Midseason Standouts: ELF Honors Predictions so far
Felix Pahl
© Anand TomWe’ve reached the halfway mark of the regular season in the European League of Football. As the race for the playoffs heats up, many players and coaches have already made big impressions. In my opinion, here’s a look at who would take home the ELF Honors if the season ended today.
This year, there are also two new awards in the mix: Offensive Lineman of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year, making the race for honors even more exciting.
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ACOY - Assistant Coach of the Year: Brendan Noble
Defensive Coordinator Brendan Noble from the Nordic Storm has earned this award so far. His defense has allowed just 52 points in five games and produced 20 sacks, seven forced fumbles, and six interceptions. An incredible job for a first-year franchise.
CPOTY - Comeback Player of the Year: Ken Hike Jr.
Ken Hike Jr. is the comeback story of the season. Last year, he struggled to find his place, moving between the Mercenaries and Vikings despite good performances. Now with the Prague Lions, he’s a leader on the field and a key reason for their surprising success.
DROY - Defensive Rookie of the Year: Jamie Riedel
Hamburg Sea Devils defensive lineman Jamie Riedel, just 20 years old, is the top candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He already has 21 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a pass deflection - a strong start to his ELF career.
OROY - Offensive Rookie of the Year: Justus Seelig
Though currently sidelined due to injury, Bravos running back Justus Seelig made a big impression early in the season. His performances were so strong that he even drew attention from Division 1 college programs. If he returns healthy, he remains a favorite for the award.
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SPOTY - Special Teams Player of the Year: Devan Burrell
Devan Burrell is once again a force in the return game. With three return touchdowns and 693 return yards on 23 returns, he remains the league’s most dangerous special teams player. If he continues like this for the Mercenaries, he could win his third straight award in this category.
DPOY - Defensive Player of the Year: Max Parkinson
Max Parkinson followed former Rhein Fire coach John Shoop to the Nordic Storm and has been dominant. With 17 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and seven sacks in just five games, he’s arguably the league’s most disruptive defensive lineman.
OPOY - Offensive Player of the Year: Aron Cruickshank
Aron Cruickshank has become one of the ELF’s biggest stars. He leads the league with 1,030 receiving yards and is on pace to break the single-season receiving yards record. His speed and big-play ability have made him nearly impossible to stop.
OLOTY - Offensive Lineman of the Year: Brendan Oswin
Brendan Oswin, the Australian right tackle for the Madrid Bravos, is having a fantastic season. He’s kept QB Reid Sinnett safe and has helped create running lanes and execute screen plays with precision.
ROY - Rookie of the Year: Chrisman Kyei
Chrisman Kyei has become a crucial player for the Hamburg Sea Devils despite being only 20 years old. He currently leads the league in rushing yards and has impressed week after week.
HGOTY - Homegrown Player of the Year: Aleksandar Borkovic
Aleksandar Borkovic has long been a standout, but this season he’s shining even brighter with the Fehérvár Enthroners. He leads the entire ELF with 76 tackles and proves week after week that he’s a tackling machine deserving of the Homegrown title.
COTY - Coach of the Year: Dave Warner
No coach has done more for his team this season than Dave Warner of the Prague Lions. After years of struggling, the Lions have become a competitive force with a 4-2 record under Warner’s guidance. He’s turned them into a playoff contender nobody expected.
MVP - Most Valuable Player: Jadrian Clark
Jadrian Clark is the leading candidate for MVP. With 22 touchdowns and only one interception, he’s been brilliant. Under his leadership, the Nordic Storm remain the ELF’s only unbeaten team at 5-0, making him a true difference-maker.
If the second half of the season is as exciting as the first, we’re in for a thrilling finish. The ELF Honors race is far from over - and many more players and coaches might rise to the top before the final whistle blows.