On Tuesday, October 27th, SaultSports officially announced the nominees for the 2026 Sault Ste. Marie High School Football Awards, recognizing the outstanding performances, dedication, and hard work of student-athletes throughout the junior and senior football seasons. The nominees represented schools across the city, highlighting the talent, determination, and competitive spirit that continue to make high school football an exciting part of the local sports community.
Now, on Thursday, October 29th, SaultSports is proud to announce the 2026 Sault Ste. Marie High School Football Award Winners, along with the 2026 Senior High School Football All-Star Team! These announcements celebrate the student-athletes who made a significant impact throughout the season, recognizing individual excellence, leadership, and contributions to their respective teams.
Join us as we honour this year’s award recipients and recognize the senior players selected to represent the best of Sault Ste. Marie high school football during the 2026 season.
Junior
Most Outstanding Player (Nick Farris Memorial Trophy)
Nominees: Deegan Desjardin (St Mary’s Knights), Connor Williamson (Korah Colts), Ben Campbell (Superior Heights Steelhawks), Jaxon Faubert-Kline (White Pines Wolverines)
Winner: Deegan Desjardin (St Mary’s Knights)
Most Outstanding Lineman (Curtis Grandmont Trophy)
Nominees: Cooper Woods (St Mary’s Knights), Brock Biagini (Korah Colts), Taitum Rushon (Superior Heights Steelhawks), Bryson Johnson (White Pines Wolverines)
Winner: Brock Biagini (Korah Colts)
Offensive Player of the Year (Rushon Family Trophy)
Nominees: Landon Chiarot (St Mary’s Knights), Davian Clarke (Korah Colts), Brydan Wootton (Superior Heights Steelhawks), Lucian Tadla-Chillman (White Pines Wolverines)
Winner: Landon Chiarot (St Mary’s Knights)
Defensive Player of the Year (Steeler Trophy)
Nominees: Russell Pine (St Mary’s Knights), Jake Damignani (Korah Colts), Dom Ryan (Superior Heights Steelhawks), Landon Belleau (White Pines Wolverines)
Co-Winners: Russell Pine (St Mary’s Knights)/Dom Ryan (Superior Heights Steelhawks)
Senior
Most Outstanding Player (Alex Denman Memorial Trophy)
Nominees: Payton Melchiorre (Korah Colts), Aaron Juma (St Mary’s Knights), Chase Cerasuolo (Superior Heights Steelhawks)
Winner: Payton Melchiorre (Korah Colts)
Most Outstanding Lineman (Gord Hargreaves Trophy)
Nominees: Evan Boville (Korah Colts), Michael Omabuike (St Mary’s Knights), Lucas Cruickshank (Superior Heights Steelhawks)
Co-Winners: Evan Boville (Korah Colts)/Michael Omabuike (St Mary’s Knights)
Most Outstanding Player (Rocky DiPietro Trophy)
Nominees: Greyson Avery (Korah Colts), Cole Rivet (ST Mary’s Knights), Ryan Oliver (Superior Heights Steelhawks)
Winner: Greyson Avery (Korah Colts)
Offensive Player of the Year (Sault Sabercats Trophy)
Nominees: Brett Koski (Korah Colts), Hunter Jackson (St Mary’s Knights), Ty Cond (Superior Heights Steelhawks)
Winner: Hunter Jackson (St Mary’s Knights)
Defensive Player of the Year (Steeler Trophy)
Nominees: Logan Lajunen (Korah Colts), Ashton Neufeld (St Mary’s Knights), Griffin Delparte (Superior Heights Steelhawks)
Co-Winners: Logan Lajunen (Korah Colts), Ashton Neufeld (St Mary’s Knights)
Senior Allstar Team
Korah Colts
Payton Melchiorre, Logan Lajunen, Nolan Deluca, Evan Boville, Greyson Avery, Ryder Strachan, AJ Coccimiglio, Jaiden Kaldma, Brett Koski, Colton MacLeod, Wyatt Jaeger
St Mary’s Knights
Hunter Jackson, Aaron Juma, Mike Omabuike, Ashton Neufeld, Landen Cerenzia, Luke Cady, Adam Provenzano, Cole Rivet, Heath Desjardin
Superior Heights Steelhawks
Lucas Cruickshank, Daxton Billingsley, Drayden Brock, Marcus Gould, Cruz Dias, Griffin Delparte, Chase Cereasuolo
