Bulldogs awards and Mathon heads to the Hall

Bulldog award winners show off their hardware. (Left to Right) Kwadwo Adusei, Anthony Gauthier, Russ Burns, Jordan Piche, Marc Mathon, Brian Samson, Matt Gordon and Bryden Berkvens. Missing are Nick Greaves and Randy Nodder. Photo by Krysta Frederick.

The North Bay Bulldogs handed out their annual player awards during halftime of the Super Bowl at the Moose’s Loose Change Lodge Sunday. The yearly event recognizes the players who won league awards and all-stars from the previous season as well as the team awards voted on by the players.

League award winners included the team’s only first team all-star Kwadwo Adusei who was honoured as a kick returner. 2nd team all-star awards went to defensive players Randy Nodder and Brian Samson who won for linebacker and defensive back respectively.

Also presented with league wide hardware was linebacker Anthony Gauthier who was named defensive player of the week for week six of 2008. Gauthier had 7.5 tackles, a batted ball and a forced fumble in a win against Kingston that week.

In the team awards category, running back Matt Gordon was named Offensive Player of the Year while Samson was named Defensive Player of the Year. Offensive Lineman of the Year went to Bryden Berkvens and last year’s Rookie of the Year Nick Greaves took home Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Adusei was definitely the big winner on the night as he added to his first team all-star with two team awards. He was named as the 2008 Rookie of the Year and Special Teams Player of the Year.

The 13th Man award, given to the person whose dedication goes beyond the field of play to ensure the success of the team went to trainer Jordan Piche.

There were co-winners of the Rich Begin award for 2008, the honour named for the former ‘Dogs player who passed away in 2003. Begin was a founder of the Bulldogs franchise and a strong off field supporter of the team. As a player he always played at full speed whether in practice or a game and the award is given to the player who best shows the same attributes as Begin on and off the field. The players vote was split this year between Gordon and veteran defensive back Russ Burns who were both extremely honoured to win the award.

Mathon a Hall of Famer

The highest honour of the night went to Bulldogs head coach Marc Mathon who was named a 2008 NFC Hall of Fame inductee as a player/builder. Mathon was nominated for the award by long time rivals the Oakville Longhorns and was voted in at the recent league general meeting.

Mathon began his career in the NFC as a player with the North Bay Northmen in the early 1980’s; he then moved on to play for the Sudbury Spartans winning several league championships. In 2000 Mathon joined the Bulldogs as head coach and has since added the role of team president. Mathon has also been very active on the league’s executive committee and currently holds the posting of league secretary. Mathon will be inducted this summer during halftime of the Bulldogs game in Oakville along with former Longhorn Karl Kustor.

Submitted to BayToday.ca