Ice Storm collect league honors
COLCHESTER -- The Vermont Ice Storm might have lost its undefeated season and chance to repeat as Empire Football League champions, but the Colchester-based team was front-and-center Monday when it came to the postseason awards.
Quarterback Brad Ruderman was named the EFL's first-team quarterback and the league's most valuable player on offense. Linebacker Del Randall was named a all-leage first-team defensive end and the league's most valuable player on defense.
The seven-team league also named Vermont coach Doug "Doc" Perez its coach of the year.
On Saturday night, the Quebec Titans scored a fourth quarter touchdown to slip past the Ice Storm, 12-10, in the EFL championship game at a soggy and rainy Colchester High School.
The Ice Storm, who finished 14-1, had handed Quebec (11-1) its only loss during the regular season, 21-14, at Colchester in July.
This year marks the first time a Canadian team has won the league championship, spokesman Dave Burch said in a news release.
Vermont's Austin Partain was named an all-league first team all-star at wide receiver and kick return. In all 23 Ice Storm players were honored at 25 positions. For the rest of the honores, see Scoreboard, Page 2D.
