Wednesday was division all-star day in the C-F-L.
Five members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders cracked the West Division dream team…guard Brendan LaBatte on offence, place-kicker Brett Lauther on special teams, halfback Ed Gainey plus book-ends Charleston Hughes and Willie Jefferson on defence. The division all-stars were selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada and C-F-L head coaches. Following is the news release from the Riders…
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR18-116
FIVE RIDERS NAMED WEST DIVISION ALL-STARS
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are pleased to announce that five of their players have been chosen to the CFL’s West Division all-star team. One player from the Green and White was selected on offence, one was picked on special teams and three were selected on defence.
The West Division all-stars were selected by members of the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) and CFL head coaches.
BRENDON LABATTE (GUARD): LaBatte just completed his 11th CFL season and seventh with the Riders. The University of Regina product played 18 regular-season games, spending time at left guard and centre. This is LaBatte’s ninth division all-star selection after previously being selected to the West Division squad from 2012-15 and 2017, and the East Division team from 2009-11 while with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
CHARLESTON HUGHES (DEFENSIVE END): For the third season in a row, Hughes led the CFL in quarterback sacks, picking up 15 through the 2018 regular season. The 34-year-old first-year Rider added 35 defensive tackles, three forced fumbles, two tackles for loss and one fumble return for a 57-yard touchdown. This is Hughes’ seventh West Division all-star selection after being previously honoured in 2010, 2012-13 and 2015-17.
WILLIE JEFFERSON (DEFENSIVE END): Jefferson started all 18 regular-season games on the Riders’ defensive line. The 27-year-old Texas native registered a career-high 10 quarterback sacks while registering 34 defensive tackles. Jefferson also added two interceptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns. This is Jefferson’s second career West Division all-star selection after previously being named in 2017. He was also named the Riders’ 2018 Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Defensive Player.
ED GAINEY (HALFBACK): Gainey started all 18 regular-season games in the Riders’ secondary, collecting 51 defensive tackles, two special-teams tackles, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble. He also added three interceptions for 78 return yards and a touchdown. This is Gainey’s second West Division all-star selection after previously being selected in 2017.
BRETT LAUTHER (KICKER): Lauther connected on 54 of 60 field-goal attempts (90%) including a 56-yard long. The 90% success rate is the second-best in franchise history and the 56-yarder is the seventh-longest successful kick. The 28-year-old had two games going a perfect 6-for-6 and another two connecting on all five field-goal attempts. This is Lauther’s first West Division all-star selection. He was also named the Riders’ 2018 Most Outstanding Special-Teams Player and Most Outstanding Canadian.
Below lists the complete 2018 West Division All-Stars.
QUARTERBACK – BO LEVI MITCHELL (Cgy)
RUNNING BACK – ANDREW HARRIS (Wpg)
RECEIVER – DARVIN ADAMS (Wpg)
RECEIVER – BRYAN BURNHAM (BC)
RECEIVER – DUKE WILLIAMS (Edm)
RECEIVER – KAMAR JORDEN (Cgy)
RECEIVER – DEREL WALKER (Edm)
TACKLE – STANLEY BRYANT (Wpg)
GUARD – SUKH CHUNGH (Wpg)
CENTRE – MATTHIAS GOOSSEN (Wpg)
GUARD – BRENDON LABATTE (Ssk)
TACKLE – DEREK DENNIS (Cgy)
DEFENSIVE END – CHARLESTON HUGHES (Ssk)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE – DAVON COLEMAN (BC)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE – MICAH JOHNSON (Cgy)
DEFENSIVE END – WILLIE JEFFERSON (Ssk)
LINEBACKER – ALEX SINGLETON (Cgy)
LINEBACKER – ADAM BIGHILL (Wpg)
LINEBACKER – OTHA FOSTER (BC)
CORNERBACK – ANTHONY ORANGE (BC)
HALFBACK – ED GAINEY (Ssk)
SAFETY – TAYLOR LOFFLER (Wpg)
HALFBACK – T.J. LEE (BC)
CORNERBACK – CIANTE EVANS (Cgy)
PUNTER – TY LONG (B.C.)
KICKER – BRETT LAUTHER (Ssk)
SPECIAL-TEAMS PLAYER – CHRIS RAINEY (BC)
