WEST PALM BEACH – We have a star-studded night coming up (Dec. 5) at the Marriott Hotel in West Palm Beach.
The 31st Annual Lou Groza Awards Ceremony will highlight our best from what has transpired this season on the Palm Beach County high school football scene.
Every year there are four categories in which our entire area gets highly invested in. After all, winning a Lou Groza award is the highest one any player, coach, or team can receive in Palm Beach County.
So with that being said, let us go straight to the nominees for the following four categories.
LOU GROZA PLACEKICKER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
•Senior kicker/punter Anthony Hinds (Cardinal Newman): 47 touchbacks, 66-of-69 extra points, 7-of-8 field goals – 12 games played
•Junior kicker/punter Owen Howolecky (Seminole Ridge): 6-of-7 extra points, 7-of-10 field goals; made 51-yard field goal in Week 9 at Park Vista – 7 games played
•Junior kicker Jake Weinberg (Delray Beach American Heritage): 28-of-30 touchbacks, 17-of-17 extra points, 5-of-8 field goals; made 57-yard field goal in Week 6 vs. St. Andrew’s – 10 games played
LOU GROZA PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
•Senior quarterback Jacob Cashion (St. Andrew’s): 2,350 passing yards, 957 rushing yards; 46 total touchdowns, 3,307 total yards; 300.6 yards per game – 11 total games played
•Senior defensive end Deejay Holmes (Pahokee): 117 total tackles, 32.5 sacks (school record), 4 forced fumbles, 1 interception – 12 total games played
•Senior quarterback Will Prichard (Santaluces): 184-of-288 passing, 64 percent completion rate, 2,850 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, 2 interceptions – 11 games played
PRICHARD’S JOURNEY
Prichard, who has had a high school career to remember at both Santaluces and King’s Academy, spoke on his illustrious season and how it could result in him being the Lou Groza Player of the Year.
“It feels great to be nominated for this award because people like Lamar Jackson and Jacoby Brissett have won this award,” Prichard said. “So it means the world for me to be in the same conversation as them.”
Prichard had more to say about his nomination.
“My senior year was amazing,” Prichard said. “I set goals for myself before the season and I surpassed them, so it was very successful. I don’t think I could have done it without Coach Hector [Clavijo].”
LOU GROZA COACH OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
•Hector Clavijo (Santaluces): Led Santaluces to District 11-4M title and 8-2 regular season record; turned program around from last year’s 1-8 campaign
•Jack Daniels (Cardinal Newman): Led Cardinal Newman to District 5-1M title and a 10-0 regular season record; first undefeated regular season for Cardinal Newman since 1982
•Kevin Thompson (Palm Beach Central): Led Palm Beach Central to District 10-4M title and 9-1 regular season record in first season as head coach
PRICHARD’S CASE FOR CLAVIJO
All three head coaches have had amazing seasons in their own respective rights. But since we have already highlighted Daniels and Thompson in previous stories, we will focus on what Clavijo has done for Santaluces.
Prichard on why Clavijo should be the Lou Groza Coach of the Year:
“He deserves it because he has changed the culture at santaluces and it’s only going to get better,” Prichard said. “Having him as my coach changed my life for the better, so I am always going to support him no matter what.”
Prichard had more to say about Clavijo.
“If Coach Hector asks you to do something, you are going to give your very best to do it,” Prichard said. “He’s going to get on you when you aren’t doing what you’re supposed to do. But he’s going to guide you through things and make sure that you’re doing things the right way. With the caring personality he has, the kids are doing better in school, and everyone is giving their all for him. You can see it.”
LOU GROZA TEAM OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
Photo credits: Christian Proscia and Fred Self
Atlantic (Delray Beach) (7-3 regular season record; District 9-3M champion; Region 3-3M semifinalist; 8-4 final record)
•Cardinal Newman (10-0 regular season record; District 5-1M champion; first undefeated regular season record in 40 years; Region 3-1M finalist; 11-1 final record)
•Palm Beach Central (9-1 regular season record; District 10-4M champion; Region 3-4M champion; 4M state semifinalist; 12-2 final record; best season in school history)
LET US FIND OUT
The four top high school honorees will be revealed at certain points during the 31st Lou Groza Awards Ceremony. The start time is set for 7:30 p.m. tonight (Dec. 5).
All of the nominees were first revealed by ESPN West Palm on Nov. 11.
The Lou Groza Awards Ceremony is hosted and assembled by the Palm Beach Sports Commission.
PHOTO CREDITS: Christian Proscia and Fred Self
VIDEO CREDITS: Kevin Fielder and Jake Weinberg
