The 27th Annual Bellwood-Antis Quarterback Club Banquet was held in the B-A Middle School gym on Saturday, Dec. 21, 2002, to honor the Blue Devil football teams, coaches and cheerleaders.
Craig Bouslough was once again the Master of Ceremonies. Following the invocation by the Rev. Ken Beichler, a roast beef dinner was served by the ladies of the Bellwood-Antis cafeteria, who also prepared the delicious meal.
“I think Bellwood and what we see here tonight, is what is good in high school sports,” commented Bouslough in a his early remarks. “It is a challenge to the underclassmen to continue the tradition.”
Outgoing Bellwood-Antis superintendent Dr. Rodney Kuhns congratulated the football players and commented on the team work during his tenure at Bellwood between administration, community, school board and boosters club and coaches. He pointed out that during that time, Bellwood-Antis became one of the best facilities in Central Pennsylvania, including the field house and lockerroom areas, as well as the football field, press box and grandstands. Dr. Kuhns stated that the Bellwood-Antis football program has gained state-wide recognition. The athletes learn through hard work in practice and their endeavors on the field how to deal with the disappointments and hardships that will greet them later in life.
Blue Devil Cheerleader advisors Christine Scalzi, Karen Thornhill and Theresa Scalzi introduced the cheerleaders and presented the girls gifts.
Head junior high coach Charlie Burch and assistants Art Partner, Chris McCartney, Brandon Hescox, Rick Schreirer expressed their praise for the junior high ninth grade team, which rebounded from a losing season in 2001, to post a 6-2-1 mark this year. Included in that record were three wins and a tie against teams the Little Blue Devils lost to in 2001. The eighth grade team became the first at Bellwood-Antis to go undefeated (6-0).
“We practiced hard and put things together,” said Coach Burch. “We were able to have a very successful season. With the results from the eighth grade team, expectations for next year on the junior high level are through the roof. These guys have to prove they can do it, but we are looking for great things from them.”
Boyer Refrigeration sponsored the junior high awards for the second straight year. Dustin Harris was the recipient of the Outstanding Offense Award, Tony DelGrosso won the Outstanding Defense Award and Troy Brunner won the Outstanding Lineman Award.
Head varsity coach John Hayes and assistants Randy Miller, Bill Crowell, Nick Lovrich, Scott Boyer and Mike Estep introduced the varsity players and announced the selections for the varsity honors.
Senior Ricky Shannon was presented the Dr. Don Miller Rookie of the Year Award for the player who makes the greatest impact and contribution in his first year as a member of the varsity. John Elvey was the winner of the Lumax Most Improved Player Award, given to the junior or senior who improves the most over the previous year, who goes beyond the normal developmental process to improve as a football player. Dan Graham was the recipient of the Martin Oil Scholar/Athlete Award, presented to the player who has both excelled in the classroom and distinguished himself on the gridiron. Plaques were presented by DelGrosso’s to Bret McCartney for Offensive Line, Cory Daly for Offensive Back, Josh Rosella for Defensive Line and Eric Brubaker for Defensive Back. These awards are given for outstanding achievement.
The Jerry Potts Memorial 101% Award given to the individual who in his own way, whether by giving his all on the practice field or during the fierce intensity of the game, or by building the morale among teammates, while receiving little or no publicity went to Padraig Flynn.
The two oldest awards in number of years given out, went to Blue Devils who have performed at the highest level on and off the field for the past three years. This was a time that saw the Bellwood-Antis football program record a 30-4 mark (26-1 during the regular season) with three straight appearances in the District playoffs and twice went all the way to the District finals, both times in Class-AA with the enrollment of a Single-A school.
The Lombardi Award, now in it’s, 27th year, named for coaching legend Vince Lombardi and presented each year to the Bellwood-Antis Blue Devil football player, offensive or defensive who singularly caps outstanding performance and ability with the one specific which personified Coach Lombardi-discipline, went to Ryan McCartney.
The VFW Blanket Award has the distinction of being the oldest award, starting in 1948 and continuing to the present. This award is given to the Outstanding Blue Devil Football Player of the past season at each banquet. The award is given annually by the Bellwood, Columbine Loucks Post 5201 and this year went to Adam Plummer.
