A trio of Airdrie Irish players were named to the Alberta Football League (AFL) first and second all-star teams Aug. 18, along with three other players receiving honourable mention nods.

Having a handful of players recognized across the league for their contributions ended the Irish’s season on a positive note, especially with the number of players recognized.

“This is probably the most we have ever had (named),” Irish president Matt Squires said. “It’s a really good way to end the season and having some of our guys recognized. It’s tough to get an all-star nod, so it’s good to see that.”

Among the players named to the defensive first all-star team was third year defensive lineman Tyler Langlais, who helped lead the Irish to its best season statistically and was one of the stingiest defences to play against throughout the 2017 regular season.

Langlais finished the regular season leading the AFL in sacks (8.5), fumble recoveries (three), tied for third in forced fumbles (three), 13th in total tackles (29) and returned a fumble for a major score in the regular season.

“(Langlais) being named was outstanding as a first team all-star and highest vote–getter, too,” Squires said. “It’s a league vote, so every team does its selections for first and second team all-stars and we can’t vote for our own players. It’s a reception from the other team and who is the hardest players to play against.”

Linebacker Anton Bellot and offensive lineman Josh Comeau were also named to the All AFL second teams. Comeau came out of retirement prior to the 2017 campaign and bolstered the Irish’s offensive line, helping the offence put together its most consistent season in the team’s three-year history.

Bellot joined the Irish during the 2016 season and followed up an impressive first year with an even more outstanding sophomore campaign, where he finished amongst the top of every defensive statistical category including tackles, sacks, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and interceptions.

The Irish also had three players receive honourable mentions for this past season. Among those players were first-year running back Braxton Hyland, who finished the season third in rushing yards with 437 yards on 84 carries, adding four touchdowns to his resume.

Alongside Comeau, Brent Scherschel was a force on the offensive line, protecting starting quarterback Andrew Stannix and providing key blocking for the team’s running game to earn an honourable mention.

“Our running game was by far the best I have ever seen for this team,” Squires said. “Having those guys there really helped us.”

Defensive leader, middle linebacker Gunnar Godhe rounded out the honourable mentions for the Irish following another impressive campaign in his eighth season in the AFL.

The Airdrie Irish senior men’s football team accomplished a major milestone following an impressive 39-14 victory over the Lloydminster Vandals July 8, going .500 for the first time in franchise history.

The win not only brings the Irish to a 3-3 record on the season, but also shows major strides the team has made two thirds of its way through the franchise’s third year in Airdrie.

“This club has never been at .500, so it’s a good achievement for these guys and they’re starting to turn a corner,” head coach Sean Stewart said. “(We’re) getting to where we want to have the program. The guys are coming together at the right time.”

One emphasis Stewart said he has been preaching to his team for most of the 2017 campaign is the idea of playing as a team and trusting the other players. He said the team’s win over the Vandals was a major step forward in that regard.

“We still had some mental mistakes, but the guys responded well,” Stewart said. “We’re losing the individuals and we’re gaining the team.”

The team rallied around one another despite giving up an early first quarter touchdown and struggling offensively on the first two drives of the game to overcome the then-3-2 Vandals and walk out of week six in a playoff position.

Although the offence couldn’t get any early momentum – going two and out on its first drive and quarterback Andrew Stannix throwing an interception in the Vandals’ endzone on the second drive – it was the defence that got the ball rolling, as a fumble recovered by James McNeill was taken to the house, knotting the game up at 7-7.

In the second quarter, the Irish offence started marching the ball well on the Lloydminster defence. With Stannix connecting with Wes White early in the quarter and James Balsdon on a third down gamble in the final minute, the Irish took a 21-7 lead into halftime.

The Irish kept the pressure on in the second half, with running back Braxton Hyland breaking out for a huge 60-yard touchdown scramble just minutes into the half to add to the Irish lead.

“I didn’t know I had it in me to be honest. There was a hole and I just found it,” Hyland said.

The Vandals answered back with a touchdown of its own on the ensuing drive to get back within two touchdowns, but that would be as close as it would get that afternoon.

The Irish tacked on a punt single, field goal and fake field goal touchdown in the final minute of the game to stifle the Vandals en route to the 39-14 victory.

“Our defence is very strong. It definitely helps us out,” Stewart said. “Now that our offence is clicking as well, it definitely helps. We can play the field management game and the defence gets the rest. Now that both sides are working well, lets see what happens.”

The win was the Irish’s third of the season and put it into a three-way tie for fifth in the Alberta Football League standings.

The season continues for the team July 15 when it welcomes the 3-2 Central Alberta Buccaneers to Ed Eggerer Athletic Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

The Airdrie Irish’s three-year struggle to find an experienced quarterback behind centre may have come to an end, with Andrew Stannex stepping in and making an immediate impact.

Stannex has spent the last 11 seasons playing for the Central Alberta Buccaneers in the Alberta Football League (AFL).

“The Buccaneers were a great team to be around, but I couldn’t see myself going back,” Stannex said. “(The Irish) has all the pieces and a great coaching staff and that is something very rare. The coaching staff was a big (factor) for me.”

Stannex added the team presented him the opportunity to be a leader and mentor for the young squad and help the team progress in the league.

“There are some good quarterbacks on the team, they’re just young,” Stannex said. “Some of these younger kids can run around and throw the ball better than me. But the biggest thing is when they get into a game, they deal with a lot of pressure and haven’t had time to sit behind somebody and see what people do to deal with that pressure.”

The 29-year-old said he had intentions of putting an end to his football career following the conclusion of his 11-year tenure with the Buccaneers, but found himself itching to return to the gridiron following a year of schooling at the University of Calgary.

Although he has predominantly played quarterback during his time in the AFL, Stannex was not always a play-caller. He started out as a receiver during his high school years in Innisfail as a member of the Edmonton Huskies in the Canadian Junior Football League, as well as in his first season with the Buccaneers.

“(Early on), it was a lot of zone read plays and running around the field and not really throwing too much,” Stannex said. “It was hard to work in the throw mechanics at that time. I have played some good players with (U SPORTS) experience, so being able to learn from them and garner that shaped me into what I am now.”

Stannex intended to join the Irish in May, but couldn’t commit to the practice and game schedule early on, so he joined the team prior to its fourth game of the season June 17 against the Calgary Gators.

Despite not winning his first game as a member of the Irish, Stannex gave the team some sound play behind centre and helped keep the game close against the threatening Gators.

In his second game June 24 against the Grande Prairie Drillers, Stannex helped lead the Irish to its second win of the campaign, knocking off the Drillers 44-13 and getting the Irish to 2-3, moving the team into fifth place in the league.

Stannex said the systems in place and talent level was there for a successful team, but his experience has helped it improve immensely in two games and the team now has a newfound confidence.

“I think with the talent that we have, we can probably win out against anybody,” Stannex said.

With three games left, Stannex and the rest of the Irish have a chance at putting together the teams’ first winning season in franchise history, and can make a push for the post-season.

The Irish season continues July 8 when the 3-2 Lloydminster Vandals visits the Irish. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ed Eggerer Athletic Park.

The Irish stormed in for the first home game in Airdrie, defeating the Parkland Predators 29 to 8.

“It feels good to get our first win of the year,” said Jason Warnock, defensive coach for the team.

The team’s first game of the year in Airdrie was greeted with wind, rain and cold.

“It’s a shame the weather was so bad, I’m hoping the weather will be better for the next one to get the community and the fans to come out,” said Warnock.

The Irish have had a rough start to the season, and are looking to make changes and start winning more games.

The win came after losing their first game 88 to 0 against the Fort McMurray Monarchs and their second game 44 to 10 against the St. Albert Stars.

“The wins will come, but the important part is attracting the right players and creating a long standing program with roots in the community,” said Warnock.

The team is in its third year of expansion in the Alberta Football League (AFL).

As a reality the new team, this is their third season, the Irish face a unique struggle in continuing to grow and build up their success.

“As an expansion team we always have challenges,” said Warnock.

The team is focussed on building of their experiences from last year to begin playing harder and better each game this season.

The team has a plan to improve over the course of the season. They are focused on building the team’s fundamental of play, promoting player culture and actively recruiting more players.

“There are so many aspects to improvement and identifying areas that can be impacted and worked out,” said Warnock, explaining how different aspects will help focus on ensuring that the talent is coached up to match the teams overall goals.

These factors will help the team to better work as a cohesive unit and bring them success on the field.

“You want to do your best and be respectful, while doing your best to win,” said Warnock.

A positive and respectful culture will be critical in the team’s success.

“We have a full coaching staff with lots of experience,” said Warnock

The coaches of the team are going to use their years of knowledge to help the team chase success during the AFL season.

The greatest strength of the team lies in the Irish’s defence and evolving offense. The intense aggressiveness and talent of the defence is making the team major competitors, said Warnock.

“We’re trying to start moving up in the AFL.”

Airdrie Irish head coach Sean Stewart was one of eight league alumni inducted into the Alberta Football League (AFL) Hall of Fame for his contributions as a player on Sept. 1.

Stewart played with the Calgary Thunder and most recently with the Calgary Wolfpack before retiring three years ago and picking up the bench boss role with the Irish for the 2016 season.

“To be honoured by my peers and guys I played with was great,” said Stewart, who was a safety, slot back, punter and occasionally a receiver during his time in the AFL.

“It means my peers respected what I did both on and off the field.”

Stewart was always a team captain with the Thunder or Wolfpack and was named to the league all-star team every year, except 2012, his last, due to injury.

He won three AFL and two national championships in a couple of stints in the AFL between the late 1990s and 2012.

He joined the Calgary Thunder when the team was added to the league.

“I always wanted to play against us [the Wolfpack],” said Stewart. “At the time we were the best of the best, and I wanted to see what it was like to play against that.”

The 42 year old has three decades of the sport under his belt. He played with three of the eight 2016 inductees with the Wolfpack and in high school and junior.

Stewart and Hugues Audet graduated high school together in Calgary. Stewart also played with inductees Brian Harrison and Tim Johnson while with the Calgary Colts.

Team president Matt Squires validated Stewart, a former teammate with

the Wolfpack.

“Sean was definitely a dynamic player, he was very involved,” said Squires, describing him as a player-coach before he hung up his cleats.

Squires said Stewart was always a positive force on the bench and the field, encouraging his teammates just as he now encourages his team.

Squires and Stewart also played on the Wolfpack together.

“He’s definitely seeing what the AFL could be and helping it grow and improve,” said Squires of Stewart.

The Hall of Fame was an initiative started in 2015 to recognize retired players’ contributions.

There were 30 players inducted last year to mark the 30th anniversary of the league, including Irish linebacker coach Jason Warnock.

The Airdrie Irish football team is readying for the first game of the season on May 28 when it visits the Lloydminster Vandals.

Head coach Sean Stewart started putting the players through their paces in the first outdoor practice of the year on Bert Church High School’s field, April 30.

“Guys are excited, guys are ready to go,” said Stewart. “I was very happy with what I saw day one.”

Stewart is stepping into the bench boss role for the team’s 2015-debut, taking over from coach Rob Geissmann.

Stewart said he’s training his players on a different playbook from what he called last year’s “basic” one, which resulted in a 2-6 record.

“We’ve got different schemes,” he said. “[We] want to make opponents make mistakes.”

Stewart said fans can expect movement on the offence and disguised plays on defence to keep the opponents off-guard.

“We’re trying to get everybody to dance on the defensive side of the ball, so nobody knows where they’re lining up,” he said. “We’re trying to use the scheme as an extra player.”

The Irish have several new players with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) backgrounds, including 2015 University of Calgary Dinos linebacker Anton Bellot.

“It’s definitely going to help us,” said Stewart. “This league itself is getting a lot better. We have a lot more CIS guys coming in, a lot more junior guys coming in, so the talent pool itself in the whole league is taking a couple steps up over the last couple of years.”

The roster hadn’t been finalized as of press time and President Matt Squires said there has been numerous changes, noting the Alberta Football League season team is still recruiting.

He expects some players to join the men’s team following cuts from the Dinos and the Calgary Colts junior camps in the last two weeks.

Squires noted competing with the Irish is a gives players right out of high school the chance to strengthen their skills.

Bert Church tailback Josh Bromfield has committed to play with the Irish following his senior year, and Chestermere native, and Airdrie Northern Raiders alumnus Morgan Hides is looking to help fill the quarterback role for the team alongside George McDougall alumnus Jordan Groves.

Schedule

The Irish will hit the turf for the green and gold intersquad match at noon May 15 at Ed Eggerer Field (behind Genesis Place).

The team visits the Lloydminster Vandals, May 28 for the season opener. They are also scheduled to visit the Edmonton Raiders, June 4.

The Irish is scheduled to host four home games in a row this season.

The Fort McMurray Monarchs visit at 5 p.m., June 11, the Calgary Wolfpack at 3 p.m., June 19; the St. Albert Stars at 3 p.m., June 25; and the Calgary Gators at 3 p.m., July 9. The Irish wrap up the season visiting the Grande Prairie Drillers on July 16 and the Central Alberta Buccaneers in Lacombe on July 23.