Estevan’s Hunter Eagles has been named the MVP of the Sask. Selects Under-14 (U14) team that competed at the International Pigskin Classic in San Antonio, Texas, last month.
Eagles played middle and outside linebacker on defence, and also returned punts and kickoffs and was involved in special teams coverage. He was presented with the award during an awards banquet in Moose Jaw on Saturday night.
“Just hearing my name, getting called up there and walking up, I was pretty nervous,” said Eagles. “I couldn’t really feel my legs when I was walking up.”
He was selected for the award because he was a player that teammates relied on and trusted, regardless of the situation.
The Sask. Selects, who finished fourth in the tournament, had a lot of players who were deserving of the award, according to Eagles, including Rhett Vavra of Swift Current, who is a good friend of Eagles, and played great when he was down there.
Eagles has been part of the Sask. Selects program for the past four years. This year was a lot of fun, and while he would have liked to have come home with a medal, it was still a great experience.
He credits the program for allowing him to make big strides as an athlete.
“They bring in a bunch of coaches from U Sports (Canadian university league) and colleges, and all of that stuff, and it’s just a big step with skill and technique and everything,” said Eagles.
Every other weekend he was in Moose Jaw for practice, and then a month before the tournament, weekly practices again.
The Sask Selects program has allowed him to make a lot of friends. And there were several local players on the team.
Eagles is grateful for the support of coaches, teammates and family, and looks forward to remaining part of the program. Next year he’ll be on the varsity team, which would allow him to play under the lights at the Pigskin Classic.
