Area football players honored at the Mini-Max Awards
By: Ryan C. Harkins and Kerith Gabriel, Sportswriters
01/24/2007
It was quite an extravaganza in Drexel Hill, as Drexelbrook Caterers played host to the Maxwell Football Club's 2006 Mini-Max Awards Banquet.
Renowned Philadelphia football legends, such as Ron Jaworski, Ray Didinger, Tommy MacDonald and Dick Vermeil orchestrated what was a tremendous evening for the Tri-State area football community.
"Jaws" lit up the event only as he could, with his upbeat personality and "homerism" to the Philadelphia area. Didinger gave the opening speech, capturing the audiences attention from the get go, while Vermeil addressed the crowd later in the evening as if they were in his huddle about to take the field. And the night would not have been complete without a Tommy MacDonald "chest bump."
Nine players from Montgomery County were awarded Mini Max awards and the opportunity to be selected for the Jim Henry Award, which is awarded to the Tri-State area player of the year. Players from the area, included Dan MacMillan (Abington), Christopher Lorditch (Archbishop Wood), Alex Holcombe (Germantown Academy), Jack Forster (La Salle), Gary Mitchell (Lower Moreland), Tristan Roberts (Pennridge), Steve Roberts (Upper Dublin), Dan Heiland (Upper Moreland) and Zach Kreider (Wissahickon).
This year's Jim Henry Award winner was Dan Persa of Bethlehem Liberty High School. Persa will receive his award at the 70th Annual Maxwell Football Club Awards Dinner on March 2, 2007 at Harrah's Casino in Atlantic City.
The other honorees include: Notre Dame's Brady Quinn, Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano, Saints coach Sean Payton, Penn State's Paul Poslusny, Malvern Prep coach Gamp Pellegrini, Rutgers running back Ray Rice, CBS sportscaster James Brown, and the Arena Football League's Clint Dolezel.
For Pennridge's Roberts, it was his second time as a honoree as he received the award his junior year as well. Roberts was one of four two-time Mini-Max selections on hand, but mentioned this year to be even more exciting than the year before.
"It was really an honor to be there again and to be in the same company of all of these really good players," said Roberts. "On one hand just to be there was really a big honor and on the other hand to be around all of these guys who are getting all of these great offers and could be playing against in college definitely helps motivate you for the next level."
Although Montgomery Counties elects night ended in Drexel Hill, they all acknowledged this is one night that they will never forget.
"It's kind of rewarding with all the hardwork you put in," Lorditch said. "When you look at the other 54 guys you see around you, there are some pretty great players. So to just be honored with them is pretty special."
MacMillan agreed.
"It's an honor to be nominated for this," MacMillan said. "Especially to be with all those guys up there for achieving greatness both academically and through football."
Heiland was blown away with the experience.
"It's an honor to be here right now with all these amazing athletes going to Division One schools," Heiland said. "Being spoken to by professional athletes and coaches is a once in a lifetime experience."
Holcombe along with Lorditch, attended the event for the second year in a row, but felt this year was more special.
"This is the second time I've been here," Holcombe said. "And it was even better this year. Raw Jaworski was here, Dick Vermeil. It was awesome to see those guys here and be in the same company with them."
Holcombe summed the festivity up best.
"It was just a great night for people who love football," he said. "It was just a great atmosphere."
Winning football awards at Pennridge seems to be a usual thing these days.
For the last two straight years, a member of the Pennridge football team has been awarded the coveted Maxwell Award.
Two years ago it was Sam Hollenbach and last year it was Julius Myers.
The Rams hoped to make it three years straight and it became a reality when senior Mike DiPlacido was honored with the award.
"It was pretty much a shock," DiPlacido said. "I felt honored and it was a good way to end my career. I gave it my all in practice and in games. It showed on the field."
DiPlacido has been honored before, but nothing like this. "It is the highest award that I have won," DiPlacido said.
DiPlacido was the leader of the defense that allowed just 205 points, an average of 15.8 points per game that included two shutouts.
Of the 205 allowed, 77 came in two games against North Penn, the PIAA Class AAAA Champion.
"I thought our defense would be good after our first scrimmage, but then I was unsure after our second scrimmage," DiPlacido said. "I felt that if we were not flat, that we would be OK."
DiPlacido also played on the offensive line at the guard position, but likes playing defense a bit better. "I have always liked playing defense since I was a kid," DiPlacido said. "I plan on playing defense in college." Currently DiPlacido is looking at different schools like Muhlenberg and Ursinus.
'They are all pretty close," DiPlacido said. 'I plan on playing inside or middle linebacker in college. Some play the 4-3 defense while others play the 3-4."
At the end of last season, his teammates voted him to be one of the captains of the team along with Blair Dameron, Tom Cressman and Ryan Shoultes.
"I thought that I would be a captain," DiPlacido said. "I was a leader in the weight room. I had to work hard in the weight room. I had to be mentally ready in order to play my best on Friday nights."
DiPlacido received the award on Dec. 11 at the Heritage Hall in Newportville.
"I went up with my family members and coach (Jeff) Hollenbach," DiPlacido said. "I sat with Kevin Akins (North Penn), Jeff Ball (North Penn) and Chris Donley (Quakertown)."
After he was called to receive his award, he had his picture taken and was asked to make a short speech.
"I was nervous bit I did OK," the quiet DiPlacido said of his speech. "It lasted about 100 seconds. I thanked my coaches, my parents and God."
Winning the Maxwell was not DiPlacido's only achievement this year he was named to the first team all-league as a linebacker and offensive guard and was named to the Montgomery Newspapers All-Area Football Team.
DiPlacido owes a lot of his accomplishments to his coaches, especially Hollenbach and defensive coach Barry Benfield.
"They have been a big part of my high school career," DiPlacido said."I never thought about it," said DiPlacido of winning awards. "This was the best year and the funnest year. It is fun to be on top and win games."
Pennridge will look to make it four years straight next season with the likes of Ryan Greiser, Jon Small and Jared Virnelson.
Jim Henry Award
Winner
High School Player of the Year
Ryan Greiser, Pennridge High School
First play of the season for Pennridge High School. Handoff to senior tailback Ryan Greiser. Result: a 58-yard touchdown run. Question: So what do you do for an encore? If you're Ryan Greiser, the answer is "Plenty."
He went on to set school records for touchdowns in a season (33), most rushing yards in a season (2,030), most rushing yards in a game (295) and most rushing yards in a career (4,060). He also holds the Pennridge record for longest kickoff return, 93 yards for a touchdown.
Greiser also maintains a 3.7 grade point average, which combined with his splendid football accomplishments, made him the Maxwell Club's choice for the 20th annual Jim Henry Award as the area's outstanding student-athlete for 2004.
"In my mind, Ryan's most impressive statistic, without a doubt, is his yards per carry average of 9.3," Pennridge coach Jeff Hollenbach told Robert Hoffman of the Allentown Morning Call. "It's just unbelievable that someone can carry the ball as much as he did (218 times) and average over nine yards a carry."
Greiser also made All-State as a defensive back as he recorded 52 tackles with eight sacks and scored three defensive touchdowns. As a senior, he led the Rams to a 10-3 record and a share of the Suburban One National Conference championship. He helped the team advance to the second round of the District One Class 4A playoffs. The 6-1, 210-pound Greiser also was named The Morning Call's Player of the Year.
"I can't really believe that I got 2,000 yards this season," Greiser told Hoffman. "Coming into this year, I didn't expect to have the season I did. Winning this (player of the year) award definitely means a lot, especially with all the great players in the area. It's a big honor for me."
Greiser had several outstanding games, including a great performance against defending state champion North Penn, when he rallied the Rams from a 27-14 deficit, breaking away on an 80-yard touchdown run to spark a 35-27 win. He finished the game with 219 yards rushing, 102 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
On his 18th birthday, playing against rival Pennsbury, Greiser scored on a 55-yard pass reception and a 55-yard interception return in a span of less than a minute. He finished the game with 314 yards of total offense and a school record five touchdowns as the Rams romped 40-19.
"Without him, I don't know what kind of year we would've had," Hollenbach said. "It's safe to say we wouldn't have made the playoffs and certainly not won a share of the league championship. It would've been interesting to see how many wins we would've gotten."
"He's been the backbone of the team," said teammate Rick Ventresca. "We know that we are never out of the game when we look in the backfield and see Ryan."
"My coaches put me in the right situations to get those yards and my teammates around me open the holes that allow me to do what I need to do to get those extra yards," Greiser said. "The wins are great, but my best memories are the times with my teammates and coaches, the time getting to know them and the personal relationships that were built along the way."
Greiser was recruited by a number of Division One colleges, including Syracuse, Stanford and Penn State, but he has chosen to attend Liberty University, a Christian-based Division 1-AA college in Lynchburg, Va.
"At Liberty, I can also get a great education and be challenged spiritually, too," Greiser said. "What really sold me on Liberty are the opportunities that I have that will prepare me for the rest of my life."
Jefferson wins Mini-Maxwell Award and MVP of 33rd North/South Classic
By David Mika Jr.
LANGHORNE - With temperatures in the upper 90’s at game time about 2,000 fans saw the South All-Stars beat the North All-Stars 10-7 in the 33rd annual Bucks County All-Star football game at Harry E. Franks stadium at Neshaminy High School.
The heat was a factor all night. The chairman of the game, Joe Warner said, “I think the heat really kept the crowd away tonight.”
Corey Llewellyn of Pennsbury who had two fumble recoveries led a stingy South defense by holding the North All-Stars under 150 yards of total offense.
Llyewellyn seem energized all night. Llewellyn said about the heat “I could have gone another four quarters.”
The first score of the game came with 7:23 remaining in the opening half. Jason Ulmer of Neshaminy went in for a 9-yard touchdown run. Patrick Campbell of Council Rock North’s extra point gave the South All-Stars a 7-0 lead.
Ulmer received MVP honors for the South All-Stars last night. Ulmer said” I don’t know what to say. I wouldn’t rather go out anywhere else but here”.
The next scoring drive by the South All-Stars was setup by their defense. After stopping the North All-Stars with another three-and-out, the South drove down to the North 21 yard line, setting up a 38-yard field goal attempt by Campbell. Campbell had missed a 37-yard field goal attempt earlier in the game. He did not miss this time, however, and split the uprights for a 38-yard field goal. The South All-Stars led 10-0.
The first half was filled with turnovers and penalties. The game got sloppy with under a minute to go in the first half with back to back turnovers. After all the chaos, Teddy Trymbiski of Central Bucks East would make up for his team’s turnover by intercepting the ball right back. With the interceptions the North All-Stars would take over on the South’s 25 yard line. A few plays later, Chris Gazda of Central Bucks West hit Jimmy Jefferson of Pennridge for the 17-yard touchdown strike. With 14 seconds to go in the first half the North All-Stars cut the South lead to 10-7.
The second half saw no scoring as both defenses stepped up. Things got interesting late in the game. The South All-Stars went for a first down on fourth and one on their 25-yard line, but the North’s defense came up with the big stop by Demetrius Greene of Quakertown. With 6:19 to go in the game the North All-Stars’ drive would stall on a fumble that was recovered by Llewellyn. As time ran out, Gerald Weipert of Bensalem knelt giving the South All-Stars the 10-7 victory.
Jimmie Jefferson of Pennridge was the North MVP and led his team with 74 yards receiving.
Jefferson talked about the North All-Stars turnovers, saying, “We would move the ball but we had too many turnovers.”
The spirit award winners went to the North All-Star Matt Fitz of Central Bucks West and the South All-Star Ryan Phares of Council Rock South.
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