James Pyke won a hat-trick of prizes at the annual BLITZ AWARDS ceremony, including the Player of the Season title.

The 22-year-old was named the Best Over-18 Running Back and Best Linebacker before crowning a fine campaign for him by lifting the player of the season prize.

Pyke's performances for the Highland Wildcats this season - who finished the previous season with four wins from their 10 matches in the league, narrowly missing out on the play-offs - impressed Inverness Blitz Development Officer and Wildcats coach Robbie Paulin, who was full of praise for the player.

"The fact James won the most individual awards takes nothing away from the team as a whole, because we had the best season since we joined the league," he said.

"James was a stand-out, however, and was a deserving winner of the player of the season award.  He showed commitment, determination, and a will to win that was outstanding.  All the players have these attributes, but it is his never say die threshold and the fact that he is maybe a little bit crazy that made him our most valuable player last season."

The other award winners were: Running Back (under18) -  Laurie Cuthbertson; Offensive lineman - Josh Crofts; Defensive Lineman - Billy Mill; Linebacker (under-18) - Mark Paulin; Rookie of the Season - Andrew Bunce; Volunteering Highland Award - James Hudson and David Ronald; Quarterback - Kenny Mackay; Most Improved Player - Davie Grant; Defensive Back (under-18) - Duncan Straiton; Defensive Back (over-18) - Chris McDiarmid; Wide Receiver (under-18) - Lewis Warburton; Wide Receiver (over-18) - Scott Milligan; Players - Choice Awards - Duncan Straiton, Kyle Roberston, Craig Findlay, Billy Mill, Josh Crofts, Roddy Ross, Doug Locke.

"Generally the awards illustrated the progress made throughout the squad," Paulin added. Several senior players collected awards and the core of the Junior side each won individual accolades.  The junior won the Scottish Championship last season and we just hope they continue to progress.  Eventually they will help strengthen our senior ranks even further, which can only bode well for the future."