Local faces will be representing Bonnyville on Football Alberta's teams this year.
Quarterback Silas Fagnan was chosen to be part of the Senior Bowl, while offensive linemen Kistin and Navarone Watchmaker were announced for the U17 roster.
"The senior bowl is for graduating Grade 12 students to have a chance to showcase their skills to the junior and university coaches," explained Larry Godziuk, head coach for the Bonnyville Voyageurs.
The top graduating athletes in the province are put forward to participate in tryouts for the north or south team and go on to participate in the game.
"He's one of the best players we've ever had on our team, one of the best players in the area we've ever had, so it was a pretty simple choice to give him the opportunity to... put his skills on the field and show everybody what he can do," detailed Godziuk.
This year marks the 30th annual event and will happen on May 20 in Calgary.
Fagnan described the distinction as an honour.
"To be suggested by your coach to do that is even more personal that someone believes in you, knows your abilities are there, and you have the ability to compete with the best," he expressed.
While he will be playing football in university at St. Francis Xavier University (STFX) in the fall, this is Fagnan's last opportunity to hit the field to represent his home town.
"It's your last chance as a player to sport your school and your community colours. To go there to showcase for the province is just another blessing."
Finishing off his high school career as one of the top quarterbacks in northern Alberta was quite an accomplishment for Fagnan.
"I'm very happy that I was suggested to go try out. It would have been quite a let down not to have been given the opportunity," he expressed.
Godziuk said, "I just think it's an exciting opportunity for him to play on an all-star team where he's got some of the best receivers in northern Alberta to play with, and an offensive line, not that we didn't have a great offensive line, it's just an all-star team. You have 11 of the best players in the province beside him, and it's a great opportunity for him."
Kistin and Navarone will be hitting the field as part of the U17 team against Team Saskatchewan in June.
"They're a talented pair of brothers who, with their size and physical ability, will play football probably for as long as they want to," Godziuk said. "They're really skilled... They're both really huge guys, very coachable, great kids, they work hard, and it's a great opportunity (for them)."
The development program for Football Alberta tries to showcase talent earlier in their careers, according to Godziuk.
"The fact that they've been identified already, there's universities calling for them and wanting to know how they're doing. It's just an exciting opportunity from such a small town in Alberta, and to have them noticed by people in bigger cities."
