Timmis, Finch, Nominated for Hec Crighton Award

Earlier today, Football Canada sent out congratulations to two former Junior National Team players who have been nominated in their respective conferences for the Hec Crighton Trophy, given to the best university football player of the year. 

Will Finch, quarterback, Western:  Finch, a social science student from Burlington, Ont., set single-season OUA records with 3,047 passing yards in eight league games – the second highest total in CIS history – and a 69.7 completion percentage, the best in the country this fall. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound sophomore guided the nationally top-ranked Mustangs to their first 8-0 campaign since 1998 and is at the helm of an offensive unit which established a new OUA mark for most points scored in a season (458).

Mercer Timmis, running back, Calgary: Timmis, also from Burlington, led CIS in rushing yards (1,157) as well as all-purpose touchdowns (19) and rushing majors (18), both Canada West season records. With 114 points, the 6-foot-1, 210-pound business student became the first non-kicker to lead the conference in scoring since 2006, while helping the No. 3-ranked Dinos to their first-ever undefeated campaign.

Guess Burlington is well represented as well!  This Calgary Sun article describes their relationship.

Long before they were smashing CIS records on opposite sides of the country, Mercer Timmis and Will Finch were terrorizing opponents together in the Toronto suburb where they grew up.

After years of sharing the football with the Burlington Stampeders, the two sophomore stars will be facing off for the first time Saturday when the Timmis’ Calgary Dinos (10-0) host Finch’s Western Mustangs (10-0) in the Mitchell Bowl (2 p.m., McMahon Stadium, Sportsnet 360).

“Will’s dad was actually our youth football coach,” said Timmis, who set single-season Canada West records this year for rushing touchdowns (18) and all-purpose touchdowns (19).

“Since then, we were pretty much on every team together growing up until high school.”

The two were so close that, as they neared the end of high school, they discussed the possibility of joining forces at McMaster University.

Ultimately, the two friends decided to go their separate ways but have checked up on each other throughout the season.

Both have also participated in the International Bowl.  Coincidentally, Will Finch gets a fair bit of mention in the post from Monday about the World Team's first victory in that game.

At the 2012 Junior World Championship, Finch was among eight Canadians named to the all-tournament team.

No.   Pos.    Name
12     QB     Will Finch
23     WR     Doug Corby
69     OL     Louis-Gabriel Beaudet
55     DL     Edward Godin-Gosselin
97     DL     Charles Remy-Sarrazin
25     LB     John Rush
21     DB     Kevin McGee
14     PK     Louis-Phillipe Simoneau

Canadian quarterback Will Finch, who completed 19 of 29 pass attempts for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns, was joined by his favourite receiver Doug Corby, who had 12 receptions for a tournament-high 290 yards and 2 touchdowns.

While we're on the subject of awards...

Canada Defensive Back Kevin McGee was named Tournament MVP on a night when his two interceptions helped to shut down the United States as Canada won the Gold Medal.

We'll check back on the results a little later.