Anthony Annuziata Wins Paci Family Football Award

The Paci family is synonymous with Huntington High School football. The Paci’s have been associated with the Blue Devil gridiron program in one way or another for more than 50 years. So when Anthony Annunziata won this year’s Paci Family Football Leadership Award and the personalized plaque and $500 stipend that goes with it, the teenager knew it was something very special.

The scholarship was presented at last week’s Blue Devil senior athletic awards ceremony in the high school auditorium. Hundreds of seniors, parents and district officials attended the festivities.

“The Paci Family Football Leadership Award honors a family that for three generations has been integrally involved in the Blue Devil football program,” master of ceremonies Michael Schwendemann told the crowd. “It is presented to a player who exemplifies everything that the Paci family holds dear: Scholarship in the classroom; leadership on and off the field; an unquenchable desire to win; sportsmanship and fair play; fun in competition and high personal standards along with an admirable set of goals.”

Mr. Annunziata played on the Blue Devil varsity football and lacrosse teams, serving as captain of both squads. His remarkable organizational and preparation skills allowed him to excel on and off the field. He’s always ready for whatever obstacle he needs to overcome in order to accomplish his goals. Life is about relationships for him and he’s made so many good ones during his time in Huntington. He plans to study business at Yale University.

An All-Division quarterback and All-American lacrosse player, Mr. Annunziata always played to win. Yale recruited him to play on its NCAA Division I lacrosse team.

John Paci, Jr. coached the Blue Devils for many years and his sons, John Paci III and James Paci both starred on the team at quarterback. John Paci IV was the most recent family member to wear a Huntington uniform. He earned All-State honors at quarterback before heading off to Lafayette College.

The Paci family has continued supporting the Blue Devil football program, including a substantial commitment to Huntington in the coming season, which marks the team’s 100th anniversary.