2009 National High
School Scholar-Athletes
|
| Honoree |
Region |
Location |
Attending |
| Brenton Caprio |
East Region |
Linwood, N.J. |
The College of William & Mary |
| John Gilboy |
Northeast Region |
Saco, Maine |
Colby College (Maine) |
| Matt Lancaster |
Midwest Region |
West Lafayette, Ind. |
Illinois State University |
| Gavin Mills |
West Region |
Powell, Wyo. |
Air Force Academy |
| Jamal-Rashad Patterson |
Greater Atlanta Chapter |
McDonough, Ga. |
Stanford University |
Comprised of
120 chapters with 12,000 members, the NFF Chapter Network covers more than 400,000 student-athletes at 4,800
high schools nationwide. The NFF Chapter Network annually reviews the credentials of the best and the brightest
from each school, ranking them on their academic
achievement, athletic performance and community
leadership and selecting 3,300 student-athletes for
recognition at local award banquets while distributing nearly $1 million in scholarships.
From this pool of our nation's best, a national committee then
selects five individuals for the recognition as NFF
National High School Scholar-Athletes as the best of the best at at the NFF's Chapter Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Sprinturf, in December at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. First bestowed in 1991, the NFF
National High School Scholar-Athlete Award has
become one of the most prestigious high school
honors in the country.
"With the National High School Scholar-Athlete
Awards, the NFF annually strives to honor the absolute
finest from the gridiron at the high school level," said
NFF President & CEO Steven J.
Hatchell. "The accomplishments of this year's
five nominees make us all proud, and their
contributions both on and off the field set the standard
for their peers to follow, and I thank Sprinturf for joining
us in our efforts to promote what these individuals
represent."
Brenton Caprio
East Region
Mainland Regional High School – Linwood, New Jersey
South Jersey Chapter
Brenton Caprio symbolizes everything right about high school football. His reputation for sportsmanship, competitive energy and drive for academic excellence at Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, N.J., simply defined him as the best of the best in the East Region.
As team captain, Caprio led by example setting numerous school and league records at quarterback. In his senior campaign, Brenton passed for 2,065 yards and 27 touchdowns while also rushing 159 times for 890 yards and another 21 touchdowns. His career passing total of 4,298 set a new school mark, and his 46 career passing scores established school and Cape Atlantic records. He added another 42 touchdowns on the ground. He garnered First Team All-State, All-Group and All-South Jersey honors and was selected the Atlantic City Press Player of the Year and the Maxwell Club Tri-State High School Player of the Year.
In the classroom, Caprio produced an equally impressive record, maintaining a 4.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale while taking AP and honors courses in virtually every subject. A member of the National Honor Society, he made the Honor/Merit roll every marking period of his high school career while also earning student of the month honors.
“In my thirty years of coaching high school football, Brent is the finest person and leader I have ever had the pleasure to coach”, said Mainland head coach Bob Coffey. “He was the heart and soul of our team. He led by example.”
Active in the community, Caprio volunteered for numerous community charities including the D.A.R.E. program and the Mainland Blood Drive. He volunteered as a freshman mentor and served as an alter server at his church.
Caprio is currently attending The College of William & Mary and playing football for the Tribe.
John Gilboy
Northeast Region
Thornton Academy – Saco, Maine
State of Maine Chapter
A dedicated student-athlete, John Gilboy excelled in all aspects of high school, producing a record that won universal admiration from his peers, teacher and coaches at Thornton Academy in the Pine Tree State.
A three-year letterman, Gilboy led the Golden Trojans his senior year as team captain and a two-way starter at offensive guard and defensive tackle. A semifinalist for the Fitzpatrick Trophy, which goes to the top senior high school player in Maine, Gilboy earned All-Conference and All-County honors in back-to-back years at guard. A member of the SMAA All-Academic Team, he earned a spot on The Maine Sunday Telegram “Class of the State” team, and The Journal Tribune named him to its All-Star team.
While taking AP and Honors courses, Gilboy maintained a 4.28 GPA and graduated third in his class of 320. He received certificates of excellence in advanced math, advanced U.S. History, Latin I, II, III & IV, as well as honors in biology, chemistry, algebra and English. Following two terms as president of his class, Gilboy was elected president of the entire student body his senior year. He also served as vice president in the National Honor Society.
“John’s innate work ethic also carries over to the playing field,” said Thornton head coach Kevin Kezal. “John played at a very high level and was one of the main reasons we were able to have a 10-1 record and play in our league’s championship game. He is a strong student-athlete who I believe his best academic and athletic years are still ahead of him.”
As a leader in the community and with a passion for giving back, Gilboy traveled to the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. His other community service includes volunteering at a local soup kitchen, Toys for Tots and MLK Day of Service.
Gilboy currently plays defensive tackle for Colby College (Maine) and is in the pre-med program.
Matt Lancaster
Midwest Region
West Lafayette High School – West Lafayette, Indiana
Joe Tiller/Northwest Indiana Chapter
A standout in the classroom and on the playing field, Matt Lancaster exemplified every aspect of term “student-athlete” during his highly successful career at West Lafayette High School.
A duel threat at quarterback, Lancaster threw for 2,349 yards and 30 touchdowns while rushing for 1,129 yards and another 17 touchdowns his senior year. The team captain his senior year, he currently holds most of the offensive records at West Lafayette High School, including career total offense with a combined passing and rushing total of 7,457 yards. Garnering numerous off season accolades, Lancaster was named First Team All-State QB, Big School Player of the Year, Academic All-State and team MVP. A three-time All-Hoosier Conference selection, he is only the third player in school history to accomplish that feat.
In the classroom, Lancaster compiled an impressive 3.92 grade point average on a 4.0 scale while taking a class schedule loaded with advanced placement and honors courses. He was named to the Academic All-State team in not only football but also in basketball and baseball. A member of the National Honor Society, he made the honor roll every semester and received an Academic Honors Diploma. Lancaster also plays the violin and was a member of the school orchestra for nine years.
“In my 35 years of teaching and 30 years of coaching I have been associated with some very special players,” said West Lafayette head coach Marshall Overley. “As an athlete, Matt is one of the best we have had at West Side. He excels as a leader and is a man of integrity.”
Active in the community, Lancaster participated in hunger hikes, food drives, visiting the elderly, and summer tutoring. He also was a strong participant in his church and youth group.
Lancaster is attending Illinois State University on a full-football scholarship while a member of the Redbirds team.
Gavin Mills
West Region
Powell Senior High School – Powell, Wyoming
Wyoming Chapter
Setting a bar that will be difficult to reach, Gavin Mills built an exceptional legacy at Powell Senior High School that extends far beyond an impressive résumé and only reveals a small fraction of his individual talents.
A team captain his junior and senior year, Mills earned First Team All-State and All-Conference honors for three consecutive years. In 2007, he was named the Class 4-A Defensive Player of the Year. As a wide receiver, Mills made 66 receptions for 905 yards and 17 touchdowns. As a free safety, he recorded 335 defensive points, including 67 unassisted tackles, 103 assisted tackles, 11 pass break-ups, 11 pass interceptions and three fumble recoveries over his career.
The valedictorian of his class, Mills tallied a 4.0 GPA and scored 27 on his ACT. A three-year member of the National Honor Society, he claimed the Distinguished Scholastic Achievement Award and the Wyoming Coaches Association Academic Award all four years of his high school career.
“As an athlete, Gavin exemplifies the greatest qualities a coach can ask,” said Powell coach Jim Stringer. “He is self motivated with a work ethic second to none. In my 18 years of coaching I have been fortunate to meet many wonderful student athletes from all walks of life, but only a rare few have had the type of impact on me as Gavin Mills! The positive impact he made on his school and community will be felt long after he is gone!”
An outstanding leader, Mills was student body president his senior year and class president his junior year. Active in his church he was a Sunday school teacher and member of the youth group music team. Mills also volunteered for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Heartland Assisted Living facility and the community food drive.
Mills is attending the United States Air Force Academy, playing football and studying pre-med.
Jamal-Rashad Patterson
South Region
Henry County High School – McDonough, Georgia
Greater Atlanta Chapter
Henry County High School’s Jamal-Rashad Patterson displayed a passion for excellence that has allowed him to succeed on the highest level in academics, athletics and as a leader in the community.
Ranked sixth in a class of 211, Patterson maintained an amazing 4.65 GPA on a 4.0 scale. A member of the National Honor Society, Patterson’s impressive list of academic awards includes the 2009 President’s Citation Award, United States Achievement Award, National Beta Club, and National Society of High School Scholars. Listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students, he received a prestigious 2009 Watkins Award, which is presented to the top African-American scholar-athletes in the United States.
On the gridiron, Patterson was a Gatorade Player of the Year finalist, All-State, and the Chick-fil-A Player of the Year. Patterson’s career marks at wide receiver include 172 receptions for 3,068 yards and 48 touchdowns. Selected to play in both the Under Armour and U.S. Army All-American games, Patterson was rated a top 25 player by Rivals.Com and Scout.Com while also ranking in ESPN’s top 150.
“A student like Jamal comes along once in a lifetime for a coach because he is well rounded student, an athlete and a role model for the underclassmen,” said Mike Rozier, the head coach at Henry County High School. “Jamal is a great reflection of his parents. Henry County High School is extremely proud of him and his off the field accomplishments.”
A top track athlete, Patterson is a three-time state champion in the 300m hurdles and set the state record for the event in 2009. A firm believer in giving back, Patterson played an active role in numerous community service activities and charities, including being a mentor and speaker with several Atlanta area youth groups.
Patterson is currently attending Stanford University playing football for the Cardinal.
NFF
