high 1499 yards and 20 touchdowns for a quarterback efficiency of 153.3%.  He also rushed 62 times for 624 yards with 11 more touchdowns, averaging over 10 yards a carry.

Punter
Teijon Abel-Douglas – Saskatoon Hilltops – when called upon he averaged 30.8 net yards with each boot and recorded 39 punts over the course of the regular season

Place Kicker
Jack Lewis – St. Clair Saints – he connected on an Ontario Conference high eight field goals out of 11 attempts.  He added 52 converts during the regular season.

Defensive Line
Ted Windom Jr. – Westshore Rebels – he led the BC Conference with six sacks, had 22 tackles, seven assists and two knockdowns

Johnathon Stevens – Saskatoon Hilltops (second consecutive season) – he tallied 12 solo tackles, had nine assisted stops, three sacks, recovered a fumble and had a knockdown

Noah Williams – London Beefeaters – he had eight solo tackles along with five assisted stops and a pair of sacks

Anthony Adams – St. Clair Saints – he collected eight tackles, had 12 assisted tackles, 3.5 sacks, a knockdown, and recovered a fumble.

Linebackers
Isaac Michayluk – Saskatoon Hilltops - he made 33 solo tackles, assisted on 27 others, knocked down a pass, and had an interception that he returned 14 yards

Kyler Banfield – Winnipeg Rifles – he had 39 solo tackles, 13 assisted tackles, half a sack, blocked a kick, knocked down a pass, forced and recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass

Jon Banal – Valley Huskers – he had an eyepopping 50 solo tackles, had 14 assisted stops, two interceptions, recovered a fumble and returned it 109 yards for a touchdown, knocked down four passes, blocked a kick and had a sack

Defensive Backs
Kenley Williams – Okanagan Sun – he picked off five passes, and 13 tackles, three assists and four knockdowns

Raiden Mastin – Valley Huskers – he led the Conference with eight knockdowns, had 34 tackles, four assisted tackles, had two interceptions, and blocked a kick

Tanner Berezowski – Edmonton Huskies – he recovered a fumble and returned it 23 yards for touchdown to complement his 27 solo tackles, seven assisted tackles and knocked down a pass

Jacoby Dillon – Quinte Skyhawks – he collected four interceptions, had 27 tackles, knocked down a pass and forced a fumble

Felice Toscano – VI Raiders – he collected 33 tackles, four assisted stops, had four interceptions and four knockdowns

Return Specialist
Nick Szigeti – London Beefeaters (second consecutive season) – he collected 29 kick returns averaging 16 return yards and tallied two returns for touchdowns

The 2024 CJFL First Team All-Canadians will be announced on Thursday (tomorrow).

 

Playoff Players of the Week

By CJFL Media 10/22/2024, 8:30am PDT

The best performances from this past weekend

The CJFL is pleased to announce the Players of the Week following a playoff weekend that saw the BC and Prairie Conference champions crowd and a pair of Ontario Conference semi-finals.

Offensive Players of the Week


Prairie Conference
OL Caleb Barajas – Regina Thunder

In a game seemingly won in the trenches the Regina Thunder offensive line were tremendous against a very fast Hilltop line not allowing a sack nor a blocked kick.  Left guard Caleb Barajas was particularly good helping the Thunder running attack gain 321 yards en route to the Prairie Conference title.

BC Conference 
RB Elelyon Noa – Okanagan Sun

Whether he was lined up as a running back or in the quarterback position running the wildcat offence, Elelyon Noa of the Okanagan Sun was outstanding chewing up much needed yards in the Cullen Cup game.  He rushed 18 times for 72 yards and scored a touchdown and also leaked out of the backfield for three receptions for 32 yards.  In all he collected 104 yards of total offence. 

Ontario Conference 
RB LJ Dyer – London Beefeaters

For the third time in four weeks LJ Dyer has made his claim as to why he is the best running back in the conference. Leading an unstoppable rushing attack that piled up 312 yards on the ground, Dyer scored three touchdowns on 14 carries and gained 103 yards.  He also hauled in a reception for 33 yards as the all-star running back and his Beefeater teammates punched their ticket to the OFC final.

Defensive Players of the Week


Prairie Conference 
DB Tristan Berquist – Regina Thunder

Tristan Berquist was excellent in the Thunder secondary on Sunday afternoon especially down the stretch as the Hilltops were moving the football with time winding down.  Berquist had the coverage on the final play of the game with a desperation pass into the endzone and he didn’t allow his receiver an easy attempt at the ball.   In all, he made seven solo tackles and recorded three knockdowns.

BC Conference 
DB David Lewis – Okanagan Sun

What a game for defensive back David Lewis.  When the Sun needed a turnover in the Cullen Cup game, Lewis delivered.  He made three interceptions on the afternoon, all in big moments and took momentum away from the driving Rebels.  He also collected two knockdowns and made two solo tackles. 

Ontario Conference 
DL Kendy Montoban – St. Clair Saints

In what can only be described as a suffocating defensive performance, Kenny Montoban was a menace in the trenches for the defence as the Saints completely shut down the Sooners potent rushing attack limiting them to 27 net yards for the entire game.  Montoban had seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and when the Sooners attempted to pass the ball he racked up two sacks for an incredible 17 defensive points.

Special Teams Players of the Week


Prairie Conference 
DL Ryan Adamko – Saskatoon Hilltops 

He was great for the Hilltops coverage team, getting down the field and limiting the Thunder return game.  He had two special teams tackles and forced a fumble on a punt return.

BC Conference 
PK Liam Attwood – Okanagan Sun

Without his right leg, the Sun would not be on their way to the CJFL National Semi-Final game.  He booted three field goals during the Cullen Cup scoring 11 of the Sun 23 points including two giant field goals in the fourth quarter.  He was good from 31 and 26 yards breaking a tie and propelling the Sun to the victory.

Ontario Conference
KR Nick Szigeti – London Beefeaters

Showing why he is the two-time OFC return specialist conference all-star, Nick Szigeti had his Beefeater offense in great field position all game long.  The Skyhawks coverage units had no answer for Szigeti as he returned four punts for 140 yards with his longest return going for 62.  And when the Skyhawks tried to kick away from him, Szigeti didn’t let that stop him as he smartly picked up a fumbled kick return and returned it 41 yards for a total of 181 return yards (45.25 ave/rtn).