Three Stars: Henry Burris, Mic'hael Brooks and Rene Paredes top Week Fifteen

Welcome to another edition of the Three Stars, our regular look at each week's top performers on offence, defence and special teams. This time, we're examining the top showings from Week Fifteen's games. 

First star/offensive player of the week: Henry Burris, quarterback, Ottawa Redblacks: Burris dazzled in Ottawa's 39-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes Thursday, setting a CFL record for completions in a showing that stands up with the best quarterbacking performances the league has seen. The Temple product completed 45 of 53 passing attempts Thursday, an 84.9 per cent completion rate, and threw for 504 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. It was the best quarterback play we've seen this year, and more proof of how crucial Burris' statistical improvement this year (at age 40, no less!) has been to the Redblacks' turnaround; they've gone from a 2-16 mark last season to an 8-5 one so far that has them tied for first in the East, and Burris' play has been a big part of that.

(Honourable mentions: Jonathan Jennings, QB, B.C.; Emmanuel Arceneaux, WR, B.C.; Andrew Harris, RB, B.C.)

Second star/defensive player of the week: Mic'hael Brooks, defensive end, B.C. Lions: Brooks was a big part of the Lions' dominant 46-20 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday, collecting two tackles, two sacks and an interception. The CFL rookie out of East Carolina has put up 40 tackles for B.C. so far this year, but this marked his first pick and his second and third sacks. He may be a key piece for the 5-8 Lions (who are currently in a playoff spot!) during the stretch run.

(Honourable mentions: Johnny Adams, DB, Winnipeg; David Menard, DE, B.C.; Brandon McDonald, DB, Calgary.)

Third star/special teams player of the week: Rene Paredes, kicker, Calgary Stampeders: Facing an incredible wind that gusted up to 60 kilometres per hour, Paredes was still able to make five of his seven field-goal attempts in Calgary's 23-20 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Friday. The Concordia alum was cool under pressure, too, making a 46-yarder to tie the game with 48 seconds left and then a 37-yarder to win it with no time on the clock after the Stamps received great field position thanks to Hamilton's Justin Medlock's 10-yard punt. He's having a solid season so far, placing second with 129 kicking points and posting an impressive 87.5 per cent success rate on field goals.

(Honourable mentions: Sean Whyte, P/K, Edmonton; Troy Stoudemire, PR/KR, Winnipeg; Brandon Banks, PR/KR, Hamilton.)

Bonus star/Canadian player of the week: Andrew Harris, running back, B.C. Lions: Harris was a huge factor in B.C.'s 46-20 win over Saskatchewan Saturday, picking up 100 rushing yards. Impressively, the Vancouver Island Raiders product did so on just 13 carries, giving him an average of 7.7 yards per carry. Harris leads the CFL with 819 rushing yards so far this season, and he'll be critical to the Lions' postseason hopes.

(Honourable mentions: Jon Cornish, RB, Calgary; Brad Sinopoli, SB, Ottawa; Sam Hurl, LB, Winnipeg.)

Watch 55-Yard Line for next week's Three Stars, and if you'd like to nominate a candidate during the week's games, contact me via Twitter or e-mail. Thanks for reading!