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November 8, 2017

Introducing… Your 2017 West All-Stars

Winnipeg Blue Bombers RB Andrew Harris celebrates his TD during second quarter CFL action between the Bombers and the Toronto Argonauts in Winnipeg on Thursday, July 13, 2017. (CFL PHOTO - Jason Halstead)

Andrew Harris has one of those seasons that cause the statisticians and editors of the media guides cursing – respectfully – his name.

Harris has rewritten both the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Canadian Football League record books this year en route to being named to the West Division All-Star team, along with teammates Darvin Adams, Stanley Bryant and Jermarcus Hardrick on offence and Taylor Loffler, T.J. Heath and Chris Randle on defence.

But the impact he really wants to have on the record book is to have his name included among the list of champions with the rest of his Blue Bombers compadres.

“It’s a big accomplishment, but it’s about your teammates and the guys around you that make you all stars and contribute to having good seasons,” said Harris. “It’s a team game, a team effort and ultimately you’ve got to salute the other guys around you.

“You have to have all-star guys around you to have all-star seasons and put up good numbers. I feel like our whole offence could be all-stars in their own way.”

“It’s been great so far. There’s still a lot of work to do to cap it off and really where I want to get to as far as goals and for this team. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

Harris authored a spectacular season in 2017. He won the league rushing title for the first time in his career with 1,035 yards, and led the CFL in receptions with 105. And in doing that, he not only smashed the Bombers record for receptions by a running back – previously 71 – but eclipsed the 32-year-old record of 102, set by Saskatchewan’s Craig Ellis back in 1985.

But as the Bombers stepped onto the practice field for the first time this week in preparation for Sunday’s home playoff game against the Edmonton Eskimos in the West Semi-Final, all the individual accolades seemed secondary.

The individual honours and recognition, after all, are worthy accomplishments. But it’s being part of a championship squad that truly cements a player’s legacy.

“The biggest team goal is the Grey Cup and that’s all we’re worried about,” said Hardrick, named an all-star for the first time. “It feels great to get recognized as one of the top at your position, but the ultimate goal is the team goal and for the team to get recognized as the Grey Cup champions.”

And Hardrick, like the rest of the Bombers, is already amped up about for first playoff game at Investors Group Field since it opened in 2013, and first in this town since the 2011 East Final.

“Home playoff game… it’s everything you imagined,” Hardrick said. “It’s one of the goals you put in before you get to the Grey Cup. The first thing is you want is a home playoff game or home bye.

“The biggest thing is we want to give back to the city of Winnipeg. They’ve been so great to us the last two years. I’ve been up her two years and I’ve been on 7-8 teams and this has been the best two years of my life. They deserve it. I want to have fun. I want to jump up in the crowd. I want to build a ‘W’. I want to have fun.”


BIG BLUE ALL-STAR CREW

OFFENCE

Andrew Harris, RB

His 2017 season, in a nutshell: Phenomenal. Outstanding. Record-breaking. Harris checked a lot of boxes on his own personal to-do list this season, cracking the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time as a Bomber, winning his first rushing crown, and breaking a 32-year-old CFL record for most receptions by a running back with 105 – a number which also led the league. A legit candidate for Most Outstanding Canadian honours.

Darvin Adams, WR

His 2017 season, in a nutshell: Posted career numbers in just 15 games with 76 receptions for 1,120 yards and seven touchdowns before injuring his shoulder. Continued his metamorphosis into one of the CFL’s best deep threats.

Stanley Bryant, LT

His 2017 season, in a nutshell: Voted the Bombers Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Bryant authored his most complete season as a pro. Hasn’t missed a game since signing with the Bombers; protects the quarterback’s blind side and played a huge role in the success of Harris.

Jermarcus Hardrick, RT

His 2017 season, in a nutshell: Named to a divisional all-star team for the first time in his career. Has been part of an O-line that has remained virtually intact for 30 games, save for injury.

DEFENCE

Taylor Loffler, S

His 2017 season, in a nutshell: A CFL All-Star last season as a rookie, Loffler led the Bombers in tackles, adding three forced fumbles and one interception in 17 games this year.

Chris Randle, CB

His 2017 season, in a nutshell: Named the Bombers’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player and to the divisional all-star team for the first time in his career. Randle was healthy in his role as the club’s shutdown corner, recording five interceptions – one for a TD – 60 tackles and one fumble recovery, also for a score.

T.J. Heath, DB

His 2017 season, in a nutshell: Named a division all-star for the second straight season and finished the year with five interceptions – one for a TD – 64 tackles and one sack.