(Big State Sports did not create this list)
Quarterback David Smith, who quarterbacked Butler to sectional championships the last two years, has been named the John Chirrona Offensive Player of the Year by the Morris County Football Coaches Association.
Smith and the other honorees will be feted at the MCFCA banquet, which will be held at a date and time to be determined.
Smith rushed and passed for a combined 4,997 yards and 76 touchdowns over the last two years as the Bulldogs captured titles in North 1, Group I. His award is named after the longtime Morristown coach who was renowned for his team’s explosive offenses.
Butler also captured the NJIC championship in both seasons with Smith at quarterback.
Butler coach Jason Luciani was named the William O. Regan Coach of the Year by the MCFCA. The award is named for the longtime and highly successful Delbarton coach.
Butler had two other representatives on the team in Cole Benicasa and Evan Croker, both of whom were named on the defense.
Kinnelon linebacker Wyatt Sisco was named the Pete Piccirillo Defensive Player of the Year. He had 140 tackles, including six behind the line, forced two fumbles and recovered one. He also rushed for 902 yards and six TDs.
Piccirillo was the longtime West Morris coach whose teams were known for their hard-nosed defenses.
Mount Olive standout Brayden Longo was named the Gerry Gallagher Special Teams Player of the Year after having returned three kickoffs and one punt for touchdowns this year. He also rushed for 1363 yards and 22 TDs. Gallagher, who passed away this past summer, was a longtime college coach (William Paterson) as well as successful head coach at Montville and assistant at such schools as Delbarton, Boonton, Parsippany and Morris Knolls.
West Morris standout two-way lineman Tom Borgia, who helped key a running attack that accumulated over 4,500 yards rushing for the North 2, Group III champions, was named the Bill Regan Offensive Lineman of the Year after the 49-year Morris Knolls coach known best for developing rugged offensive lines.
Mount Olive defensive lineman James Giammanco, who helped key the Marauders defense up front, is the Doug Wilkins Defensive Lineman of the Year, named after the longtime Mountain Lakes coach who had a habit for his team’s physical defenders up front.
Kevin Hennelly Jr., the son of longtime West Morris coach Kevin Hennelly, was named the John Bauer Assistant Coach of the Year after the highly successful Randolph head coach.
Here are the other athletes who will be honored for offense:
Chatham: Shep Boyd and Sonny Arden
Delbarton: Matt Tafuri
Hanover Park: Dante Rosato and Jack Kovacs
Jefferson: Jason Post
Madison: Luke McGuire
Montville: Brett Kunkel
Morris Catholic: Ethan Everett
Morris Knolls: Jaylin Jones
Morristown: Jasiah Brown
Morristown-Beard: Oscar Speranza
Mountain Lakes: Carson Fitch
Pequannock: Dylan Roemmele
Roxbury: Frankie Falco
West Morris: Deacon Frayne
Whippany Park: Darrian Jackson
Here are the players honored for defense:
Boonton: Jack McLaughlin
Butler: Cole Benicasa and Evan Croker
Delbarton: Emmett Caughey
Dover: Bradyn Brown
Kinnelon: Soren Porada
Madison: Carter Ferris
Mendham: Ralph Langone
Montville: RJ Fardo
Morris Hills: Tyler DiSanto
Morris Knolls: Timmy Wiedman
Mount Olive: Justin Bullock
Mountain Lakes: Holden Gillespie
Parsippany: Rocco Marucci
Parsippany Hills: Nick Vico
Randolph: Jackson Magley
Roxbury: Matthew Donnelly
