Stan’s the man for CFL

Following the Shell Chiefs’ triumphant victory over the Verizon Nitro last Saturday, the rain paused long enough to allow the organizing officials of the 2004 Commonwealth Football League to recognize the top performers from the regular season.

Just moments after leading his fledgling team to a title in their first season, Stanley Iakopo was awarded the most valuable player trophy for providing more than half of the offense and three quarters of the points for the Chiefs in their 16-12 victory.

Iakopo bided his time throughout the game until he finally broke out for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter that was the deciding factor in a game in which both teams were hampered by sloppy field conditions.

Using a combination of speed and power, Iakopo brought a continuation of his regular season success into the post-season, as Stanley finished the six-game schedule with 372 yards on 43 carries. The one-man ground attack crossed the goal line six times in five regular season games, and averaged just less than nine yards per carry.

It didn’t take the CFL board long to decide that Stan was the man, following his 115-yard, two-touchdown performance on the league’s biggest stage.

As good a back as Iakopo proved himself to be, by his own admission, he would not have been able to be so dominant were it not for his solid offensive line.

For allowing the most productive offense in the league to have a chance to operate, Wes Foster, Steve Stettenbenz, Jeff Norita, Charlie Peters, Tony Paurillo, Wilbur Sablan, and John Kapileo were also recognized on Saturday as the finest unit in the game.

Including the championship, the offensive line stood pat for four quarterbacks in the final four games and three of the top four running backs and allowed them to accumulate 1,403 yards and 150 points in seven games.

There are still three awards remaining on the table, as the CFL board will be meeting tonight at J’s Restaurant in Gualo Rai to vote upon the Hard Rock award for the best defensive player of the year, the regular season offensive MVP, and the individual offensive lineman award.

Aside from the awards, the board members will discuss a number of issues pertaining to the betterment of the league, including the upcoming inter-island game against a Guam football team, the possibility of a player draft, and the prospects for expansion.