Finley Football Awards Presented at Dinner

Four J. Taylor Finley Middle School football players were recognized by their coaches at the recent Blue Devil football dinner and awards night at the Halesite Fire Department.

Finley coaches Kevin Thorbourne and Travis Smith were on hand to present the awards before a crowd of about 250, including Superintendent Beth McCoy and Principal Rochelle Brown. (Head coach Anthony Annunziata was unavailable.)

The honorees at the Blue Devil dinner included David Bergmann III (Most Outstanding Offensive Player), Shane LeGrow (Most Outstanding Defensive Player), Jason Bencivenga (The Joe Lucey Coaches Award) and Dom Leotta (Team Most Valuable Player). Each of the four players was presented with a large trophy.

Thorbourne enthusiastically reviewed the season and spoke energetically about the four award recipients. The coach noted this was a developmental year and said he feels the stage has been set for future success.

Finley seventh and eighth graders who played on the team last fall as well as those who didn’t play, but who are interested in football, have been invited to participate in intramurals this winter and spring. Huntington varsity head coach Ronald E. Wilson is making a concerted effort to build participation in the program and improve its competitiveness.

The four Finley players got all dressed up for the awards dinner, including wearing ties. They proudly held their trophies while standing before the big crowd alongside their coaches.