Weber to be awarded Mitchell/Avery Memorial Award

West Ferris Trojans Senior Quarterback, Daniel Weber, is the 2004 winner of the Mitchell/Avery Memorial Award. The award goes to the person in the North Bay area who has contributed the most to the game of football for a number of years and is chosen by the NDA coaches and media.

Weber didn’t start playing football until Grade 11 where he made an impact as a receiver/punt return. That year he helped lead the Trojans to an NDA title.

The following season Daniel switched positions and took on the quarterback duties of a very complex offence. All he did in his first year at the helm was throw 17 touchdown passes, run for 3, and lead an offence that scored over 375 points (averaging 41 points/game). He was selected the NDA offensive player of the year, an all-star at his position, and team’s MVP. Once again the Trojans won the NDA championship but lost a heartbreaker in overtime to the eventual Central Ontario Bowl champions, St. Mary’s Knights.

This year, Daniel had to assume a different role due to the graduation of a number of players. After suffering an opening day loss to the Wildcats the Trojans made a few adjustments and reeled off 7 straight victories and won their third consecutive NDA championship. Daniel finished the season throwing for 11 touchdowns and running for 7 touchdowns. In his final games at Wilfred Laurier in the Northern Bowl, Daniel saved his best for his last game as a Trojan. He ran for a touchdown, threw for two 2nd half touchdowns, and had 11 carries for 89 yards, to lead the Trojans to a 25-22 come-from-behind victory over a team from Thunder Bay. Beset by injuries, Daniel played the entire 2nd half without coming off the field, playing quarterback, defensive back, and performing all the place-kicking, kick-off and punting duties.

Once again he was selected the league’s MVP and an all-star at the quarterback position.

“It really is a unique and special situation to have an athlete, especially at the Quarterback position, who possesses both the physical and mental toughness that Daniel has, but also the willingness to work at it tirelessly," said Jason Ferreira, his offensive coach at West Ferris.

"He is definitely a rare breed, and we were absolutely lucky, privileged to have him with us”.

West Ferris Trojans Head Coach Larry Tougas believes Weber deserves the award.

“Daniel Weber is a great leader, a great student/athlete, a great competitor, but even more, a great person,” said Tougas.

Daniel will receive his award at the North Bay Sport hall of Fame induction awards dinner on April 16 2005.

Submitted to BayToday.ca