StFX's Riva named MVP of East team

X-Men defensive back Nick Riva recorded 10 tackles in the 7th annual East West Bowl held recently in London, ON and was named Most Valuable Player of the East team for his efforts. The West squad won a close 16-7 game.

A native of Lasalle, ON who just completed his third year of the Arts program at StFX, Riva led all defense in tackles in the game in the team's losing effort. Nine of his 10 tackles in the game were solo tackles and he also recorded one tackle-for-loss for 7 yards.

The annual all-star game fetaures CIS athletes who are eligible for the 2010 CFL draft.

Riva was joined in the East line-up by X teammates Akeem Foster (Ajax, ON) and Cauchy Muamba (Kinshasa, Congo). Foster, a wide receiver, had 3 receptions for a total of 9 yards in the game. Defensive back Muamba recorded one defensive tackle and also saw action on special teams where he had 4 punt returns for a total of 24 yards. 

West wins 16-7 in second lowest scoring East West Bowl, presented by Under Armour

LONDON, Ont. - In the lowest scoring game since the first East West Bowl in 2003, Michael Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.) won Team West MVP honours to lead the team to a 16-7 victory at TD Waterhouse Stadium on May 9.

About 1,000 fans were in attendance as the teams played an entertaining game, combining for 37 first downs on the day.

In fitting fashion at his home stadium, Faulds (Eden Mills, Ont.) led all passers going 15/25 for 181 yards - and had two great throws into the end-zone that were dropped by receivers for what should have been touchdowns.

Nick Riva (LaSalle, Ont.), defensive back from StFX University, earned East Team MVP honours, finishing with 10 total tackles, including nine of the solo variety.

"No matter how you limit the defence to make the game fair you only have a week to prepare the them," said Marshall, referring to the low-scoring contest. "It's generally a problem with all all-star games."

"Everyone involved did a good job executing this event so that we were able to showcase the guys out on the field today."

Faulds said he was pleased with the performance and the experience.

"Today was good. Everyone got a lot of playing time today," he said. "We switched every two series or so and it was fair. The wind was gusting a lot which made for some challenges but we came out with the win and that's all the matters."

The first-half of the game ended with the West team leading 13-0.

Laurence Nixon (Richmond, B.C.), quarterback for the Saskatchewan Huskies, brought in the only touchdown of the half on a third-down gamble, as he moved through the thick East defensive squad from the one-yard line.

Faulds aided the West team to get into field goal position where Rob Maver (Brampton, Ont.), kicker for the Guelph Gryphons, added three points to the board with two separate opportunities in the first. Faulds' passes to Jordan Sisco (Regina, Sask.), wide receiver for the Regina Cougars, and Nick FitzGibbon (Puslinch, Ont.), running back for the Gryphons, were quick and clean and allowed the West to move down the field quickly.

Although the East team did not make it onto the board in this half, Benoit Groulx (Montreal, Que.), quarterback for the Laval Rouge et Or, made a number of successful plays to Jason Marshall (Innisfil, Ont.), running back for the York Lions, to move the ball forward.

Jesse Andrews (Pickering, Ont.), quarterback for the Bishop's Gaiters, was also a force to reckon with making a few runs himself. He finished with 30 yards on five carries and added 101 yards on 13/23 passing.

The low scoring game saw only one touchdown in the second half as well, this time for the East. But that was not enough as defensive powerhouses like John Surla (Niagara Falls, Ont.), linebacker for the Western Mustangs, and Doug Goldsby (White Rock, B.C.), defensive back for the UBC Thunderbirds, held strong.

Pascal Fils (Montreal, Que.), running back for the Sherbrooke Vert et Or, ran 74 yards in many promising attempts to move the East forward. But it was running backs Matt Henry (Mississauga, Ont.), of the Manitoba Bisons, and Anthony Woodson (Calgary, Alta.), of the Calgary Dinos who made plays which would clinch the win for the West.

"Players on both sides performed well today," said Glen Constantin, head coach of the East squad. "Our East team had opportunities that, unfortunately, we didn't take advantage of, but overall the game was a showcase of the kids' talent, and that's what it's all about."

Riva was grateful to pick up MVP of the East team at the game today, finishing with 10 tackles.

"There is a lot of great talent at this event and I am honoured to be a part of it. We are all here competing with the best so that means the pressures on. I'm just happy I could be here," said Riva.

Nixon opened the scoring in the first quarter on a one-yeard run to make it 7-0 for the West team.

In the second quarter, Rob Maver booted a pair of 31-yard field goals to make it 13-0 at the half.

Sherbrooke's Pascal Fils scored on a five-yard dash in the third quarter for the East's only points, making it 13-7, capping off a five-play, 62-yard drive.

But in the fourth, Maver made it 16-7 after kicking a 35-yard field goal.

Today's game concludes the seventh year of East-West Bowl events. In previous years, players have graced the fields at Wilfrid Laurier University, Universite Laval and McMaster University. At McMaster in 2008, the East team saw their first win in the event's history.

The East-West Bowl brings together over 90 of the best players in Canadian Interuniversity Sport football. Many of the players who participate are eligible for the next Canadian Football League draft. A committee of CIS head coaches selects the participants from a pool of players who have been nominated by their respected universities. These players participate in an intense week of practices, training and evaluation which conclude with the annual all-star game.

For complete game statistics, click here

Previous East West Bowl Results

YEAR - RESULT
2008 @ McMaster East 25, West 12
2007 @ Laval West 22, East 19 (OT)
2006 @ Laval West 34, East 26 (OT)
2005 @ Laurier West 34, East 16
2004 @ Laurier West 21, East 12
2003 @ Laurier West 10, East 5

Story Courtesy:  Andy Watson, Western Mustangs Sports Information