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This article was published 18/12/2022 (922 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was a rough season for the Steinbach Regional Secondary School (SRSS) Sabres football teams, as both their varsity and junior varsity crews were winless on the season.

That didn’t stop optimism from flying around during the team’s annual banquet Dec. 8. It was the program’s first-such banquet since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The optimism wasn’t without merit, according to program head Jamie Peters. It was Steinbach’s first season playing in the top division of Manitoba high school football since the pandemic and the quest to build the program back to the highest level in the province has only just begun.

No players on either SRSS roster had experience in division one football.

“It was difficult, it was challenging, but we can all sit in this room tonight and know that we competed at the absolute highest level in the province,” Peters said.

“We battled every single day to get better, and we got better.”

Peters referenced the program’s motto, “be better,” as words to live by moving forward.

“These two simple words are the backbone of what we believe in,” Peters said.

“We want our players to be better in everything that they do. We want them to give their best effort, and if they have given everything that they have, in every aspect of their lives, then that’s all we can ask for.”

Building the program back up isn’t something new for Peters, who has been with the team since day one. The Sabres started out 0-13 over their first two seasons in division three and battled through a tough season in the program’s first season in division one in 2017.

“Where the success will translate into wins will come with time,” Peters said.

“I understand (how a winless season) works. It’s not easy. But most things that you want to achieve in life are not easy.”

Many players were honoured for their efforts on and off the field during the season.

Austin Neufeld was a two-way player throughout most of the year for the varsity team, racking up yards on the ground and tackles in the defensive backfield. He was given the program’s leadership award.

“A true leader, a successful leader is one who supports those around them,” coach Andrew George said, noting Neufeld was always quick to lend a hand to teammates.

“I can tell you, you want this player on your team, in your classroom, or if you own a business, on your staff. He’s going to take every opportunity to make both himself and others around him better.”

The offensive player of the year award for the varsity Sabres was a bit unorthodox this season. The coaching staff decided to reward the entire offensive line, with six players coming up to receive the plaque adorned with “the hoggies.”

“Being good at football requires some simple ingredients,” varsity head coach Stephan Fedus said while introducing the award.

“Show up every day, take coaching, work as hard as you can, do what’s best for the team, be committed to yourself and your teammates, execute your job at the best of your ability every day. Add that all up and you get dicipline. It’s hard. It’s painful. But the pain of discipline will lead to success.”

Kean Thorvaldson, Myles Peters, Mack Weibe, Luke Toews, Austin Dyck and Benson Gruninger. Gruninger was also named the varsity Sabres lineman of the year.

The “hoggies” also boasted the varsity team’s most valuable player as Myles Peters took home the award. Fedus said the lineman completely embodied the “be better” motto.

“He’s big, physical, strong, athletic, and a little bit nasty,” Fedus said, noting Myles makes every player around him better during a game.

“He has all the attributes you could want in a football player. He’s also tough, courageous and willing to sacrifice for the benefit of the team by playing whatever role his coaches ask of him.”

Fedus recalled during an away game during this season Peters called his mother to let her know despite committing to only playing on one side of the ball due to injury, he was feeling good and was going to be playing both ways.

Nigel Reader was named as the junior varsity MVP.

The final program-wide award given out during the banquet was the legacy award, given to a player who has made a lasting impact on Sabres football. This year’s recipient was Eric Martens.

Jamie Peters said Martens was cruicial in creating a complete team atmosphere between the junior varsity and varsity teams throughout his four years on the field, adding when the junior varsity team was founded in 2017, it felt like there were two separate programs.

“As coaches, we wanted to bring those players closer together to become one big family, but two teams,” Peters said.

“This was a challenge and remains a challenge. You’re bringing together players who span across four years, four grade levels ranging from 14-18. There is a lot of maturation (and sometimes not enough) between those ages.”

Peters wasn’t even able to see the field during his final year with the program, suffering a devastating injury during the Canada Cup this summer. Peters said instead of moping when it was clear he wouldn’t make it back in time to play, Martens dedicated his time to helping the program in any way he could by coaching, leading the team and boosting morale.

It’s just another example of the way Martens helped bridge the divide between the junior varsity and varsity programs.

“(Martens), and the way he lead during his time with the program, made (joining the two programs) easier,” Jamie Peters said.

“We cannot thank you enough for helping create an inclusive, positive and safe environment for all of our players.”

The work of the football team isn’t stopping for the off-season, as many of the players are enrolled in a weight-lifting program to help build up strength and athleticism for next season, where the team hopes to find the win column once again.

SRSS Football Awards 2022

Junior Varsity Awards

Most Improved Player: Matt Reeves

Top Lineman: Zeke Schumacher

Top Special Teams Player: Zach Vogt

Top Offensive Player: Josiah Grenier

Top Defensive Player: Jack Leppelmann

Most Valuable Player: Nigel Reader

Varsity Awards

Most Improved Player: Brayden Dyck

Top Lineman: Benson Gruninger

Top Special Teams Player: Brady Dornez

Top Offensive Player: The Hoggies (OL)

Top Defensive Player: Mason Funk

Most Valuable Player: Myles Peters

Program Awards

Koby Memorial Award: Colter Reed

Leadership: Austin Neufeld

Legacy: Eric Martens