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Each week in the fall, the Delaware Valley Chapter's 12th Man Touchdown Club honors Mercer County's offensive, defensive, and special team players of the week. Listed below are this week's winners. Congratulations to all those selected!

PLAYER NOMINATIONS:

Coaches, please submit player nominations each week by clicking here.


DELAWARE VALLEY CHAPTER HOME PAGE
12th MAN TD CLUB ARCHIVES
PAST CVC PLAYER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
PAST CVC LINEMAN OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
PAST PREP PLAYER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
PAST PREP LINEMAN OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS

Pictured at right: William DePonte of Special Olympics of New Jersey, who was our guest speaker, addresses the 2023 Unsung Heroes at the 12th Man TD Club, November 2nd.

Click Here to View all the 12th Man TD Club Unsung Heroes photos

Click Here to View the 12th Man TD Club Impact Performers Night photos

Click Here to View the 12th Man TD Club Captains Night photos

Click Here to View the 12th Man TD Club in-person Event Schedule for the 2023 season


2023 PLAYERS OF THE YEAR . . .

Frank "Mammy" Piscopo Memorial Award - AJ Surace, Notre Dame

The senior quarterback led his team to a 10-1 record and a trip to the Non-Public Group A playoffs to become the sixth Notre Dame player (and first Irish QB since 2002) to receive the "Mammy". AJ completed 69% of his passes (131-of-189) for 1,879 yards, 26 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. He was just as lethal as a ball-carrier, rushing 107 times for 909 yards and 15 touchdowns as he accounted for nearly 2,800 yards of offense and 41 scores. The Irish scored 480 points with the Rutgers-bound Surace under center.

"AJ Surace is a pleasure to coach and he is the hardest working person in our program who never misses a lift, practice, game, faith formation event, or service project," said Notre Dame head coach Sean Clancy. "AJ leads our team in the offseason and during the season with a strong team-first attitude. AJ lifts on "rack 10" in the weight room with our strongest and biggest players, setting the tone for what hard work looks like. In our service projects and faith formation activities, AJ is out front and is willing to go the extra mile. AJ has been a four-year leader in our Catholic Athletes for Christ program and was instrumental in raising over $50,000 for the Special Olympics, collecting over 4,000 Diapers for local women's shelters, and raising $4,500 for the McKenna Foundation. AJ has coached youth camps each of the last four years and participated in the Sacred Heart Parish Thanksgiving food drive and year-round clothing drive."


Charles J. "Fuzzy" Falzone Memorial Award - Gavin Lewis, Hopewell Valley

The junior two-way standout dominated both sides of the line for Hopewell Valley to become the fourth Bulldog lineman in six seasons to receive the "Fuzzy". With Gavin anchoring the offensive line at left tackle, the Bulldogs used a balanced attack (1,600 passing, 2,100 rushing yards) to average 34 points a game. He was just as impactful as a defender - finishing with 42 tackles, 4 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery while only playing in the fourth quarter of four games.

"Gavin doesn't just like or love football, he lives football," said Bulldogs head coach Dave Caldwell. "He is a relentless competitor in practices and games, and he lives in the weight room year round (BP290, BSQ445 PC275). His commitment to the game and his craft is what makes him a twitchy, explosive and productive lineman. Over the past two seasons, we are 18-3 with Gavin starting as a left tackle and defensive lineman. Gavin protects our quarterback's blind side and we are always confident that we will gain yardage when running to Gavin's side. Our first team defense allowed 62 points this season and Gavin was a dominant force on the defensive line. He is explosive, uses his hands, gets off blocks and relentlessly pursues the ball carrier."


Prep Player of the Year - Miles O'Neill, Hun School

With Miles under center, Hun had one of the top high school offenses in the country and finished with an 8-1 record and 3rd consecutive Mid Atlantic Prep League championship. The senior quarterback, who is headed to Texas A&M after collecting 10 Power 5 offers, had a 72% completion percentage (106-of-147) and passed for 2,151 yards and 20 touchdowns. Miles was also picked to play in the US Army All American Bowl in December. He is the second straight Raiders QB to win the award, following in footsteps of Marco Lainez (2021 and 2022 recipient).

"A standout quarterback and undeniably one of the best in the country, Miles' game is defined by a combination of a powerful arm, pinpoint accuracy, and an exceptional ability to navigate the pocket with composure, allowing him to make throws that often seem impossible to execute," Hun head coach Todd Smith said. "His strength lies not only in his physical abilities, but also in his natural leadership qualities. A true field general, he inspires and elevates the performance of the players around him. His drive to win and succeed is palpable, pushing himself and his team to new heights every game. In the high-stakes world of football, Miles O'Neill stands out as a quarterback who not only possesses exceptional skills but also the intangible qualities of leadership and determination. His ability to make precision throws and lead with unwavering determination cements his status as a force to be reckoned with on the gridiron."


Prep Lineman of the Year - Owen Wafle, Hun School

After a dominant 2022 campaign earned Owen this award as a junior, he was even better in his final season at Hun. Owen's statistics are hard to believe - in just 9 games he had 78 tackles, 34 for loss, to go along with 31 quarterback hurries, 14 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. The 6-foot-3, 290-pound defensive tackle, who also was a force at fullback for the Raiders, is committed to play at University of Michigan.

"Owen has become a force to be reckoned with, living in the opponent's backfield and wreaking havoc on offenses throughout the season," said Smith. "Owen's combination of size, strength, and speed sets him apart as one of the most challenging players to deal with in the country. His unrelenting presence on the field makes him virtually unblockable at times, disrupting plays and making life difficult for opposing teams. Owen's ability to punish ball carriers and quarterbacks alike has earned him a reputation as a defender who leaves an indelible mark on every game. In a sport where dominance in the trenches is crucial, Owen Wafle's exceptional skills make him a standout defensive tackle, and his impact on the field is nothing short of awe-inspiring."


VIEW ALL OF 2023's WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS