Who wins the 42nd annual Michael Finocchiaro Award Outstanding Football Player Award? The nominees for the 2022 Mike Finocchiaro Award have been announced.
Every year, the award goes to the best high school football player in Savannah and Chatham County, chosen by the head coaches and local media.
Mike Finocchiaro, a longtime supporter of high school sports in Savannah and whose is the founder of the award, passed away in 2001. The tradition still lives on. It's a family tradition, and the winner will be announced in the Savannah Morning News newspaper on Thanksgiving morning. How do they pick the winner?
Head football coaches vote on the Michael Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player Award winner from public and private high schools in Chatham County with media members.
Here are the 25 high school football players who were nominated this year. Every school this year, private or public, has nominated a player.
2022 NOMINEES
Demetrius Holloway, Beach, fr., QB
Luke Kromenhoek, Benedictine, jr., QB
Za'Quan Bryan, Benedictine, sr., WR/DB
Thomas Blackshear, Benedictine, so., WR/WR
Triston Randall, Bethesda, jr., QB/LB
Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day, jr., QB
Mike Smith, Calvary Day, jr., TE
Jalin Scott, Calvary Day, sr., OL/DL
Hezekiah Manning, Groves, so., OL
Michael Ordonez, Groves, sr., OL
Sha'Ron McGert, Islands, sr., DL
Tavion Gadson, Jenkins, sr., DE
Troy Smith, Jenkins, sr., Athlete
Amarion Scott, Johnson, sr. RB
Julien Zamora, Memorial Day, jr., WR/OLB
Salis Brown, Memorial Day, sr., DE/RB/K
Pauly Seeley, New Hampstead, sr., QB
David Bucey, Savannah Christian, jr., WR/LB
Paulus Zittrauer, Savannah Christian, sr., QB
Elijah Griffin, Savannah Christian, so., DL
Zo Smalls, Savannah Christian, so., RB
Michael Grandy, Savannah Country Day, sr., RB
Khaleel Polite, Savannah High, sr., WR/DB
Zyere Edwards, St. Andrew's, sr., RB/WR
Eric Williams, Windsor Forest, sr., FB/DL
FINOCCHIARO AWARD WINNERS
1976 — Tommy Cupstid, Windsor Forest
1977 — Randy Lanier, Benedictine
1978 — Chris McCarthy, Benedictine
1979 — J.J. Young, Groves
1980 — Harry South, Benedictine
1981 — Joel Carter, Benedictine
1982 — Jack McCollum, Jenkins
1983 — Stephen Jones, Jenkins
1984 — Peter Brennan, Benedictine
1985 — Tim Smart, Groves
1986 — Corey Ladson, Tompkins
1987 — Keith Jones, Savannah High
1988 — Stanley Smart, Savannah High
1989 — Daryl Wall, Windsor Forest
1990 — Marcel Cooper, Groves
1991 — JJ Mobley, Beach
1992 — Bill Sparks, Savannah Country Day
1993 — Mede Lewis, Savannah High
1994 — Vinson Cooper, Groves
1995 — Patrick Smith, Benedictine
1996 — Prince Jonson, Beach
1997 — Walter Simmons, Benedictine
1998 — Jamaal Argrow, Benedictine
1999 — Craig Thomas, Calvary Day
2000 — Lamar Owens, Benedictine
2001 — Joey Boaen, Country Day
2002 — Joey Boaen, SCD
2003 — Sage Glasper, Groves
2004 — Jonathon Armstrong, Groves
2005 — Demarcus Dobbs, Calvary Day
2006 — Franklin Green, Jenkins
2007 — Franklin Green, Jenkins
2008 — Chris Barnwell, Savannah Christian
2009 — Chris Barnwell, SCPS
2010-15 — No winner
2016 — Wesley Kennedy, Benedictine
2017 — Javonte Middleton, Jenkins
2018 — Jakeen Harris, Benedictine
2019 — Ronald Cooper III, Jenkins
2020 — Justin Thomas, Benedictine and Spencer Robicheaux, Savannah Christian
2021 — Justin Thomas, Benedictine
PHOTO CREDIT - Prep Sports Report
Optim Orthopedics supports Benedictine Military School, Calvary Day School, Richmond Hill High School, Savannah Country Day, South Effingham High School, and St. Vincent's athletics. Benedictine Military School's team doctor is Dr. David Sedory. Dr. David Palmer is the team doctor for Calvary Day School, South Effingham, and Richmond Hill. Savannah Country Day and St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
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