The votes are in for the Player of The Year Award. The coaches and journalists have voted for the best offensive and defensive player of the year. This season the offensive title goes to Shaun Rutherford, SBB Vukovi’s quarterback and defensive award is won by Đorđe Petrović, Wild Boars’ cornerback.
Shaun Rutherford played at Texas State University before beginning his international career in Serbia this season. He didn’t miss a beat continuing the path of three previous SBB Vukovi quarterbacks who all won Player of The Year Awards. He passed for 1045 yards and ran for 464, tallying 17 touchdowns, 8 through the air and 9 rushing. Other players who received votes for the offensive Player of The Year Award this season are running backs Mihailo Josović from SBB Vukovi and Gregor Črepinšek from the Silverhawks, as well as Anthony Washington, SBB Vukovi’s wide receiver.
We broke the news to Shaun Rutherford and noted his first response: „I am very humbled and grateful to have been presented the offensive Player of The Year Award. There are many other players on my team and throughout the League who this award could’ve gone to.” When asked about the upcoming finals game predictions he stated: “Leading up to the CEFL Bowl I expect a dog fight for all 4 quarters. The Silverhawks have a good team and they’re well coached.”
The votes for this season’s defensive Player of The Year were much more dispersed than last year. In 2013 Miloš Lišanin grabbed all votes but one which went to Đorđe Petrović, this year’s winner. Here’s what this 19 year old Wild Boars’ cornerback had to say about the accolade:
“I’m proud to have been voted the defensive Player of The Year in a very tough competition. Last season was very successful for me as I practiced intensely over the whole year, developing in both junior and senior teams, as well as the national team. I’ve been voted Serbian junior league MVP and took part at IFAF World Development Team Camp at Florida. All of that along with my coaches’ and senior players’ advice has contributed to my sound play on defense. I emphasize that team work is the most important at everything, especially in this sport and that only team unity can distinguish any one individual. Always put your heart on the field!”
Other players who have been nominated for defensive Player of The Year Award this season include Shane Wong from the Wild Boars along with Marko Milovanović from SBB Vukovi and his teammate, Miloš Lišanin.