John P. Paci IV has followed in his father’s footsteps as the Huntington High School football team’s quarterback has been named All-State by the New York State Sportswriters’ Association.
Huntington senior John Paul Paci IV.
The 6’1, 180 lb. senior recently signed an NCAA Division I national letter of intent to play football at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. “I’m honored to be named to the All-State football team,” Paci said.
The teenager’s father, John P. Paci III won Newsday’s Hansen Award in 1989, which is presented to Suffolk’s most outstanding player. He went on to be the starting quarterback of Indiana University’s Big 10 team for three seasons and later played in the NFL and NFL Europe. He is now an executive with Morgan Stanley.
After tearing his ACL midway through his junior season, Paci returned to the field better than ever this past fall. Behind an almost entirely new offensive line, the senior completed 74 of 126 passes for 1,251 and 12 touchdowns. He also rushed 23 times for 229 yards and a pair of touchdowns, mostly on broken plays that saw him make the best of the situation for Huntington.
Paci’s grandfather, John Paci Jr. coached in the Huntington football program for more than two decades. His uncle, Dr. James Paci was also a Blue Devil quarterback and he went on to play at Yale University.
“This is a well-deserved honor for JP,” said Steve Muller, the Huntington football team’s head coach. “He was a great leader for us and a wonderful quarterback. His work ethic and will to win are second to none. All of us are very proud of him.”
All-New York State Football Players from Huntington
| Player | Year | Class | Height | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
John Paci IV |
2018 |
12 |
6-1 |
180 |
QB |
Troy Greene |
2013 |
12 |
6-1 |
190 |
All-Purpose |
Ben Kocis |
2013 |
12 |
6-2 |
190 |
QB |
Levar Butts |
2013 |
12 |
5-8 |
205 |
LB |
Trayvon Toney |
2010 |
11 |
6-2 |
220 |
LB |
Zach Howell |
2006 |
12 |
6-1 |
175 |
QB |
Shamel Bratton |
2006 |
12 |
6-2 |
180 |
E |
Rhamel Bratton |
206 |
12 |
6-2 |
180 |
E |
Zach Howell |
2005 |
11 |
6-0 |
170 |
QB |
Dominic Sair |
2005 |
12 |
5-11 |
235 |
LB |
Pierre Delva |
2003 |
12 |
6-1 |
215 |
LB |
Stephon Sair |
2001 |
12 |
5-11 |
170 |
S |
Curtis Williams |
1999 |
12 |
6-3 |
185 |
DB |
Paul Thompson |
1999 |
12 |
6-6 |
290 |
OL |
Rahmel Caleb |
1997 |
12 |
5-11 |
220 |
RB |
Dawid Rechul |
1997 |
12 |
6-1 |
220 |
OL |
John Paci III |
1989 |
12 |
6-4 |
198 |
QB |
Dawid Rechul |
1997 |
12 |
6-1 |
220 |
OL |
Darren Ward |
1987 |
12 |
6-2 |
180 |
DB |
Derek McCord |
1997 |
12 |
6-4 |
200 |
QB |
Sean Cooper |
1983 |
12 |
6-0 |
183 |
E |
Todd Jamison |
1978 |
12 |
5-10 |
185 |
QB |
Joe Puca |
1976 |
12 |
6-0 |
190 |
RB |
Mark Paar |
1971 |
12 |
6-2 |
165 |
DB |
Tony Fusaro |
1965 |
12 |
6-2 |
225 |
OT/DT |
