Handing out the hardware

Last night was the CFL Players Awards gala honouring the best in the CFL and CIS, and Hamilton was well represented.

Last year the Ticats’ Chris Williams took home rookie of the year. This year the 25 year old was named special teams player of the year. Over the first nine games this season Williams set a CFL record, returning six kicks for touchdowns, 5 of them on punts.

The most outstanding player award in the CFL went to Chad Owens. The Toronto Argo receiver/kick returner set a pro football record with 3,863 all purpose yards. Jon Cornish of the Calgary Stampeders was the runner-up in that category, but did win the outstanding Canadian award.

The CIS awards were also handed out and McMaster’s Kyle Quinlan won the major piece of hardware: the Hec Crighton trophy. The 23 year old, fifth year quarterback has led the undefeated Marauders into tonight’s Vanier Cup game. When CHCH News chatted with him afterward, all his focus was on winning back-to-back Vanier Cups.

“obviously the biggest prize is still out there. This is a great honour but individual awards are something you look back on after the season, and we have a good opportunity to still be playing football right now so you’re right.”

It was a great night for Mac that began with the colourful and talented Ben D’Aguilar being presented the JP Metras trophy as the top defensive lineman in the CIS. The product of Barton Secondary School recorded a single-season CIS record 12 and a half quarterback sacks.

Laval and Mac go at it at the Rogers Centre tonight in front of a record crowd of over 33,000. Game time is 7:30.

Video: News Now coverage: