Mission Secondary football standouts Kevin Wiens and Hyatt Smith have signed scholarship letters of intent to play football at UBC.

"I think Kevin and Hyatt represent two of the best players that Mission Secondary has produced in the last five years," said UBC head coach Shawn Olson. "They both meet the three main criteria we have for Thunderbird football players: they are both outstanding athletes, are very good students and good, high-character young men. I am very fortunate to be able to add two people of their quality to our program."

Wiens capped five fantastic seasons at Mission Secondary, winning all but six games in those five years, including a JV championship in 2010 and a varsity championship in 2011. Wiens was selected as the 2011 Double-A championship game MVP and in 2012 he captured the Eastern Conference Offensive MVP honours and provincial All Star recognition, including being chosen as the Double-A provincial defensive MVP.

"We have built a relationship with Kevin over the last few years and pegged him as our top DB prospect in the province," said Olson.

Smith, who started playing football in Grade 10 at Mission Secondary, was selected as the Eastern Conference Defensive MVP and a provincial All Star at linebacker in 2012. Smith also was instrumental in the Roadrunners winning both the 2010 JV title and the 2011 varsity crown. Smith earned one of eight BCSSFA $1,000 scholarships handed out on Nov. 27 to the top high school football scholars in the province.

"Before Hyatt's injury, we had him rated as one of the top three LB [linebackers] in the province and his ability to run makes him perfectly suited to the Canadian game," added Olson.

Mission head coach Kevin Watrin agrees, saying all the hard work has taken Wiens and Smith to the next level.

"Both represent what we are striving for in our football program: excellent young men who work hard both on the field and in the classroom," said Watrin.

"We are so proud of them for all the work that these two young men have put in to make this day possible."

JKonda-Witte@abbotsfordtimes.com