Weeks 8-14 Divisional and CFL All-Stars. Looking at who shined during the mid-section of the CFL season. This is based on performances from weeks 8-14 and is not the entire season up to this point. There were a lot of great performances by players not named on this list but only so many can be named.

After week 7 I wrote a 1st Period All-Star Article as a 21-week season doesn’t have a good halfway point but it breaks up nicely into thirds. The selections are listed below as well as a summary of what each player achieved so far this season to earn their selection.

2nd Period Accolades 

Top Quarterback: Vernon Adams Jr. (BC)

Most Outstanding Offensive Player (non-quarterback): Brady Oliveira (WPG)

Most Oustanding Defensive Player: Folarin Orimlade (TOR)

Most Oustanding Canadian: Brady Oliveira (WPG)

Most Oustanding Rookie: Austin Mack (MTL)

Coach: Ryan Dinwiddie (TOR)

Other Articles:
U Sports Canada West Football: Week 1 Team of the Week
Canadians in the NFL Preseason Performances, Final Cuts
CFL Midseason All-Star Team, Awards
First Period CFL and Divisional All-Stars
@JonathanClink on Twitter

CFL Divisional Second Period All-Stars (Weeks 8-14)

CFL Second Period All-Stars (Weeks 8-14)

Quarterbacks and Running Backs

West QB – Vernon Adams Jr. (BC) 

In this window, Vernon Adams Jr. had the most yards per game by far with 352 yards per game while no other quarterback had over 300 yards per game over the span of weeks 8-14. VA also had the best touchdown to interception ratio with 11 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. VA demonstrates great composure making plays under pressure and a great ability to get the ball to his receivers with good timing and accuracy. 

East QB – Chad Kelly (TOR)

 In this window, Chad Kelly played 6 games completing 94 of his 137 passes for 1,473 yards and 11 touchdowns with 6 interceptions. Kelly is a quarterback blessed to be playing with good protection but when he is pressured he has a great ability to mitigate the pressure by either making good throws in the face of it or side-stepping the pass the pass rush and escaping the pocket.

West RB – Brady Oliveira (WPG) 

Brady played 6 games in this window rushing for 618 yards on 90 carries (6.86 average) and 5 touchdowns with an additional 121 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. Oliveira has been the bell cow for the Bombers getting touches more consistently than any other running back often being used as the hammer to bludgeon opponents to defeat again and again in the 4th quarter. 

East RB – A.J. Ouellette (TOR) 

A.J. Ouellette rushed 74 times over his last 6 games for 422 yards (5.7 average) and 2 touchdowns with an additional 75 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown. Ouellette has been the best running back so far this season at forcing missed tackles either by breaking them or making people miss.

Receivers

West WR – Keon Hatcher (BC) 

6 games played with 36 catches for 574 yards (124 YAC) and 4 touchdowns. In week 10 Hatcher had 170 yards and a touchdown on 9 catches and another 100-yard game in week 12 against Hamilton with 107 yards and a touchdown. He has had a lot of great catches near the sidelines and has a knack for getting open in the endzone and just about everywhere.

West WR – Alexander Hollins (BC) 

6 games played with 30 catches for 514 yards (98 YAC) and 4 touchdowns. Hollins has been a beast this year stepping up amid injuries in the Lions’ receiver room. He had 161 yards and a touchdown in week 11 and recently had a 2 touchdown game in week 13. He’s got great hands and route-running abilities.

West WR – Reggie Begelton (CGY) 

7 games played with 37 catches for 514  yards (147 YAC) and 3 touchdowns. Begelton doesn’t get enough credit for how tough he is to bring down in addition to his great hands and ability to get open. He’s been a constant among an offense that’s at times been inconsistent for Calgary. Begelton had 203 yards and 2 touchdowns against Toronto in week 12.

West WR – Kenny Lawler (WPG) 

6 games played with 19 catches for 486 yards (113 YAC) and 5 touchdowns. Lawler has been very good since joining the Bombers late in the season which is a surprise to no one. He is extremely dangerous for explosive deep plays and has made some great plays adjusting to the ball to make a great catch. Lawler had 200 yards and a touchdown against BC in week 8 and a 104-yard, 1-touchdown game against Saskatchewan in week 14.

West WR – Dalton Schoen (WPG) 

6 games played with 23 catches for 452 yards (98 YAC) and 8 touchdowns. The 2022 Rookie of the Year is having another great campaign in 2023. Great route running, great hands, great speed. He led the league last year in receiving yards you already know what he can do. In this window, he had 2 100 yard games and recently caught 3 touchdowns in the Banjo Bowl.

East WR – Tim White (HAM) 

6 games played with 35 catches for 515 yards (124 YAC) and 3 touchdowns. Tim White had a slow start to his season. Prior to the season, I projected him to be the 2nd highest productive receiver in fantasy points. It’s getting going now as he has 3 100 yard games in the last 4. Recently he had 180 yards and 2 touchdowns. He even scored a kickoff return touchdown on an onside kick attempt. 

East WR – Austin Mack (MTL) 

6 games played with 30 catches for 513 yards (186 YAC) and 2 touchdowns. Austin “YAC Attack” Mack can put a team on his back. He plays a physical game breaking tackles and exemplifies a willingness to block downfield. His numbers speak for themself with 186 YAC. Sometimes he makes it a little too easy to play quarterback just hit on a short slant route and you blow up the passing game’s stat sheet.

East WR – DaVaris Daniels (TOR) 

6 games played with 19 catches for 400 yards (115 YAC) and 5 touchdowns. Who could forget DaVaris Daniels’s 180-yard and 3-touchdown game against Ottawa? Toronto’s receivers have a lot of ups and downs on paper from a point of receiving productivity but that is largely due to the ball being rather evenly spread around. Daniels has been excellent when targeted. He had 5 touchdowns in 3 games beginning in week 10.

East WR – Jaelon Acklin (OTT) 

6 games played with 22 catches for 354 yards (107 YAC) and 1 touchdown. Acklin’s season started slow after being an East Division All-Star in 2022. He had a big game against Toronto in week 10 with 157 yards and a touchdown in week 10.

East WR – Cam Phillips (TOR) 

6 games played with 21 catches for 354 yards (177 YAC) and 1 touchdown. Phillips’s biggest game of this window was in week 10 against Ottawa with 115 yards.

Offensive Line

West LT – Jarell Broxton (BC) 

Recognized among the top 10 offensive linemen by PFF on 3 separate weeks in this window.

West LG – Zack Williams (CGY) 

In week 12 according to PFF every western team’s weakest spot on their offensive line was at their left guard position except for Calgary. Williams was also recently recognized among the top 10 offensive linemen in week 13.

West C – Michael Couture (BC) 

Recognized among the top 10 offensive linemen by PFF in weeks 8 and 10.

West RG – Patrick Neufeld (WPG) 

Recognized among the top 10 offensive linemen by PFF in weeks 9, 10, and 13.

West RT – Brett Boyko (EDM) 

Named to the PFF Team of the Week in weeks 14, 13, and 11.

East LT – Nick Calender (MTL) 

Named a top 10 offensive lineman by PFF in weeks 9, 12, and 13.

East LG – Pier-Olivier Lestage (MTL) 

Lestage was named to PFF’s team of the week 4 times during this window.

East C – Darius Ciraco (TOR) 

Darius Ciraco was the only center to be named to the PFF Team of the Week more than 1 time during this window and was named to the Team of the Week 3 times.

East RG – Coulter Woodmansey (HAM) 

Named to the PFF Team of the Week in week 12 and 8.

East RT – Dejon Allen (TOR) 

Named to the PFF Team of the Week in weeks 9, 10 and 12.

Defensive Line

West DE – A.C. Leonard (EDM) 

Leonard played in 6 games in this window contributing 20 tackles, 6 sacks, and a forced fumble. His pressure rate seems to be heating up as well. By my count in week 11, he had 2 hurries and a sack and 3 pressures in week 12. According to PFF, he had 4 pressures in week 13 and a whopping 8 pressures in week 14.

West DT – Mike Rose (CGY) 

Rose played in 5 games generating 10 tackles and 3 sacks. He was the most effective defensive tackle in my opinion in week 9 which saw him make 2 great run stops as well as a sack as well as putting pressure on the quarterback.

West DT – Jake Thomas (WPG) 

Thomas played in 5 games during this window generating 6 tackles and 4 sacks. In week 9 he had 3 QB hurries and a sack all in the 2nd half.

West DE – Anthony Lanier II (SSK) 

Lanier has played in 5 games during this window registering 13 tackles and 4 sacks. In my opinion, Lanier was the most impactful defensive player in week 9 when he had 2 sacks, 3 pressures, and 2 very good run stops.

East DE – Folarin Orimolade (TOR) 

He’s consistently a headache for offenses. In this window, he has played in 6 games and registered 17 tackles, 6 sacks, and a forced fumble. In week 12 he had 2 sacks, helped with another sack, hurried the quarterback 3 times, and put some pressure on the QB in 3 other plays making things difficult for Jake Maier.

East DT – Mustafa Johnson (MTL) 

Johnson played 5 games in this window registering 16 tackles, 3 sacks, and a defended pass. Johnson has been great at pressuring the quarterback at a rate rarely seen from defensive tackles.

East DT – Casey Sayles (HAM) 

Sayles played in 6 games during this window contributing 24 tackles, 3 sacks, and a knockdown. He also demonstrates great run-stopping ability such as in week 12 when he made 4 quality run stops.

East DE – Shawn Lemon (MTL) 

Lemon played in 6 games contributing 16 tackles, 4 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble.

Linebackers

West LB – Bo Lokombo (BC) 

Lokombo was my pick for most effective linebacker in week 9 as he hurried the quarterback twice, made a very good run stop, 2 other good tackles against Lawler and Demski on short passes, and returned a fumble 41 yards for a touchdown. In this window, Lokombo played in 6 games generating 27 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and 2 passes defended.

West LB – Larry Dean (SSK) 

Dean was the most effective linebacker in week 11 during which he had 3 run stops, a sack, 2 quarterback hurries, and another good tackle against the run. He has also been on PFF’s top 10 linebacker list 4 times during this window. Dean played in 6 games during this period contributing 29 tackles, a sack, and 2 passes defended.

West CLB – Titus Wall (CGY) 

Titus Wall is a wall. I had him on my first team in week 11 during which he had 3 run stops, 3 QB hurries and also closed in quickly to limit the offense on 5 other plays.

In this window Wall played in 6 games contributing 25 tackles, and a sack in addition to often providing good coverage against the pass.

East LB – Wynton McManis (TOR) 

McManis has been a dog. I had him on my first team in week 8 and the 2nd team in weeks 9 and 10. He was also on the PFF 

McManis played in 6 games during this window contributing 37 tackles, a sack, and a pass defended.

East LB – Tyrice Beverette (MTL) 

Beverette has been a versatile run-stopper. He has been on PFF’s team of the week both at linebacker one week and cover linebacker another week. In week 10 I believed he was the most impactful defensive player during which he made 3 run stops by my count, 4 QB hurries (2 of which were QB hits), and a knockdown and scored a touchdown returning a fumble.

Beverette played in 7 games in this period contributing 37 tackles, a sack, and a pass defended.

East CLB – Adarius Pickett (TOR) 

He made my first team in week 8 and week 10. In week 8 he had a great forced fumble at the goal line saving a touchdown. In week 10 he he had a run stop, a hurry, a sack, and a couple of other very good tackles.

Pickett played in 6 games this period contributing 32 tackles, 2 sacks, and a pass defended.

Defensive Backs

West CB – Garry Peters (BC) 

Peters Island was on PFF’s Team of the Week in weeks 8 and 10. I recognized his high level in weeks 8, 10, and 11 naming him to my second team of the week.

Peters played 6 games in this window generating 34 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 passes defended.

West HB – Kobe Williams (CGY) 

Named to the PFF Team of the Week in weeks 11 and 14.

Williams played in 7 games in this window generating 20 tackles, a sack, an interception, 2 forced fumbles, and 3 passes defended.

West S – Quincy Mauger (BC) 

Mauger was my second team safety in week 11 and in week 9. He was recognized in the top 10 defensive backs by PFF on 4 separate weeks in this window.

Mauger played in 5 games this period generating 15 tackles, a sack, an interception, and a pass defended.

West HB – T.J. Lee (BC) 

Lee was my top halfback choice in week 11 providing good coverage on a couple of deep shots targetting Shawn Bane and also demonstrated great tackling on short passes and had a run stop and a pass breakup.

T.J. Lee played 6 games with 27 tackles, an interception, and a pass defended.

West CB – Demerio Houston (WPG) 

Houston was recognized by both myself and Pro Football Focus in weeks 9 and 11 being named to both my first team and PFF’s Team of the Week.

Houston played in 6 games contributing 23 tackles and 2 interceptions.

East CB – Jamal Peters (TOR) 

Jamal Peters was on my 1st team in week 12 and PFF’s Team of the Week in weeks 13 and 14.

Peters played in 5 games this period generating 13 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.

East HB – Deshaun Amos (TOR) 

Amos was my top halfback in week 8 during which he had a good breakup on a deep pass targetting Wieneke and a touchdown return on an interception.

Amos played in 4 games generating 8 tackles and an interception this period.

East S – Marc-Antoine Dequoy (MTL) 

Dequoy was my first team safety in weeks 10 and 12. He had 2 interceptions, returning one for a touchdown in week 12. He was also named to the PFF Team of the Week in weeks 10 and 12.

Dequoy played in 7 games contributing 24 tackles, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble, and 2 passes defended.

East HB – Reggie Stubblefield (MTL) 

Stubblefield has been great since taking over at halfback as a starter following injuries for Montreal. In week 10 I named him to my second team of the week and in week 11 the first team.

Stubblefield started in 6 games contributing 24 tackles and an interception. This past week he was recognized as the run defender of the week by PFF for his 8 tackles and four defensive stops.

East CB – Kabion Ento (MTL) 

Ento scored the only touchdown of the game in Montreal’s week 8 victory over Calgary and was recognized on my first team at cornerback that week as well as the PFF Team of the Week. Ento has been among the top 10 defensive backs in 3 separate weeks and continues to improve as he adjusts to the Canadian game.

Ento played in 6 games this period contributing 18 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 2 passes defended.

Special Teams

West K – Brett Lauther (SSK) 

Named to the PFF Team of the Week three times during this window. Lauther missed 1 of his 18 field goals during this window which was beyond 40 yards. He is 3 for 3 from beyond 50 yards during this period including a 54 yard game winner against Ottawa. He also made all 8 of his extra points.

West P – Cody Grace (CGY) 

Cody Grace was on the PFF Team of the Week 3 times during this window. He averaged 46.4 yards per punt during this period.

West ST – Terry Williams (BC) 

Named to the PFF Team of the Week twice in this period.

West ST – Tommylee Lewis (CGY)

Averaged 14.1 yards per punt return on 41 punts during this window. He also returned 10 kickoffs averaging 21.7 yards per return.

East K – Boris Bede (TOR) 

Bede has made 11 of his 12 field goals during this window and 19 of his 20 extra points. The miss was over 40 yards. While Bede only has 2 kicks over 40 yards he has been the most reliable during this period among East Division kickers. his longest field goal this window was a 51-yarder last week.

East P – Richie Leone (OTT) 

Richie Leone averaged 50.13 yards per punt on 37 punts during this window.

East ST – Javon Leake (TOR) 

Javon Leake returned a punt for a touchdown in week 10 and then again after Toronto’s bye week in week 12. Leake returned 12 kick-offs averaging 22.8 yards per return and 31 punts averaging 20 yards per return during this period.