2020 Winners
Casey Contreras, Steinbrenner High School
Wide Receiver/Linebacker
Casey has been a selfless and generous leader of the Flag Football program since her freshman year. As a result of her impact as an academic leader, teammate, and mentor the team is now the four-time defending 2A Academic State Champion – an honor awarded to the team with the best combined GPA in the state.
“Where she embodies the spirit of Will Bill Minahan is in that she helps others persevere and become the best versions of themselves while asking for nothing in return.”
Coach Gregory G. Puskas
Jared Watson, Berkeley Prep School
Offensive Lineman
Even last year’s diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma did not slow Jared down. During treatment he devoted time and concern to the health of the younger children on the floor. All the white, despite chemotherapy he managed to accumulate 500+hours of community service with Meals on Wheels and Feeding Tampa Bay.
“A Global Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, and Class President, Jared is a leader on and off the field.”
Dominick Ciao, Head Football Coach
2019 Winners
Anaily Mendoza, Leto High School
Corner Back / Wide Receiver / Hybrid
A spiritual leader on and off the field, Anaily is determined and independent. She successfully balances the roles of a 3.6 weighted GPA scholar, 100+ for volunteer, NJROTC squadron leader, trusted employee, and extraordinary athlete with her family responsibilities.
“In Anaily…you have a well-balanced future leader in tomorrow’s society.”
Leto Head Coach Huegens Dessources
Deon Silas, Steinbrenner High School
Running Back / Special Teams
An elite athlete with a 3.35 GPA, Deon has overcome a youth beset by tragedy to become a dominant force in Tampa Bay athletics and as a role model for his teammates, classmates. He has harnessed strength from his path and lives everyday to be a better person for his mother, siblings and those he calls family…his team and community.
“This young man is first class in all he does.”
Steinbrenner Head Coach Gregory G. Puskas
2019 Runners Up
Football
James Ash, Chamberlain High School
Edwouens Marcelin, Wharton High School
Flag Football
Jacqueline Figueredo, Steinbrenner High School
Emily Kemp, Robinson High School
2018 Winners
Tre Everett, East Bay High School
Senior Running Back / Safety / Team Captain / Track & Field / Mentor / Survivor:
Coach Frank LaRosa knows quality when he sees it, “Tre Everett is the epitome of “blue-collar” and old-fashioned in every sense of the word. He takes great pride in his work ethic and always uses his story and strength to help mentor and guide our younger players.” Uncomplaining about the instability of his family life Everett has lived up to his motto of “No excuses!” His intrinsic motivation and desire to be successful has led him to a Division 1 scholarship to Eastern Kentucky University – he will be the first in his family to go to college.
Macy McClintock, Robinson High School Senior
Quarterback / Civic/Social Activist / Softball/Flag Football Trailblazer / Mentor:
When Coach Joshua Saunders explains how Macy McClintock “exemplifies and exceeds 100% determination” he does not mince words, “Macy is not a natural athlete where everything comes easy for her. She works for all of it.” The “all of it” includes academics, sports, civic and social activism, environmentalism, volunteerism, and mentorship. McClintock has been a part of the flag football team for all four years but has directed her time and efforts to issues and organizations outside of the program as well. McClintock is known within her school and community for her activism. She travels between practice to service projects, town halls and club meetings organizing, motivating, and raising awareness of various social activist movements.
2018 Runners Up
Football
Logan Kilburn, Steinbrenner High School Ari Mont-Stephens, Jefferson High School
Flag Football
Idalys Acosta, Alonso High School Ashley Bernard, Leto High School
2018 Inaugural Girl’s Flag Football Winner
Sydney Johnson, Plant High School
Sydney has been a four-year member of the varsity flag football team and a two-time member of the FACA All-State team. She will be nominated for that honor again this season. She is a two time defensive MVP, has led the team in receptions, touchdowns, and yards receiving this year and she never comes off the field. She maintains a 6.0 GPA and will be attending Howard University. Sydney has volunteered over 500 hours of Community Service.
“Her success on the field is attributed to her great athletic ability, but the most important quality Sydney possesses is the love and respect she has for her teammates.”
Plant Head Coach Po Puckett
2018 Runners Up
Lauren King, Robinson High School Enisa Morris, Leto High School
Abbie Macferran, Steinbrenner High School Natalia Quintero, Steinbrenner High School
2017 Winner
Wilson Morse, Hillsborough High School
Wilson left his mark on the Terrier football field and also off it. A member of Hillsborough’s prestigious International Baccalaureate Program, Wilson helped his teammates with their schoolwork. He also set up a mentoring program through Robles Park Elementary. Wilson set up the program that rewards students good work in the classroom and citizenship. On the math portion of the SAT, Wilson achieved a perfect score. He will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.
“One of the finest young men I have ever had the chance to coach in my 44 year career.”
-Hillsborough head coach Earl Garcia
2017 Runners Up
Nicholas Petit-Frere, Berkeley Preparatory Camden Roth, Gaither High School
Charles Stephens, Steinbrenner High School Zach Warhul, Bloomingdale High School
2016 Winner
Daniel Morales, Spoto High School
Morales is a four-year letterman for the Spartans. He was a captain on the football team and he had the ability to change the culture of the program. Morales overcame shoulder and wrist injuries and missed only five plays his senior season. Off the field, Morales carries a 3.5 GPA and helped tutor his own teammates.
“It has always been awesome to see Daniel work with younger players both on the field and in the classroom making them better players, but most importantly, better students. The time he has spent working with students on their study habits, online classes, etc. has been very special for our coaches and players.”
-Spoto coach Dale Capareso
2016 Runners Up
Anfernee Alston, Robinson High School Harry Gonzalez, East Bay High School
Sam Skinner, Bloomingdale High School Alfonso Wooten, Middleton High School
2015 Winner
Joe Ryan, Plant High School
Joe is a four-year letterman for the Panthers. The last two seasons, he led Plant in tackles and was one of the top linebackers in the Bay Area. He has committed to play football at Army West Point. Off the field, Joe has a 6.0 GPA and volunteers as a camp counselor at Muscular Dystrophy Association Camp.
“I have not met a person with the character of Joe Ryan. He does not get mixed up in any of the high school drama and temptations that plague so many these days. In fact, he actively leads others away from such troubling waters.”
-Plant head football coach Robert Weiner
2015 Runners Up
Miguel Andrades, East Bay High School Eugene Baisden, Spoto High School
Ryan Bjelke, Brandon High School Jacques Reese-Bolden, Leto High School
2014 Winner
Markese Hargrove, Plant City High School
Markese set the bar high as the inaugural Bill Minahan Award winner. As a junior running back for the Raiders, Markese led the team in rushing, but it was his leadership qualities off the field that made him stand out. He showed a true commitment to helping others by tutoring his teammates struggling with math and science or by simply offering a ride no matter how far out of his way it took him.
This year, Markese helped lead the Raiders to the Class 7A regional championship game with 1,731 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He earned an academic scholarship to the University of South Florida and also a preferred walk-on spot with the Bulls football team.
2014 Runners Up
Ernest Mills Andrew Moss
Phillip Smith Jr. Darius Williams