Thomas Kline Garners Outstanding Defensive Back Award

Hard-hitting Thomas Kline was presented with this year’s Outstanding Defensive Back Award at the Blue Devil football team’s annual dinner in the Huntington High School cafeteria.

The junior is one of the Blue Devils’ top football and lacrosse players and he’s an exceptional student, too. The teenager compiled a 97 academic grade average in the second marking period.

Huntington’s varsity coach Malcolm Eugene presented the award to Kline during a dinner in the school cafeteria that attracted a crowd of about 250 parents, players, coaches and district officials including Superintendent Christian Bowen and Assistant Superintendent Christopher Hender.

“Tommy Kline may be short in stature, but he plays like he’s a giant,” Blue Devil head coach Ronald Wilson said. “It took him a while to ‘open those hands’ to catch the ball, but once he did he became one of our top receivers and safeties. He’s already gotten bigger and stronger and will definitely be one to watch next season.

The dinner crowd also included retired coaches Steve Henry and Pete Sansiviero, a 1956 Huntington alum. Retired Sachem coach and current John H. Glenn part-time coach Fred Fusaro, a 1961 Huntington alum, also attended the dinner and spoke to the crowd prior to presenting an award. John H. Glenn head coach and Elwood UFSD athletic director David Shanahan also attended the festivities and was the event’s guest speaker.

The 5’8, 160 lb. Kline wears uniform No. 19. He plays wide receiver and defensive back. The teenager has been quietly making his mark in both football and lacrosse at Huntington High School.