The nominees for the 2020 Mike Finocchiaro Award have been published. The award has been given for 39 years to the best high school football player in Savannah and Chatham County. The award is usually announced on Thanksgiving day, but due to the season being affected by Covid-19. The announcement has been pushed back a month.
The award is named after the founder, Michael Finocchiaro, who was a supporter of high school sports in Savannah for a long time. Finocchiaro passed away in 2001. Finocchiaro modeled the award after the Heisman Trophy, which is given to an outstanding college football player each year.
The winner of the Michael Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player award is chosen through a vote of the 15 private and public head football coaches from the schools that play football in Chatham County. Furthermore, the five local sports media sources have a vote. They are the Savannah Morning News, the three local television sports departments, WJCL, WSAV, WTOC, and ESPN Radio Savannah.
Nominees for the 2020 award are listed below. Here are the 24 players nominated for the award this year and the past recipients of the Michael Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player award.
1. Antario Brown (Beach High School)
2. Justin Thomas (Benedictine Military)
3. Trent Broadnax (Benedictine Military)
4. Holden Geriner (Benedictine Military)
5. Antjuan McKay (Bethesda Academy)
6. Greg Daniel (Calvary Day)
7. Marques Bythewood (Groves)
8. Jadon Adams (Islands)
9. Damonte Smith (Islands)
10. Bubba Chisholm (Islands)
11. Damozzio Harris (Jenkins)
12. Patrick Blake (Jenkins)
13. Mi'Quan Stafford (Johnson)
14. George McDowell (Johnson)
15. Terrance Jarrett (Johnson)
16. Cameron Hall (Memorial Day)
17. Aljhanod (Noddy) Thomas (New Hampstead)
18. Spencer Robicheaux (Savannah Christian)
19. Barry Kleinpeter (Savannah Country Day)
20. Kenny Odom (Savannah Country Day)
21. Jahmare Generette (Savannah)
22. Ben Bingley (St. Andrew's)
23. Cavonte Legree (Windsor Forest)
24. Demarquez London (Windsor Forest)
FINOCCHIARO AWARD WINNERS
2020 - ?
2019 - Ronald Cooper, Jenkins
2018 - Jakeen Harris, Benedictine
2017 - Javonte Middleton, Jenkins
2016 - Wesley Kennedy, Benedictine
2010-15 - No winner
2009 - Chris Barnwell, Sav. Christian
2008 - Chris Barnwell, Sav. Christian
2007 - Franklin Green, Jenkins
2006 - Franklin Green, Jenkins
2005 - Demarcus Dobbs, Calvary Day
2004 - Jonathon Armstrong, Groves
2003 - Sage Glasper, Groves
2002 - Joey Boaen, Country Day
2001 - Joey Boaen, Country Day
2000 - Lamar Owens, Benedictine
1999 - Craig Thomas, Calvary
1998 - Jamaal Argrow, Benedictine
1997 - -Walter Simmons, Benedictine
1996 - Prince Jonson, Beach
1995 - Patrick Smith, Benedictine
1994 - Vinson Cooper, Groves
1993 - Mede Lewis, Savannah High
1992 - Bill Sparks, Country Day
1991 - JJ Mobley, Beach
1990 - Marcel Cooper, Groves
1989 - Daryl Wall, Windsor Forest
1988 - Stanley Smart, Savannah High
1987 - Keith Jones, Savannah High
1986 - Corey Ladson, Tompkins
1985 - Tim Smart, Groves
1984 - Peter Brennan, Benedictine
1983 - Stephen Jones, Jenkins
1982 - Jack McCollum, Jenkins
1981 - Joel Carter, Benedictine
1980 - Harry South, Benedictine
1979 - J.J. Young, Groves
1978 - Chris McCarthy, Benedictine
1977 - Randy Lanier, Benedictine
1976 - Tommy Cupstid, Windsor Forest
picture - 2019 Mike Finocchiaro Award Winner Ronald Cooper Jenkins High School - Mike Finoccahario (Mike Finocchairo's nephew)
Optim Orthopedics supports the following schools; Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Savannah Country Day, and St Andrew’s School. The team doctor for each school is as follows
Benedictine Military School - Dr. David Sedory, Calvary Day School - Dr. David Palmer, Savannah Country Day, and St Andrew’s School is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remeber Optim Orthopedics gets you back in the game!
