10 Best Performers in LFL Canada 2012

Image courtesy of LFL Canada

As the inaugural season of LFL Canada comes to a close, there was no shortage of remarkable players and performances. Every franchise featured a superstar that captured the hearts and imaginations of fans.

The BC Angels featured an All-Canadian triumvirate of Mary-Anne Hanson at quarterback, Stephanie Manou at running back and Aleesa Garcia at wide receiver. The trio were crucial in helping the Angels qualify for Lingerie Bowl Canada I.

In winning their first franchise game, the Toronto Triumph showed that they have many gems that will provide great results in 2013. Tiffany Russell has emerged as an elite tight end and a prime receiving threat. Homegrown talent like Crystal Hall and Petshauna Pinnock promise better things to come.

A new chapter in Saskatchewan sports history began with the arrival of the Saskatchewan Bowl series. The high powered offenses of the Regina Rage and Saskatoon Sirens provided fans with breathtaking and heart pounding performances that prove LFL Canada is here to stay.

10: Tiffany Russell, Toronto Triumph

Photo by Jack Bolland

With six receptions and 101 receiving yards, Russell converted three of her receptions for touchdowns. Her longest reception of the season was 27 yards. In a hard fought 31-27 loss to the BC Angels, the remarkable Russell would grab two touchdown scores.

She would finish the season leading all Triumph players, with three receiving touchdowns.

9: Katie Marshall, BC Angels

Photo by Ric Ernst, PNG

Having led all LFL Canada players in sacks with three, Marshall was a key member of the Angels' defense.

She ranked second behind Jessica Hopkins in tackles.

8: Mary-Anne Hanson, BC Angels

Photos by Ric Ernst, PNG

One of several moms on the Angels squad, Mary-Anne Hanson was the squad’s field general.

She amassed 206 passing yards which led all LFL Canada quarterbacks. In addition, her six passing touchdowns tied with Anne Erler for the league lead.

7: Cydney Froehlich, Regina Rage

Image by Harnely1980 Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/hamley1980/7302362008/

Cydney Froehlich tied with Whitney Meierotto as Regina’s leading receiver with eight catches.

Defensively, Froehlich was equally formidable. She tied as the interceptions leader while leading all players in tackles with 20.

6: Tamar Fennell, Saskatoon Sirens

Image by Josh Schaeffer Photography

The anchor of the running game, Tamar Fennell, ranked third in LFL Canada with 272 rushing yards.

She tied with Heather Furr for the Sirens' lead in receptions with six. She would average 8.5 receiving yards per game.

Fennell tied with Anne Erler among Sirens' players for most rushing touchdowns with four.

5: Stephanie Manou, BC Angels

Image obtained from Facebook

Having established herself as the premier running back in LFL Canada, Manou amassed 337 yards to lead the league.

Her five rushing touchdowns ranked second behind Nikki Johnson of Regina.

4: Jessica Hopkins, BC Angels

Hopkins (right) accepting the 2011-12 LFL USA Mortaza Award

The 2011-12 Mortaza Award winner from LFL US, Hopkins was a key leader for the BC Angels. A defensive stalwart, Hopkins led all players in LFL Canada with a remarkable 27 tackles.

3: Nikki Johnson, Regina Rage

Image courtesy of Lingerie Football League

Nikki Johnson was not only the starting quarterback of the Regina Rage, she was also the offensive coordinator.

Johnson logged 197 passing yards (second in the league) and five touchdown passes (second in the league).

She was equally proficient as a rusher. Johnson was the runner-up to Stephanie Manou for the LFL CAN Rushing crown with 292 yards and nine rushing touchdowns.

2: Heather Furr, Saskatoon Sirens

Image courtesy of LFL Canada

Heather Furr and her teammate Anne Erler comprised the dynamic duo known to Saskatoon fans as Furrler. A starting quarterback with the Chicago Bliss in LFL US, Furr showed remarkable character and great teamwork by contributing at the wide receiver position while Erler assumed the reins at the quarterback helm.

Her six receptions tied with Tamar Fennell for the lead among Sirens players, while Furr accumulated 20.3 receiving yards per game. Furr would amass four receiving touchdowns, ranking among the top five in LFL Canada.

Defensively, Furr was remarkable as she ranked in the top five league wide with 23 tackles. She was a key reason the Sirens finished with the best record in the league.

1: Anne Erler, Saskatoon Sirens

Image courtesy of LFL Canada

A quarterback with the Green Bay Chill in LFL US, Erler heated things up with the Saskatoon Siren.

At the quarterback position, Erler led all passers with a superlative 130.7 efficiency rating. While she amassed 188 passing yards and six passing touchdowns, her finest stat may be that she did not have an interception on offense.

Defensively, it was a different story. Erler was just as impressive as a defensive back and led LFL Canada with six interceptions.