6 Spartans win all-star berths

Members of the league champion GTA All-Stars may have dominated the NFC (Northern Football Conference) individual award listings unveiled on Thursday, but those who donned the colours of the Sudbury Spartans were not about to be left out in the cold.

Six representatives of the local club managed to secure all-star berths, including four on defense alone. The running back tandem of Josh Cuomo (1st team) and Scott Smith (2nd team) were also on board, with Englehart native and Waterloo Warrior hopeful Mark Hillock earning a first team nod at defensive end.

Teammates cracking the second team roster included veterans Joe Shyminsky and Kevin White on the line, as well as linebacker Erik Conrad.

Showing increased competitiveness this year, the Spartans hosted their first playoff game since 1994, falling to the Montreal Transit in post-season play.

Led by NFC MVP Tom Denison at quarterback, the GTA All-Stars captured league bragging rights with a 33-22 triumph over the Ottawa Invaders.

Posting an unblemished regular season mark of 8-0, followed by three straight victories in the playoffs, it came as little surprise when the GTA crew walked away with nine of the 12 individual honours that were doled out.

The All-Stars will look to retain the CMFL (Canadian Major Football League) crown that was captured last year year by the Montreal Transit, 49-26 winners over the Calgary Wolfpack.