Palm Beach County Sports Commission

As part of the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Awards program, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission assembles a panel of Palm Beach County High School football coaches and select members of the local media to select the winners of three awards given out for excellence in Palm Beach County high school football:

• Outstanding Player of the Year Award
• Outstanding Place-Kicker of the Year Award
• Sam Budnyk Outstanding Coach of the Year Award

Near the end of the season, each voter is asked to submit three nominations in each of the three categories. After the nominations are received, the three individuals receiving the most nominations in each category become the finalists for the awards. At the annual Lou Groza Awards banquet in December the top three finalists are recognized and the winner is announced.

The Palm Beach County Player of the Year Award is given out annually to the top prep football player in Palm Beach County. The award is open to players of all grade levels and school classifications.

2011 PALM BEACH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNER

Will Likely - Glades Central

Will Likely is one of the most dynamic and versatile athletes to play high school football in Palm Beach County. At 5-foot-9 and 175-pounds, Likely isn't the biggest player on his team, but he very well might be the best. The Glades Central junior began the season with a 99 yard kick-off return for a touchdown and a highlight-reel touchdown catch in a 24-10 victory over Dwyer, which was televised nationally on ESPN. Since then, he has started at both defensive back and running back, while continuing to play some wide receiver and even quarterback.   Likely carried the ball for 676yards, and 11touchdowns on 108 carries. He also made 29 receptions for 519 yards and 6 touchdowns. As a defensive back, Likely made five interceptions. The multi-dimensional star led the Raiders to an undefeated regular season and district 14-5A championship.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Palm Beach County Place Kicker of the Year

The Palm Beach County Place-Kicker of the Year Award is given out annually to the top prep football place-kicker in Palm Beach County. The award is open to players of all grade levels and school classifications

2011 PALM BEACH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL PLACE-KICKER OF THE YEAR WINNER

Bobby Puyol - William T. Dwyer

There is not a weakness on the William T. Dwyer football team, including special teams and kicking due to the talented Bobby Puyol. The reliability of the senior kicker is a major reason why Dwyer finished the season with a 9-1 record and a district championship. Bobby played a pivotal role for Dwyer’s powerful offense, kicking 8 field goals without a miss, including a bomb from 54 yards, the longest field goal in Dwyer history and he added 38 extra points. Puyol is a versatile football player. In addition to kicking, he passed for 130 yards and a touchdown, in limited time at quarterback. Bobby Puyol is nominated as a finalist for High School Kicker of the Year for the second consecutive season. Next year, he will be kicking for the University of Connecticut, a perennial force in the Big East Conference.

 

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Sam Budnyk Coach of the Year

The Sam Budnyk Coach of the Year Award is given out annually to the top prep football coach in Palm Beach County. The award is named in honor of legendary coach Sam Budnyk, head football coach at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, FL.

2011 SAM BUDNYK COACH OF THE YEAR WINNER

Brian Dodds -Park Vista High School

Coach Brian Dodds directed Park Vista to its first undefeated regular season in the program’s eight year history in 2011. The Cobra’s finished the with a 9-1 record, winning the district 10-8A championship. Dodds coached one of the strongest defenses and most balanced offenses in Palm Beach County. Park Vista’s defensive unit only allowed 10 points per game and the offensive unit gained 200 rushing and 100 passing yards per game. His teams have amassed 46 wins against 19 losses in six seasons. Dodds has led the Cobras to 4 playoff appearances, a regional final, and 2 district championships. Coach Dodds won the Lou Groza Coach of the year award in 2001, and again in 2007, and has been nominated a total of 5 times. 

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2011 PALM BEACH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL TEAM OF THE YEAR WINNER

Glades Central

Glades Central High School has built a football dynasty, finishing the 2011 season undefeated and winning the District 14-5A Championship. They defeated their opponents by an average of 37 points per game and orchestrated one of the most impressive finishes to a season in Palm Beach County history, winning their last 3 games by a combined score of 203 to 14. The Raider defense was one of the best in the State, allowing only 7.4 points per game and recording 3 shutouts. Led by offensive stars, such as running back, Will Likely, wide receiver, Jaime Wilson, and quarter back, Tanner Redish, the Raider offense averaged 143 rushing yards per game, 153 passing yards per game, and an amazing 45 points per game.  

Groza Committee Chair, Bill Davis welcomes local awards candidates during 2007 Banquet.