2010 Varsity and JV Football Dinner

Coaches’ Recollections, All IAC and AwardsCoaches’ Recollections, All IAC and Awards

Coach Padalino arrived on the Landon campus and faced the challenges of any new coach assuming the leadership role that had been defined by the previous football coach. The prior occupant of that post  not only had a high set standard of achievement, but Rob Bordley was also one of the school’s most admired and recognized athletes.

Such transitions usually involve a number of tests. The new guy must show the family, to which he aspires to join, that he has the same or better competitive spirit of the school’s forebears. Coach Padalino met the rite of passage on November 6 when his team beat Prep. Coach Padalino is a BEAR!!!

At the team banquet (an accurate term given the hard work of Faith Diamond, Cathleen Howard and their talented Mom team), Coach Padalino passed another test, retelling of the 2010 season record and accomplishments. In a little over an hour, he had Scott Miller recap the JV’s season, he set the stage for the Classes of 2012-2014 for next Fall, he described the contributions of each of the 21 seniors and he awarded the key contributors of this team. Fortunately, Coach Miller’s extemporaneous monologue was not interrupted too many times by crescendos of laughter, or the evening could have exceeded the span of attention of even this rapt audience.

Coach Padalino’s first comments (for each person mentioned there was a detailed explanation as to what their contributions were) were directed at the people who made Landon football so successful in 2010-

• Trainers —Matt Virtue and Stephen Herman

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• Team Doctor—Dr. Grossman

• Team Equipment Manager—Ray Miller

• Team Statistician—Mac Jacoby

• Captains’ Moms—Faith Diamond, Cathy Howard and Donna Miller

• Uniform Designer/Donor and Counselor– Sam Lehrman

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• Assistant Coaches (each of whom received considerable recognition and some nice gifts)

  • Rob Bordley

  • Marty Klingelhofer

  • Hans Farnstrom

  • Tom Mullholland

  • Scott Miller

  • Daryl Hodge

  • Doug Nettles

  • Cliff Coates

  • Tom Medereios

  • Scott Smith

• Team Manager—Hunter Davis

Coach Padalino then spoke to his wife from the podium to thank her for all of her support and to recognize all that she did to make the transition work so well for the family and the Coach. The crowd responded with applause to all of the individuals named in this section of the presentation, but the cheers for Cathy Padalino reflected the crowd’s comprehension of how tough a move can be!!

Coach Miller then described the JV’s season and as a successful proving ground for future contributors to the Varsity. The 4-1-2 record reflected a lot of hard work by the boys and he noted in particular how stalwart his defense was. He announced the following JV awards:

• Coaches Award—Isaiah Edwards and Mike Rhoads

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• Defense MVP—Isiah Coakley

• Offense MVP—Phil Pena

The spotlight returned to the Varsity and the work/contributions of the underclassmen was given considerable attention as a group. He noted that these boys had worked hard throughout the season and are ready to go for the Fall of 2011 (which under Coach Padalino’s begins on 1/1/11).

The contributions of the Class of 2011 were the Coach’s next point of focus. These boys had obviously worked hard before the new coach had arrived and more importantly immediately bought into the new program. Coach Padalino said that these 21 boys have left a legacy of daring to do their best with no guarantee of success and they exceeded his expectations.

The Coach had prepared detailed recollections of each senior’s contributions to the season, below are quick capsules of what was said about the individuals:

• #1 Brad Grossman, the kicker who crushed SSSA player/UVa recruit Darius Lee,

• #2, John Lynn, who ran over and knocked the helmet off of a Bullis defender,

• #4, Will Laco, played behind a returning all IAC player and after an injury stepped in those big shoes and played very well,

• #5, Antoine Hudson, a special athlete, who covered the top WR of every opponent, but established momentum with the kickoff return for a TD against Bullis,

• #6, John Slack, an injury curtailed his on the field contributions, but whose videography made a difference to the team,

• #7, Paul Adkins, an injury limited his contributions, but he achieved much when he was called to play QB and WR,

• #8, Pearce Minshall, a major contributor on O, D and Special Teams, but whose personality helped the team remain loose,

• #11, Patrick Keena, THE quarterback of the defense, anchor of special teams, without a C on his jersey, but clearly a leader on the field,

• #12, Jeff Johnson, the image of this blocking back “blowing up” one of the heavily recruited GP players on a block was symbolic of that victory,’

• #43, Drew Hayhurst, Mr. Dependable, could always count on his play in all situations, his determination was defined by the ice packs that surrounded his injured body after every game,

• #51, Alex Selowsky, two way player who previously did not get to play much, who GREW into a GREAT YEAR,

• #56, Terrence Fullum, made the Landon D as good as any DC defense, physical play and a great pass rusher,

• #63, James Johnston, another injured player who contributed to the team’s success in hundreds of little ways,

• #73, Kevin Keegan, worked hard every day and made the right side of the O line work; used skills learned in wrestling (hands and feet) to make him a better football player,

• #77, Ben Spiritos, powerful run blocker who moved the line of scrimmage, someone to emulate in terms of work ethic and passion for the game,

• #78, Dillon Rupp, excelled both ways, great drive and an exceptional attitude, brought levity when the atmosphere was heavy

• #81, Andrew Moore, battered before even pre season began, worked hard to be ready and when he was given an opportunity—performed— had the game saving sack in the GP game.

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CAPTAINS

• #33, Kellen Miller, a returning ALL IAC performer, whose 2010 season was hobbled by a serious injury, showed a lot of courage by handling the disappointment of the broken arm and fought his way back to the field by the end of the season,

• #15, Luke Howard, one of the most talented athletes with whom Coach P has ever worked, deserved to make ALL IAC both ways, exceptional play,

• #56, Max Lehrman, great emotional leader of the Bears, clear that football is his passion, his play against GP was exceptional, Amherst is getting a great player but an even better leader.

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Awards by other than LandonAwards by other than Landon

All IACAll IAC

Max Lehrman          defensive line

Terrence Fullum    defensive line

Alex Selowsky         linebacker

Antoine Hudson      defensive back

Ben Spiritos            offensive line

Dillon Rupp               offensive line

Johnny Lynn            quarterback

Luke Howard           tight end

Crab BowlCrab Bowl

Johnny Lynn

Max Lehrman

Awards by LandonAwards by Landon

Lunch Pail AwardLunch Pail Award

Paul Adkins

Coaches AwardCoaches Award

Wynston Bouknight

Coach Hanker AwardCoach Hanker Award

Drew Hayhurst

Patrick Keena

Special Teams MVP AwardSpecial Teams MVP Award

Antoine Hudson

Offense MVP AwardOffense MVP Award

Johnny Lynn

Luke Howard

Defense MVP AwardDefense MVP Award

Alex Selowsky

Team MVP AwardTeam MVP Award

Max Lehrman

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Thanks to all of the parents, coaches and players for making me part of this wonderful season. All of the positive (and even the occasional negative) feedback is MOST appreciated. This is a great group of young men about whom you all are justifiably proud.

To all of the alums and fans, please let me know what worked, what content you would like to see reduced and what you suggest might be good to add. I started these posts because I found the existing media too slow and without the details which interested me. If these posts are too long or miss key information, PLEASE let me know.

Next season there will be coverage of Landon basketball and hockey in what portend to be very competitive IAC seasons. Please let me know if there readers who should be added to my list serve.

Go Bears

===================================================================================================================(a) the content is mine, does not reflect the opinion of Landon, Coach Padalino or anyone directly related to Landon, (b) that any errors that may exist are mine, inadvertent and correctable (please let me know and I will make ALL corrections);(c) that the author (me) is a huge disciple of the Landon team concept and that I will do everything that I can do to mention all the players; however, universal coverage is not really possible through this medium. If someone believes that a player or group (offense/defense; linemen/backs/ LBs/DB/Ss/P, etc.) should receive greater attention, I am open to such suggestions. I will not mention referees at any time and will limit references to the opposition.(d) that BSN is a volunteer publication and that as the editor, publisher, statistician and writer [me], I am all too fallible and I apologize in advance for any error.