News Summary

The annual Staten Island high school football awards ceremony recently celebrated the remarkable achievements of local talent for the 2024 season. Notable awards included the Coach Dennis Barrett Leadership and Service Award and the Fugazzi Award, recognizing exceptional athletes like Evan Dukes and Kasiem Cromwell. St. Peter’s co-head coaches Mark DeCristoforo and Rob Sica were named Coaches of the Year, while standout players such as Jeremiah Williams and Cosmo D’Amelio received significant accolades, showcasing the resilience and skill of Staten Island’s young athletes.

Staten Island High School Football Awards Ceremony Recognizes Top Talent for 2024 Season

The lovely borough of Staten Island rolled out the red carpet recently as it hosted the annual high school football awards ceremony at the CYO-MIV Center in Pleasant Plains! The excitement was palpable as the local football talent was celebrated for their remarkable achievements in the 2024 season.

The evening was filled with glitz and applause as two outstanding awards were bestowed upon some of Staten Island’s best young athletes. From Curtis High School, senior Evan Dukes was honored with the prestigious fifth annual Coach Dennis Barrett Leadership and Service Award. This award is all about recognizing young leaders who shine on and off the field, and Dukes certainly fits the bill.

Port Richmond junior Kasiem Cromwell also took center stage, nabbing the esteemed 46th Fugazzi Award. This award is given to the Island’s top football player and showcases the incredible talent burgeoning in high school athletics. Despite Port Richmond facing tough times last season with an 0-8 league record, Coach Lou Vesce couldn’t hide his joy for Cromwell’s recognition. It proves that even amidst challenges, true talent perseveres.

St. Peter’s made a grand entrance too, as their co-head coaches, Mark DeCristoforo and Rob Sica, snagged the title of Coaches of the Year for 2024. The coaches guided their team to a strong overall record of 10-3 and a remarkable appearance in the CHSFL AA-1 championship. Their stellar performance showcased an impressive season with a regular season record of 8-2, bumping shoulders with AAA competition, which further polished their coaching prowess.

An integral part of the St. Peter’s success was senior linebacker Cosmo D’Amelio, who captured the Vincent O’Connor Memorial Award as the AA-1 Defensive Player of the Year. D’Amelio’s statistics speak volumes: he tallied 101 tackles, with 13 of those resulting in losses, alongside two sacks, an interception, and three fumble recoveries! This driven athlete was also the only Staten Island player to be nominated for the Monsignor Peters Memorial Golden Eleven Award.

Recognizing talent on the offensive side, senior running back Jeremiah Williams was named the AA-1 Offensive Player of the Year for the second straight season. Williams made headlines as he became St. Peter’s all-time leading rusher, amassing an impressive 1,777 yards over the season, scoring 17 touchdowns along the way. With a healthy 6.1 yards per carry average, it’s clear Williams proved to be a force on the field.

The accolades didn’t stop there! Joining the roster of awards was senior offensive lineman Logan Kielty, who claimed the Joe Thomas Memorial Award as the AA-1 Lineman of the Year. Additionally, Anthony Lavezzoli from St. Joseph by-the-Sea was awarded AA-1 Special Teams Player of the Year, recognized for scoring the game-winning points against St. Peter’s during the championship matchup.

Not to be overlooked, Mosignor Farrell’s sophomore lineman Alpha Ba was also celebrated as one of the winners of The Ken Weinman Award for Impact Injured Player. Meanwhile, St. Joseph by-the-Sea shone bright as they clinched both the Howie Smith Memorial Award and the Joe Lamas Memorial Trophy due to their championship victory, underscoring the thrill of high school football on Staten Island.

In total, the night saw a whopping 26 players from Staten Island schools being recognized as All-League players, highlighting the remarkable talent and effort poured into the season. To top it all off, Williams from St. Peter’s and Farrell’s Del Giorno were crowned MVPs at the CHSFL Senior Bowl, where Staten Island triumphed over Long Island with a final score of 21-6, a jubilant end to an exciting season!

So, as the football season comes to a close, the future looks bright for Staten Island’s football stars. With this recognition, they no doubt have their sights set high for next year!

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