Lou Groza Award Local Winners Announced

 

Park Vista High School Coach, Brian Dodds became the first ever two time winner of the Sam Budnyk Coach of the Year Award  when the winners were announced at last night’s 16th annual Lou Groza Awards Banquet presented by Fed Ex at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott.  Also announced were High School Kicker of the Year Daniel Riddle of William T. Dwyer and Player of the Year Star Jackson of Palm Beach Lakes.

Dodds, who previously won the award while at Boca Raton High School in 2001, led Park Vista to a 9-2 record and the first district championship in the school’s brief history.  The Cobras have made the playoffs in the two seasons since Dodds made the move from Boca Raton.  The other finalists for the Sam Budnyk Award were Kevin McCleod of Inelt Grove High School and Blaze Thompson of Pahokee High School.

Leg strength was the signature of Riddle, the senior from William T. Dwyer who set the school record with a 50 yard field goal.  He was successful on 11 of his 13 field goals and 29 extra point tries and his kick offs resulted in 34 touchbacks.  Riddle was ranked second among all South Florida  prep kickers.  The other Kicker of the Year finalists wee Emanuel Charlot of Palm Beach Lakes, Brendan Gibbons of Cardinal Newman and Myles Jackson of The Kings Academy.

Jackson, the senior quarterback from Palm Beach Lakes who didn’t begin playing football until his sophomore season, passed for 1700 yards his senior season.  He led Palm Beach County in total offense.  College scouts are well award of his talents, he received inquiries from 25 Division 1A schools and has made an oral commitment to the University of Alabama.  The other Player of the year Finalists were Myles Jackson who is the first player ever nominated in two categories and Martavious Odoms of Pahokee High school.

Winners for these awards were chosen by Palm Beach County high school head football coaches and Palm Beach County media representatives. A check for $1,000 is presented to the athletic department of each of the winning schools.

The Lou Groza Award is presented by the FedEx Orange Bowl and is also sponsored by The Breakers, Bus One, LLC, Continental Airlines, Discretion Entertainment LLC, Enterprise rent-a-car, ESPN Radio 760, ESPN Regional Television, Hartless Foundation, JBS Destination Solutions, McGladrey & Pullen LLP, Palm Beach Kennel Club, The Palm Beach Post, Parallax Productions, Romano Law Group, Rooney’s Public House, The Tux Shop, and WPEC News 12.

For more information regarding the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, including banquet, hotel, and ticket information please contact the Palm Beach County Sports Institute at (561) 233-3180