Another bad news hit the Hamilton Tigers cats: the head coach has shed painful tears due to the Brandon decision.
The East Division all-star team for Wednesday’s game had 13 Hamilton Tiger-Cats, with record-breaking receiver Brandon Banks at the top of the list.
Banks was the CFL’s top receiver at the end of the regular season. With a club-record 112 catches for 1,550 yards and 13 touchdowns, the five-foot-seven, 150-pound dynamo secured Hamilton’s nomination for the league’s finest player award.
Additionally, Banks has been chosen an East Division all-star for six seasons running. Along with setting a single-season record for regular-season victories, Hamilton (15-3) boasts a franchise-best 13 division all-stars.
The following Ticats were also named to the East team: guard Brandon Revenberg, tackles Chris Van Zeyl and Ryker Matthews, and receiver Bralon Addison. The defense players for Hamilton are linebacker Simoni Lawrence, defensive lineman Dylan Wynn and Ja’Gared Davis, Tunde Adeleke, the safety, Richard Leonard, the halfback, and cornerback Delvin Breaux.
All-star selections were also earned by returner Frankie Williams and kicker Lirim Hajrullahu.
The Football Reporters of Canada and the nine head coaches of the CFL cast their votes.
One of the nine all-star selections for the Montreal Alouettes was quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. Running back Will Stanback, linebacker Henoc Muamba, defensive backs Tommy Campbell, Patrick Levels, and Greg Reid, receiver Eugene Lewis, center Kristian Matte, and defensive lineman John Bowman also joined him on the team.
Three players from the Toronto Argonauts were selected: defensive lineman Cleyon Laing, receivers Derel Walker and S.J. Green, and punter Richie Leone. Ottawa’s candidates were guard Nolan MacMillian and punter Richie Leone.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo was one of eight players from the Saskatchewan Roughriders who were selected for the West Division team. Furthermore, Shaq Evans, the wide receiver, linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Derek Moncrief, punter Jon Ryan, offensive lineman Dan Clark, and defensive lineman Charleston Hughes were also mentioned.
Six Calgary Stampeders, including receiver Reggie Begelton, were named to the team. The others included Eric Rogers, another receiver, halfback DaShaun Amos, offensive linemen Derek Dennis and Shane Bergman, and cornerback Tre Roberson.
Leading CFL rusher Andrew Harris was chosen ahead of the six Winnipeg Blue Bombers and received his sixth all-star nomination. In addition, defensive lineman Willie Jefferson, offensive lineman Stanley Bryant (who has been the CFL’s best lineman the last two years), defensive backs Winston Rose and Marcus Sayles, and special teams star Mike Miller were chosen.
