Impact
Records
Dante Moore
Martin Luther King Jr. High School
Impact Statement
“The biggest complement I can give him is that he’s a better person than football player and I think he’s the best football player in the country.” -Terel Patrick, MLK’s Offensive Coordinator
Biography
Moore, a five-star recruit, led the Crusaders to a State championship in 2022 with a victory over Muskegon. They also won the title in 2021. As a freshman, he and the team placed second.
Moore is ranked number 2 overall by ESPN and 3 by 247 Sports.
He completed 175 of 252 passes for 2,392 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2022. He set a school record for passing yards (3,050) and passing touchdowns with 40 as a junior. Moore accomplishments culminated with 9,800 throwing yards and 135 touchdowns over his varsity career.
Moore will continue to play at UCLA in 2023.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
St. John Bosco High School
“Everybody has to understand that they have a particular role, and in that role they have to operate at the highest level in order for us all to be successful.” -Jason Negro
“Everybody has to understand that they have a particular role, and in that role they have to operate at the highest level in order for us all to be successful.” -Jason Negro
Jason Negro
St. John Bosco High School
Impact Statement
“Everybody has to understand that they have a particular role, and in that role they have to operate at the highest level in order for us all to be successful.” -Jason Negro
Biography
Negro, a St. John Bosco graduation’91, took the helm as the head coach in 2010. Within three season, Negro and crew captured a Trinity League title. Additionally, they made the Pac 5 division semifinals. The next season, the Braces were 16-0 in 2013. They earned another Trinity title and this time, they won the Open Division California State Championship with a victory over De La Salle. They were deemed the #1 team in the nation by both Max Preps and USA Today.
In 2018, the Braves made it to their sixth straight CIF-SS Division 1 Finals, falling just short of the title. The following year, the Braves made it to their 7th Finals appearance, which is a state record. This year they captured another State title. After this accomplishment, Negro was named the National Coach of the Year and the Decade by Max Preps.
Post COVID, Negro and the Braves continued their winning ways with another State and National title in 2022.
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Records
Jefferson High School
A three sport athlete, Brown excels on the field, on the mat, on the track and most importantly, in the classroom.
A three sport athlete, Brown excels on the field, on the mat, on the track and most importantly, in the classroom.
Sammy Brown
Jefferson High School
Impact Statement
A three sport athlete, Brown excels on the field, on the mat, on the track and most importantly, in the classroom.
Biography
A five-star recruit, Sammy Brown excels on and off the field. The linebacker leads the team in most all categories. He has amassed over 4,300 years averaging 9.2 yards. Additionally he holds over 450 yards in receiving.
To date, Brown has surpassed 2,000 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. Both set a school record. On the other side of the ball, he currently has 141 tackles under his belt for his senior season.
He was selected to play in the All-American Bowl on January 6, 2024. Brown is no stranger to national accolades. He was named All-State in 2022, 2021, and 2022 as well as a Max Prep All-American those three years. He was also named the 2022-23 Max Preps Male Athlete of the Year.
Brown has also excelled on the wrestling mat. He is a two time State Champion and a State Runner-Up. He holds a career record of 87-5.
On the track, he was a State Champ in the 400m. He also holds three medals in the Long Jump. He also set a school record in the Power Clean at 405. Brown will continue his football career at Clemson University.
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Community Service
Sammy Brown is adapted PE volunteer at Jefferson Elementary School. He also volunteers with Special Olympics. He is also a member of JHS Miracle Club.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Thompson High School
Mark Freeman has brought success to each program he’s been with on and off the field.
Mark Freeman has brought success to each program he’s been with on and off the field.
Mark Freeman
Thompson High School
Impact Statement
Mark Freeman has brought success to each program he’s been with on and off the field.
Biography
Mark Freeman has coached at different schools over the years but yielded the same results. He has amassed a career record of 255-56 and has ten state titles under his belt.
He led Bessemer Academy to four state titles in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. He then left spent a year as the quarterback coach at Minor. In 2009, he was named head coach at Gulf Shores High School until he took over at Spanish Fork in 2011. That year, they won another state title. He and his team won another state title in 2013 and finished with a 15-0 record.
Freeman stepped down and accepted the head coach position at Thompson High School. Over the past five year, he led the Warriors to four straight championships. His record at Thompson is 83-18. He’s coached 24 All-State players.
Freeman was selected to coach of the All-Star football game seven consecutive seasons.
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Thompson High School
A leader on and off the field, Conner Harrell leads by example.
A leader on and off the field, Conner Harrell leads by example.
Conner Harrell
Thompson High School
Impact Statement
A leader on and off the field, Conner Harrell leads by example.
Biography
Harrell led Thompson to back-to-back Alabama Class 7A high school football championships. Harrell, who enrolled early at the University of North Carolina, finished his career completing 385-of-537 passes (71.7%) for 6,478 yards with 84 touchdowns against with only six interceptions. He also ran for rushed for 701 yards (6.3 yards per carry) with 10 TDs.
The 3-star college football prospect also excels in the classroom. He was named to the High School Football Academic All-America Team after his junior and senior seasons.
After his junior season, Harrell was named the Gatorade Alabama High School Player of the Year.
This honor is jointly presented with our partner High School Football America.
“Conner Harrell is not only a great player but a wonderful young man,” said Thompson head football coach Mark Freeman. “It was such a blessing to watch his career grow and the success he had as a two-year starting quarterback. To lead his team to back to back 7A state titles is proof of the leadership and type player Conner was at Thompson.”
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Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
St. John Bosco High School
“Always calm, cool, collected regardless of the noise! His mental and physical preparation is why you see him play with so much confidence and command of the offense.” -Tim Roken, St. Joseph’s Head Coach
“Always calm, cool, collected regardless of the noise! His mental and physical preparation is why you see him play with so much confidence and command of the offense.” -Tim Roken, St. Joseph’s Head Coach
Kyle McCord
St. John Bosco High School
Impact Statement
“Always calm, cool, collected regardless of the noise! His mental and physical preparation is why you see him play with so much confidence and command of the offense.” -Tim Roken, St. Joseph’s Head Coach
Biography
This honor is jointly presented with our partner High School Football America.
McCord closed-out his scholastic career by leading St. Joseph’s Prep to its third straight Pennsylvania Class 6A state championship and a No. 6 ranking in the High School Football America 100 national rankings. McCord, who owns a 3.5 GPA in the classroom, was a three-year starter for the Hawks, ending his career with 6,887 yards passing and 88 touchdowns.
In his final game as a high school quarterback, McCord was 21-for-28 with 336-yards and four touchdowns in SJP’s 62-13 state championship game win over Central York. The all-state QB has also won the Maxwell Football Club’s Jim Henry Award and MaxPreps.com’s Pennsylvania Player of the Year Award.
“When you turn on the film going back even to his sophomore year, it doesn’t lie. Kyle’s ability to hurt you as a defense in rhythm, under pressure or outside the pocket is special! I believe what separates Kyle though is his mindset and his leadership. Always calm, cool, collected regardless of the noise! His mental and physical preparation is why you see him play with so much confidence and command of the offense. Kyle is about the day to day not just game day and with that put a stamp on an amazing career here at the Prep. Very happy for him to receive this honor,” said St. Joseph’s Prep head football coach Tim Roken.
McCord, who is an early enrollee at Ohio State University, was ranked as the No. 27 overall college football prospect, according to 247Sports.com’s composite rankings for the Class of 2021. He was the No. 3 ranked Pro-Style QB in the class.
“Kyle had one of the most all-time best high school football careers in Pennsylvania,” said Jeff Fisher, founder of High School Football America and head of the NHSCA Athlete of the Year nominating committee. “If it wasn’t for an injury late in his junior year, he would have become the first quarterback in Pennsylvania history to win three straight state championships.”
McCord is the fourth Pennsylvania high school football player, and second in a row, to win the award, which has been won by future Heisman Trophy winners Kyler Murray (Allen HS, Texas in 2015), Derrick Henry (Yulee HS, Florida in 2013) and Johnny Manziel (Kerrville Tivy HS, Texas in 2011). Last year, current Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming of Southern Columbia won the award. The other Pennsylvania winners are Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette High School for the 2007 high school football season and Austin Scott of Parkland High School for the 2002-03 sports season.
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Records
Personal Honors
American Heritage High School
Coach Surtain spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Coach Surtain spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Patrick Surtain, Sr.
American Heritage High School
Impact Statement
Coach Surtain spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Biography
This honor is jointly presented with our partner High School Football America.
This past season, Surtain led American Heritage to the Florida 5A state championship, the school’s third overall under the direction of the former National Football League cornerback, who spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs.
Surtain took-over the American Heritage program in 2016 after serving as the team’s defensive
coordinator for three seasons, during which time the Patriots won another state title.
In addition to being one of the top programs in the State of Florida, AH has become a regular in the national rankings. All five of his teams have finished the year ranked in the High School Football America (“HSFA”) national rankings. This past season, the Patriots were ranked No. 20 in the High School Football America 100. American Heritage’s highest ranking was in 2017 when it finished No. 6 in the nation in the HSFA rankings. The 2016 state championship team was
ranked No. 14 in America by High School Football America.
“Coach Surtain has done an outstanding job at American Heritage, while playing one of the toughest schedules in the nation,” said Jeff Fisher, head of the NHSCA Coach of the Year Nominating Committee and founder of High School Football America. “His success goes beyond the playing field. His ability to prepare his student-athletes for the next level makes him an excellent choice for this honor.”
Surtain is the fourth football coach from Florida to be honored by the NHSCA. Miami Central’s Roland Smith won the award for the 2014 season. George Smith of St. Thomas Aquinas was honored in 2010-11 school year and the late Charles “Corky” Rogers of The Bolles School was our first honoree during the 2004-2005 sports year.
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Records
Personal Honors
Dutch Fork High School
“I like having my own ball of wax to mold how I want to. To do the things I want to and you have to have good people around you to buy into what your vision is.” -Tom Knotts
“I like having my own ball of wax to mold how I want to. To do the things I want to and you have to have good people around you to buy into what your vision is.” -Tom Knotts
Tom Knotts
Dutch Fork High School
Impact Statement
“I like having my own ball of wax to mold how I want to. To do the things I want to and you have to have good people around you to buy into what your vision is.” -Tom Knotts
Biography
This past season, Knotts led Dutch Fork to its fourth straight South Carolina state high school football championship in the state’s largest classification. That championship landed the Silver Foxes at No. 11 in the High School Football America 100 national rankings, No. 15 in the USA TODAY Super 25 and No. 9 in MaxPreps’ Xcellent 25.
Knotts, who’s coaching career began in 1981, has now won twelve overall high school football state championships. He led Independence High School (Charlotte, North Carolina) to six state championships and West Charlotte to a North Carolina state championship in 1995.
During his time at Independence, Knotts and his program set a record for the longest
public high school football win streak in America with 109 straight victories.
“Coach Knotts’ record of 415-64-1 speaks for itself, but just as impressive is how he’s helped his student-athletes in life during his career that’s heading into a fifth decade,” said Jeff Fisher, head of the NHSCA Coach of the Year Nominating Committee and founder of High School Football America.
“I’m very honored,” said Knotts. “There are a lot of other people that go into me winning this award. There’s nothing better than high school football and I’d like to thank everyone that’s had a hand in helping me along the way.”
Knotts is the second South Carolina high school football coach to receive the honor. The late John McKissick of Summerville High School was the first honoree for the 2008-2009 school year. McKissick is America’s all-time winningest high school football coach with 621 victories.
Since being honored, Knotts led Dutch Fork back the state finals before the game was canceled due to Covid.
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Records
Southern Columbia High School
“His consistent blocking play-after play and his desire to get out in front of a back who’s breaking a long run stands out.” -Jim Roth, Southern Columbia Head Coach
“His consistent blocking play-after play and his desire to get out in front of a back who’s breaking a long run stands out.” -Jim Roth, Southern Columbia Head Coach
Julian Fleming
Southern Columbia High School
Impact Statement
“His consistent blocking play-after play and his desire to get out in front of a back who’s breaking a long run stands out.” -Jim Roth, Southern Columbia Head Coach
Biography
Fleming, who also named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year as a junior and senior, finished 2019 with 72 catches for 1,572 yards with 23 touchdowns. The No. 4 overall college football recruit in the Class of 2020, heads to Ohio State University as Pennsylvania’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards.
Fleming also was a high-level performer in basketball and an excellent track athlete for Southern Columbia. He maintained a B-plus average in the classroom, plus he volunteered his time at a local soup kitchen and teaching youth sports programs.
“Julian is an excellent example what this award stands for,” said Eric Hess, Executive Director of the NHSCA. “He has excelled as much in the classroom as he has on the football field. We congratulate him on an outstanding high school career and wish him success at Ohio State.”
“Julian is one of those once in a lifetime players, who made an impact on both sides of the ball,” said Jeff Fisher, founder of High School Football America and head of the NHSCA Athlete of the Year nominating committee. “While his receiving numbers speak for themselves, his skills at cornerback are equally impressive. He had four interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns.”
“No doubt, he’s got a lot of ability, but Julian is very much a team player,” said Fleming’s head coach Jim Roth. “What has impressed me, and college coaches is his effort in blocking. His consistent blocking play-after play and his desire to get out in front of a back who’s breaking a long run stands out.”
Fleming is the third Pennsylvania high school football player to win the award, which has been won by future Heisman Trophy winners Kyler Murray (Allen HS, Texas in 2015), Derrick Henry (Yulee HS, Florida in 2013) and Johnny Manziel (Kerrville Tivy HS, Texas in 2011). The other Pennsylvania winners are Terrelle Pryor of Jeannette High School for the 2007 high school football season and Austin Scott of Parkland High School for the 2002-03 sports season.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Trinity High School
“Good is the enemy of great. We say that quite a bit in our locker room. Being afraid to fail is not an option on our football team or at Trinity High School.” -Bob Beatty
“Good is the enemy of great. We say that quite a bit in our locker room. Being afraid to fail is not an option on our football team or at Trinity High School.” -Bob Beatty
Bob Beatty
Trinity High School
Impact Statement
“Good is the enemy of great. We say that quite a bit in our locker room. Being afraid to fail is not an option on our football team or at Trinity High School.” -Bob Beatty
Biography
Coach Beatty has had an incredible career since becoming the head coach at Trinity in 2000. His teams have won 13 Kentucky high school football state championships, including four straight state titles from 2005 through 2008. During a ten-year span from 2001 to 2010, Beatty’s teams captured eight state titles.
This past season, Trinity won its second straight Kentucky Class 6A title a perfect 15-0 record, garnering the Shamrocks a No. 4 ranking in the final High School Football America Top 100 national rankings. Beatty’s overall record at Trinity is 224-35 with four undefeated seasons. Trinity will bring a 30-game win streak into the 2018 season.
Since being honored, Beatty has continued to coach Trinity to another state championship in in the fall of 2019.
Photos
Records
Allen High School
Westerberg coached four teams to the coveted Texas State Championships over 12 seasons.
Westerberg coached four teams to the coveted Texas State Championships over 12 seasons.
Tom Westerberg
Allen High School
Impact Statement
Westerberg coached four teams to the coveted Texas State Championships over 12 seasons.
Biography
Coach Westerberg led the Allen Eagles to the school’s second straight Texas Class 5A, Division I title in 2013.
In 10 years as the leader of the Eagles, Westerberg’s teams have won three state titles in Texas’ biggest classification. Allen’s overall record under Westerberg is 118-16 with eight of his ten seasons as head coach ending with at least ten victories.
By finishing a perfect 16-0 in 2013, Allen will bring a 27-game win streak into the 2014 season. With the return of several key players, including all-state quarterback Kyler Murray, the Allen Eagles are expected to challenge for a third straight state title.
After being honored, Westerberg led Allen to another state title in 2014 in the newly created 6A division. Subsequently, he left his position after the season by becoming the Athletic Director and Head Coach at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas. Most recently, Westerberg led the team to a district championships in the 2019-2020 season.
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Records
John Curtis Christian School
“I’m a strong believer that amateur athletics are the backbone of our country. When guys come back and say ‘thanks’ – that’s the reward of coaching.” – J.T. Curtis
“I’m a strong believer that amateur athletics are the backbone of our country. When guys come back and say ‘thanks’ – that’s the reward of coaching.” – J.T. Curtis
J.T. Curtis
John Curtis Christian School
Impact Statement
“I’m a strong believer that amateur athletics are the backbone of our country. When guys come back and say ‘thanks’ – that’s the reward of coaching.” – J.T. Curtis
Biography
J.T. Curtis is the 2013 National High School Coaches Association’s National High School Football Coach of the Year after leading the school, founded by his father John, to its 25th Louisiana high school football championship in 2012. The Patriots also were crowned “mythical” national champs by multiple national media outlets.
Since taking over the John Curtis program, Curtis has become America’s second winningest coach with 520 victories. 2009 NHSCA National Football Coach of the Year John McKissick of Summerville High School in South Carolina is the all-time leader with 601 victories. Coach Curtis’ record is 520-54-6. The amazing thing about his record is that Curtis’ first team in 1969 didn’t win a game going 0-10.
Since being honored, Curtis continues to lead the Patriots to success. The team won an additional state title in 2018 and was the runners-up in 2017 and 2018. Additionally, the Pats also made appearances in 2016 and 2019, both year’s suffering a defeat in the semifinals.
In 2017 Curtis was inducted into the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.
After the 2019 season Curtis jumped to the second most winningest coach in the nation and just four victories shy of the 600- win club with a career record of 592-66-6. He will be entering his 52nd season in the fall of 2020.
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Professional Achievements
Pinson Valley High School
“I wanted to play quarterback at Auburn. So it was just an awesome moment. You honestly couldn’t write it any better.” -Bo Nix
“I wanted to play quarterback at Auburn. So it was just an awesome moment. You honestly couldn’t write it any better.” -Bo Nix
Bo Nix
Pinson Valley High School
Impact Statement
“I wanted to play quarterback at Auburn. So it was just an awesome moment. You honestly couldn’t write it any better.” -Bo Nix
Biography
Nix closed out his incredible scholastic career by leading Pinson Valley, coached by his dad, to its second straight Alabama Class 6A state championship.
He finished as the only player in Alabama high school football history to ever top 12,000 yards in total offense, with more than 10,000 yards passing and over 2,000 rushing. The 5-star recruit, who is already enrolled at Auburn, had his hand in 161 career touchdowns, a new state record.
Nix, a 3X all-state selection, recently played in the Under Armour All-America game where he completed 7 of 17 passes for 89 yards. He was Gatorade’s 2018 Alabama State Player of the Year and a week ago he was named Alabama’s Mr. Football. He finished runner-up for that award as a junior. In the classroom, Nix has a 4.14 grade point average.
As a freshman at Auburn, Nix was named the SEC Freshman of the Year throwing for 2,542 yards and 16 touchdowns – both Auburn records as well. Off the field, he was named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll. In his shortened sophomore season, he threw for 2,415 yards. He again was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll.
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Records
Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Mater Dei High School
Impact Statement Placeholder
Impact Statement Placeholder
JT Daniels
Mater Dei High School
Impact Statement
Impact Statement Placeholder
Biography
Daniels had an outstanding high school football career that he capped with a CIF Open Division championship in December. This win led to Mater Dei being ranked No. 1 in the High School Football America Top 100. Daniels passed for 4,123 yards and 52 touchdowns this past season. He rushed for 556 yards and nine touchdowns.
In the classroom Daniels has a weighted 4.18 GPA, plus he has spent countless hours volunteering and serving as a youth football coach. Due to his outstanding academics Daniels was able to reclassify from a junior to a senior and will enter the University of Southern California on a football scholarship early.
As a freshman at USC, Daniels started in 11 games. He threw for over 2,800 yards. The first game of his sophomore season he suffered a season ending knee injury. In May of 2020 Daniels announced he would be transferring to the University of Georgia.
Daniels started the last four games of the 2020 season finishing with 1231 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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Personal Honors
Allen High School
“Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB.” -Kyler Murray
“Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB.” -Kyler Murray
Kyler Murray
Allen High School
Impact Statement
“Football has been my love and passion my entire life. I was raised to play QB.” -Kyler Murray
Biography
There was no drop-off during Kyler Murray’s senior season in 2014 as he and his teammates captured the school’s third straight Texas state championship and third straight High School Football America “mythical” national title.
The dual-threat QB, who is enrolled at Texas A&M, was 42-0 as a starter. Last year, Murray threw for 4,713 yards and 54 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,495 yards and 25 TDs.
Murray was also a standout baseball player. He was the first to be selected to play at both the Under Armor All-America Football and Baseball game.
Off-the-field, in addition to donating his time as a youth football instructor, he has volunteered locally as part of the Reading with the Eagles youth literacy-outreach and anti-bullying programs. He also serves as a mentor to several student team managers with special needs.
Murray played one season at Texas A&M before announcing he would be transferring to the University of Oklahoma. After sitting out a year, he was the backup behind current Cleveland Brown’s quarterback, Baker Mayfield, as a junior. His senior year, he shined on the big stage. After throwing for more then 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns in the regular season, he took the Sooners to the Orange Bowl. Murray was awarded the Heisman Trophy for his performance.
Murray entered the 2019 NFL Draft and was the first overall selection by the Arizona Cardinals. He started his first game September 8, 2019. He is the current starter for the Cardinals in the 2020-2021 season.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
St. Augustine High School
Leonard Fournette has impacted every team he’s been a part of from St. Augustine, to LSU, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Leonard Fournette has impacted every team he’s been a part of from St. Augustine, to LSU, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Leonard Fournette
St. Augustine High School
Impact Statement
Leonard Fournette has impacted every team he’s been a part of from St. Augustine, to LSU, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Biography
Leonard Fournette, who will play college football at LSU, was the Times-Picayune All-Metro Player of the Year in 2013.
The 6-1, 225 pound running back, amassed 3,697 all-purpose yards during his senior season with 25 touchdowns. Fournette, who was considered a 5-star recruit, rushed for 1,802 yards and 17 touchdowns. He caught 45 passes for 745 yards and six scores, plus he threw touchdown passes as the team’s Wildcat-formation quarterback.
Fournette, who carried a B average in the classroom, was named the Gatorade Louisiana Player of the Year as a junior and a senior, was USA Today’s Player of the Year in 2013, plus he made the MaxPreps.com’s All-American team. Fournette is the first National Football Player of the Year honored by the NHSCA from Louisiana.
Fournette continued to play football at LSU. He was named to the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2014. As a sophomore, he was named to the All-SEC First Team. He also earned First-Team All-America and Consensus All-America honors. Although his junior year was hampered by an injury, Fournette still earned Second Team All-SEC honors.
Fournette announced he would forgo his senior year and entered into the 2017 NFL Draft. He was the fourth overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his three seasons with the Jaguars, Fournette notched over 2,600 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards. He was the first Jaguar to rush for at least 100 yards in his NFL debut. He is also the youngest player in NFL history to score a touchdown of at least 90 yards.
After three seasons, Fournette was released by the Jags in late August of 2020. Three days later, Fournette found a new team with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Yulee High School
“My goal every year is I always want to be better than the year before.” -Derrick Henry
“My goal every year is I always want to be better than the year before.” -Derrick Henry
Derrick Henry
Yulee High School
Impact Statement
“My goal every year is I always want to be better than the year before.” -Derrick Henry
Biography
Derrick Henry closed-out an incredible four-year career by breaking two rushing records. Henry broke the Florida all-time single season rushing record with 4,260 yards on 464 carries.
In the process, he also broke the six-decade old national rushing record of 11,232 yards by Ken Hall of Sugar Land High School in Texas in the early 50’s. Henry ended his career with 12,121 yards rushing on 1,389 carries.
Both of those marks are national records. Henry never failed to top 100 yards in a game during his 47 game career, plus he also scored 153 career touchdowns.
Henry continued to play football while at the University of Alabama. He continues to excel and break records. His junior year he broke the SEC single-season college rushing yards with 2,219 yards and was voted the Heisman Trophy winner of 2015.
After his junior year, Henry announced he would be entering the NFL Draft. He was selected in the second round by the Tennessee Titans. Henry continues to be a threat. In 2019, Henry had the most rushing yards in the NFL with 1,540.
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Community Service
Henry continues to give back to his community. In January of 2020, Henry took some local Nashville students and teachers shopping for school supplies.
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Professional Achievements
Personal Honors
Aledo High School
“To work with guys you considered your friends, to live through it with your team, to help each other succeed, those were great times.” -Jonhathan Gray
“To work with guys you considered your friends, to live through it with your team, to help each other succeed, those were great times.” -Jonhathan Gray
Johnathan Gray
Aledo High School
Impact Statement
“To work with guys you considered your friends, to live through it with your team, to help each other succeed, those were great times.” -Jonhathan Gray
Biography
The first player to be named ESPN Rise Player of the Year as a junior, Gray added to his trophy case as a senior when he was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Nominated for GTM Sportswear Athlete of the Month honors by the NHSCA in September, Gray led Aledo to a 14-2 record and a third consecutive 4A state title last fall. He rushed for 10,889 yards in his career to rank No. 2 in state history.
The 5-foot-10, 202-pound Gray rushed for 3,886 yards – No. 5 all-time according to the National Federation of State High School Associations record book – and a state-record 65 touchdowns on 347 carries as a senior, and also caught 26 passes for 517 yards and five scores. His 205 career rushing touchdowns are a national record, and his 1,232 career points rank second nationally.
The No. 5 recruit in the Class of 2012 as rated by ESPNU, Gray set state records in career carries and 100-yard games. He became the third prep athlete in state history to eclipse 10,000 career rushing yards. A three-year veteran of his school’s student council and a representative on the Aledo Independent School District Health Committee, Gray maintains a B average in the classroom.
In addition to donating his time as a youth football instructor and a mentor to special education students, the University of Texas recruit has volunteered on behalf of his church’s youth group, an alcohol and drug awareness program and Baylor All Saints Hospital’s Helping Hands Foundation. His father, James, earned collegiate Second Team All-America honors in 1989 and stands No. 2 on Texas Tech University’s list of career rushing leaders.
Since being honored in 2012, Gray attended and played for the Longhorns. He had an injury ridden career including two Achilles injuries. He capped her career with 2,610 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.
In 2018, Gray was inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame. Gray is currently starting his own company to help train future athletes both in the sport of football and in life.
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Professional Achievements
Tivy High School
“I want to leave it all on the field and wear my heart on my sleeve.” –Johnny Manziel
“I want to leave it all on the field and wear my heart on my sleeve.” –Johnny Manziel
Johnny Manziel
Tivy High School
Impact Statement
“I want to leave it all on the field and wear my heart on my sleeve.” –Johnny Manziel
Biography
Manziel is one of the greatest playmakers in the hallowed history of Texas high school football. The dual-threat 6-foot-1, 195-pounder was the only quarterback to be named a Parade All-American after completing 520 of 819 passes (63.5 percent) for 7,626 yards and 76 touchdowns, rushing 531 times for 4,045 yards and 77 touchdowns and catching 30 passes for 582 yards and another five touchdowns in three years as a starter.
As a senior, Manziel led the Fighting Antlers to a 10-2 record, completing 228 of 347 passes for 3,609 yards and 45 touchdowns, throwing just five interceptions, and rushing for 1,674 yards, a 9.8 average and 30 scores. That performance earned him the Associated Press Sports Editors Texas Player of the Year award and Offensive Player of the Year honors from The San Antonio Express-News.
In a come-from-behind 39-34 victory over San Antonio Madison High Sept. 3, Manziel threw a state-record 75 passes, completing 41 for 503 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, and was nominated for NHSCA Athlete of the Month honors. The Texas A&M University football commitment, who has already enrolled after graduating from high school after the fall semester, also batted .412 as a sophomore and .416 as a junior as his baseball team’s shortstop and is an 8-handicap golfer.
Since being honored, Manziel went on to have an illustrious career at Texas A&M that concluded with the Heisman Trophy. He is the first player in history to receive the award as a Freshman. In addition, he was the first freshman, and fifth overall, to pass for more then 3,000 yards in a season.
Manziel only spent two years at Texas A&M before declaring he would enter the 2014 NFL Draft. He was the 22nd pick overall selected by the Cleveland Browns. He played two seasons for the Browns. He played for a season in the Canadian Football League before playing for the Memphis Express prior to the league being disbanded.
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Cretin-Derham Hall High School
Henderson, a two sport athlete, was a dominant force on the football field for Cretin-Derham and then in the NFL.
Henderson, a two sport athlete, was a dominant force on the football field for Cretin-Derham and then in the NFL.
Seantrel Henderson
Cretin-Derham Hall High School
Impact Statement
Henderson, a two sport athlete, was a dominant force on the football field for Cretin-Derham and then in the NFL.
Biography
No football player stood head and shoulders above the rest this year, but at 6-foot-8 and 335 pounds, Henderson just might. Henderson comes from the same school that produced the NHSCA’s 2001 Baseball Senior Athlete of the Year, Joe Mauer.
A long-time Minnesota football powerhouse, Cretin-Derham Hall finished 13-1 for the second straight year and won the 5A state title last fall with Henderson anchoring both lines, also finishing as the 2008 state runner-up. Henderson was named Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today, was Player of the Year on the All-State Team selected by The Associated Press and earned Player of the Year honors from the St. Paul Pioneer Press. He was one of seven finalists for the U.S. Army Player of the Year and played in the U.S. Army All-American Game.
Also an outstanding basketball player, Henderson averaged 14.1 points per game, and the Raiders started the season 10-0 when Henderson was in the lineup. Last summer Henderson was a teammate of Harrison Barnes, the NHSCA Boys Basketball Senior Athlete of the Year, on a summer AAU team.
Henderson played all four years while at USC. He was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference team Honorable Mention twice his last two years.
At the 2012 NFL Draft he was selected in seventh round by the Buffalo Bills, where he remained until 2018. He was then traded to the Houston Texans before being placed on the injury list.
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Lake Travis High School
“He’s a natural passer, a beautiful passer.”
-Steve Spurrier
Orlando Apollos Head Coach
“He’s a natural passer, a beautiful passer.”
-Steve Spurrier
Orlando Apollos Head Coach
Garrett Gilbert
Lake Travis High School
Impact Statement
“He’s a natural passer, a beautiful passer.”
-Steve Spurrier
Orlando Apollos Head Coach
Biography
Never in the prestigious history of Texas high school football had one of its players been selected as the Gatorade National Player of the Year. The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Gilbert became the first as he led Lake Travis to a 16-0 record, the Class 4A state championship, and the No. 6 spot in the NHSCA Top 25 Large School National football rankings.
The University of Texas commitment, whose father is former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert, finished his career No. 2 on the state’s all-time passing list – behind only former Texas Tech University standout Graham Harrell – with 12,538 career yards and 136 touchdown passes on 895-of-1,368 passing. This year he passed for 4,851 yards and 55 touchdowns against just six interceptions, leading the Cavaliers to an average of 49 points per game. In a 48-23 victory over Longview High in the state championship game, he was 25-of-34 for 358 yards and four touchdowns.
Gilbert attended Texas and played for three years before completing his degree. Upon graduation he transferred to Southern Methodist University to complete his collegiate career. He finished with 9,761 yards and 49 touchdowns over the course of his career and a record of 47-37.
Gilbert was drafted by the Rams in the 2014 NFL draft. Gilbert was on a handful of different teams before ending up in Cleveland in 2019, where he played 5 games for the Browns this season. Prior to Cleveland, Gilbert also played for the Orlando Apollo, an Alliance of American Football team, where he led with 157 completions for a league-best 2,152 yards.
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Jeannette High School
Pryor was the leader of Jeanette’s stellar performance his senior season. Pryor continued on to play in the NFL.
Pryor was the leader of Jeanette’s stellar performance his senior season. Pryor continued on to play in the NFL.
Terrelle Pryor
Jeannette High School
Impact Statement
Pryor was the leader of Jeanette’s stellar performance his senior season. Pryor continued on to play in the NFL.
Biography
The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Pryor broke records on both sides of the ball as he led Jeannette to a 16-0 record, the Class AA state championship, and the No. 4 spot in the NHSCA Top 25 Small School National football rankings. The Ohio State University commitment became the first Pennsylvania high school player ever to run and pass for more than 4,000 yards in his career. He rushed for 4,238 yards, averaging 9.7 yards per carry, and completed 232 of 399 passes for 4,340 yards.
His senior season, despite going the distance in only five of his team’s 16 games, he rushed for 1,899 yards (13.2 average) and 33 touchdowns and completed 87 of 130 passes for 1,889 yards and 23 scores. Pryor was selected as National Player of the Year by Parade magazine and the All-USA Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today.
At Ohio State, Pryor was named the 2008 Big Ten Rookie of the Year as he led the Buckeyes to an 8-1 record while starting. In 2010, he was the MVP of the Rose Bowl.
Pryor was drafted in 2011 by the Oakland Raiders, where he played until he was traded in 2014 to the Seahawks.
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Trinity Catholic High School
Brantley led Trinity Catholic to two appearances in the state finals, winning one.
Brantley led Trinity Catholic to two appearances in the state finals, winning one.
John Brantley
Trinity Catholic High School
Impact Statement
Brantley led Trinity Catholic to two appearances in the state finals, winning one.
Biography
In a state that may produce more elite football players than any other, Brantley stood out even in his state’s deep talent pool. The 6-foot-3, 198-pound quarterback, who threw for 2,766 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior, led Trinity Catholic to the Class 2B state title as a junior and a state runnerup finish as a senior.
As a junior and senior, Brantley directed an offense that averaged 50 points per game while building a 27-game winning streak. In his career he threw a state-record 99 touchdown passes and was intercepted just 14 times, passing for 6,802 yards with a 61.5 completion percentage. The Gatorade National High School Player of the Year, Brantley was the MVP of the EA Sports/Nike Elite 11 Camp and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He will attend the University of Florida.
While at Florida, Brantley saw playing time all four years As a senior, he passed for 4,750 yards and threw 30 touchdowns as a Gator.
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Morris High School
“I like to be the guy who can come up and hit instead of always being hit.” -John Dergo
“I like to be the guy who can come up and hit instead of always being hit.” -John Dergo
John Dergo
Morris High School
Impact Statement
“I like to be the guy who can come up and hit instead of always being hit.” -John Dergo
Biography
He won’t be playing football in college, but no player anywhere was more versatile or more important to his team than Dergo. He wore No. 5 and was a five-way standout as a running back, linebacker, kick returner, placekicker and punter.
As a senior, the Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year rushed for 3,010 yards – the second-highest single-season total in state history – and scored a state-record 53 touchdowns to lead Morris to a 14-0 record and the Class 5A state title. His 110 career touchdowns also are a state record. In a 28-21 quarterfinal victory over eight-time state champion Joliet Catholic Academy, Dergo rushed for 366 yards, scored four touchdowns, and made two game-saving interceptions in the end zone, and he added 206 yards, a touchdown and 14 tackles in the state title game. He also averaged 36 yards as a punter and kicked 53 of 64 extra points and two of three field goals, including a 37-yarder.
Dergo was a two-time state wrestling champion and earned a wrestling scholarship to the University of Illinois. While at Illinois, Dergo competed in wrestling and was a four time NCAA Qualifier and placed 5th at the 2010 NCAA Championships as a Senior.
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Christian Brothers Academy
Paulus was a multiple sport athlete who had success on the football field and the basketball court in high school and college.
Paulus was a multiple sport athlete who had success on the football field and the basketball court in high school and college.
Greg Paulus
Christian Brothers Academy
Impact Statement
Paulus was a multiple sport athlete who had success on the football field and the basketball court in high school and college.
Biography
Paulus had a season – and a career – for the ages. The quarterback led Christian Brothers Academy to a 13-0 record and its first-ever Class AA state title, passing for 376 yards and three touchdowns and earning MVP honors as he rallied his team past New Rochelle High, 41-35 in the title game.
As a senior he completed 65.5 per cent of his passes for 3,677 yards, breaking his own state record, and 43 touchdowns, just short of his own state record of 45 as a junior. His 11,760 career passing yards, 152 career touchdown passes and 543 passing yards in one game also are state records. However, the 6-foot-3 Paulus, who sports a 92 per cent average in the classroom, will play basketball in college instead, joining NHSCA Boys Basketball Player of the Year Josh McRoberts in Duke University’s freshman class.
Paulus did attend and played basketball for Duke under legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski from 2005 until 2009. As Paulus stated, “Basketball has always been my first love. Second, I want to be the point guard at Duke. I don’t want any obstacle to get in my way of that, even if that means giving up football.”
Upon graduation, still with a year of eligibility, Paulus enrolled at Syracuse and was voted as team captain. Paulus completed 193 passes out of 285, which set the single season record in the school’s history.
Paulus entered the coaching realm after graduation. After being an assistant at Navy, Ohio State, Louisville, and George Washington. In the fall of 2019, Paulus was hired as the Interim Head Coach at Niagara University.
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Loveland High School
“It’s mind-blowing to think that I actually got that unique opportunity and I was so blessed to be able to do that.”
-Jeff Byers
“It’s mind-blowing to think that I actually got that unique opportunity and I was so blessed to be able to do that.”
-Jeff Byers
Jeff Byers
Loveland High School
Impact Statement
“It’s mind-blowing to think that I actually got that unique opportunity and I was so blessed to be able to do that.”
-Jeff Byers
Biography
In Football Jeff Byers from Loveland High School is this year’s honoree as an NHSCA Senior Athlete of the Year. Byers, 6-foot-4 and 287 pounds, led Loveland to its second Class 4A state championship in four years. A 3.9 GPA student, Byers played center without allowing a sack in his three years as a starter.
Although recruited by the top collegiate programs in the nation primarily for offense, the future USC Trojan was equally impressive on defense during his senior campaign. His nearly unbelievable statistics include 203 total tackles, 97 of them coming solo and 55 being for a loss; 10 sacks and 14 forced fumbles.
Despite two hip surgeries and two back injuries during college, Byers persevered and went on to play in the NFL for the Denver Broncos for one season and the Carolina Panthers from 2011 until his retirement in 2014.
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Parkland High School
Scott set the all-time single-season rushing record in the greatly respected football state of Pennsylvania this year when he carried for 3, 853 yards.
Scott set the all-time single-season rushing record in the greatly respected football state of Pennsylvania this year when he carried for 3, 853 yards.
Austin Scott
Parkland High School
Impact Statement
Scott set the all-time single-season rushing record in the greatly respected football state of Pennsylvania this year when he carried for 3, 853 yards.
Biography
“Austin Scott demonstrated what an athlete’s desire and commitment can lead to, when he recovered from a devastating injury in his junior season to set the Pennsylvania rushing record as a senior,” said NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro. “The NHSCA is proud to honor Austin Scott as the National High School Senior Football Athlete of the Year.”
After missing his entire junior season to a knee injury, Scott set the all-time single-season rushing record in the greatly respected football state of Pennsylvania this year when he carried for 3, 853 yards. During the amazing stretch Scott also tallied record totals of 53 touchdowns and 318 points scored.
The 6′ 1″ Scott, who has a 4.4 speed in the 40-yard at 200 pounds, now holds the fourth greatest single-season rushing total in nation’s history. He will continue his academic and football careers at Penn State University.
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St. Bonaventure High School
” I like to think I played with a lot of heart.”
–Lorenzo Booker
” I like to think I played with a lot of heart.”
–Lorenzo Booker
Lorenzo Booker
St. Bonaventure High School
Impact Statement
” I like to think I played with a lot of heart.”
–Lorenzo Booker
Biography
“Athletes like Lorenzo Booker are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best football players not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.”
It is the second straight year that a running back from Ventura has been selected the NHSCA Athlete of the Year; Tyler Ebell of Ventura High received the award last year. Booker, who will attend Florida State University, was selected as the Gatorade National Player of the Year after becoming his state’s all-time leading rusher with 8,269 yards, scoring 126 of his 132 career touchdowns on the ground. His 850 career points also are a state record. As a senior, he rushed for 2,869 yards, averaging more than nine yards per carry as he led St. Bonaventure to a third consecutive divisional title.
Booker also was named the winner of the Ken Hall Trophy, the equivalent of college football’s Heisman Trophy, by the San Antonio (Texas) Downtown Rotary Club, and participated in the inaugural U.S. Army All-American Bowl in January, leading the West squad to a 26-6 victory over the East. Sports Illustrated magazine also recognized Booker’s distinguished career with a mention in its “Faces in the Crowd” section this year.
Booker led the Seminole with carries and was second in rushing yards his Sophmore year. His Junior year, he led the Noles in carries, rushing, and touchdowns.
Booker was drafted in the 3rd round (71st overall) at the 2007 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Booker has played for the Dolphins, Eagles, Vikings and Bears in the NFL.
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Community Service
Booker has done extensive volunteering and is giving back to the Venutra Family YMCA (store above).
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Venture High School
“It (football) teaches you that hard work and preparation can be the difference between success and failure.”
-Tyler Ebell
“It (football) teaches you that hard work and preparation can be the difference between success and failure.”
-Tyler Ebell
Tyler Ebell
Venture High School
Impact Statement
“It (football) teaches you that hard work and preparation can be the difference between success and failure.”
-Tyler Ebell
Biography
“Athletes like Tyler Ebell are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best football players not only in the state of California, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.”
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound Ebell, who will attend UCLA, set a national single-season rushing record last fall, piling up 4,502 yards in 14 games, an average of 321 yards per contest. His 64 touchdowns are second on the all-time single season list. Ebell rushed for more than 300 yards 10 times this year, and rushed for 284 yards to help his team beat Arroyo Grande High in the Division IV Southern Section championship game.
In his career, Ebell rushed for 7,526 yards, a state record. A finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award, Ebell was selected to play in the inaugural National High School Football All-Star Game in December. He also was selected National Player of the Year by SchoolSports.com.
Ebell went on to play professional football in the Canadian Football League from 2007-2009.
In 2018, Ebell was inducted to the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame. Ebell is now a deputy with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
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Lockport High School
Beck was a three-sport athlete, was a New York State Champ in wrestling, named All-State for football and threw the shot put and discus in track and field.
Beck was a three-sport athlete, was a New York State Champ in wrestling, named All-State for football and threw the shot put and discus in track and field.
David Beck
Lockport High School
Impact Statement
Beck was a three-sport athlete, was a New York State Champ in wrestling, named All-State for football and threw the shot put and discus in track and field.
Biography
The 6″6″ 275-pound Beck, an offensive lineman, was a first team All-State selection. In addition, he was selected All-Western New York and Lineman of the Year. His performance on the offensive and defensive lines this year was critical to Lockport High’s success in 1999, as the team advanced to the Section 6 finals played at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park.
“Athletes like David Beck are among the success stories produced in high school athletics today,” NHSCA executive director Bob Ferraro said. “He has worked extremely hard to develop his skills and has become one of the best football players not only in the state of New York, but the entire nation, and we are proud to be honoring him.”
A three-sport athlete, Beck also was the Section 6 Class A wrestling champion at 275 pounds as a senior and threw the shot put and discus for the Lockport track team. His volunteer work includes two missionary trips to Mexico, two years as a volunteer for the United Way and Helping Hands programs. He will attend Edinboro University of Pennsylvania this fall on a football scholarship.
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Community Service
Volunteer for United Way and Helping Hands
