The Trench Trophy is an award, started in 2003, which recognizes high school football lineman in the Western New York area. The award was founded by Len Kuhn and Carl Kuras. The Trench Trophy Award, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization officially established in 2015.
Award Players are graded on specific criteria by a group of knowledgeable scouts, known as the Committee. The Committee is composed of coaches, former coaches, and former players, who attend the games of more than 80 schools on a weekly basis. Every week five players are chosen as "Nominees," who are then eligible for the final award. After the state championships are over, nominees are broken down to twelve Hall of Fame Inductees, and then one final winner. The "Lineman of the Year" receives a college scholarship, among other accolades.
Mission The Trench Trophy Award, Inc. provides recognition to football players who predominantly play the position of offensive or defensive line for their school’s varsity, interscholastic football program. Schools include those of Section VI of the NYSPHSAA and Monsignor Martin Athletic Conference.
The specific objectives and purpose of the Trench Trophy shall be:
A. To promote sportsmanship, civic responsibility, and scholastic effort by athletes who predominantly play football. B. To provide recognition to football linemen in Western New York state. C. To provide opportunities for players to be discovered by local, regional, and national intercollegiate football programs. D. To promote the growth of youth athletics, specifically the sport of football.
John Gebhardt Memorial Scholarship In August 2010, the Trench Trophy announced that their yearly college scholarship was named in honor of founding member and generous contributor John Gebhardt. The John Gebhardt Memorial Scholarship was decided by result of unanimous vote by the Committee. John was a dedicated supporter of the award since its inception.
Name The name "Trench Trophy" was approved on August 18, 2003, at the first meeting of the Trench Trophy Committee. It comes from the adage that lineman play in the "trenches."
Current Executive Committee Ed Sciera.Chairman Philip Rizzi.Secretary Ron Kromer.Treasurer Rick Coburn.Trustee Sibby Constantino.Trustee Carl Ertel.Trustee Jim Fleischman.Trustee Chuck Graver.Trustee Len Jankiewicz.Trustee Bob Lemere.Trustee Jason Milks.Trustee John Owens.Trustee Don Sullivan.Trustee Paul Whelan.Trustee
Carl Kuras.Co-Founder Len Kuhn.Co-Founder Victor Rizzi.Co-Founder
Sal Capaccio.Special Contributor Joe Delamielleure.Special Contributor Jim McNally.Special Contributor
Lineman of the Year Award Winners Past Winners: 2003: John Livingston.Eden Raiders 2004: Jason Weber.Orchard Park Quakers 2005: Jesse Jesonowski.Iroquois Chiefs 2006: Gil Rodriguez.Frontier Falcons 2007: Nick Christman.Sweet Home Panthers 2008: John Urschel.Canisius Crusaders 2009: Jasen Carlson.Southwestern Trojans 2010: Dylan Anna.Pioneer Panthers 2011: Devon Leach.Orchard Park Quakers 2012: Ryan Hunter.Canisius Crusaders 2013: Jeremiah Bill.Hamburg Bulldogs 2014: Joe Mistretta.Jamestown Red Raiders 2015: Jake Fuzak.Williamsville South Billies 2016: Nathan Emer.Iroquois Chiefs 2017: Jeremiah Sanders.South Park Sparks 2018: Tyler Doty.St. Joe's Marauders 2019: Teryon Vernon.Maritime Commodores 2020: No Winner Due to Covid Shortened Season 2021: Gavin Susfolk.Canisius Crusaders 2022: Rashard Perry.Bennett Tigers 2023: Marcus Harrison.St. Francis Red Raiders 2024: Sam Ikegweonu.Lackawanna Steelers 2025: Kaius Mattoon.Clarence Red Devils
Hall of Fame Last Name First Name School Year Cammarata Cole Sweet Home 2024 Guerrero Jeremiah St. Joe's 2024 Haffa Owen Lancaster 2024 Harris Michael St. Francis 2024 Ikegweonu Sam Lackawanna 2024 Johnson-Bates Limmie McKinley 2024 Kyler Warrick Salamanca 2024 Lavery Rylan Pioneer 2024 Parker Manny South Park 2024 Pratton Tommy Jamestown 2024 Rhoades Kolten CSP 2024 Richardson Ty Pioneer 2024 Cunningham Sheldon Health Sciences 2023 Devereaux Aiden Jamestown 2023 Handley Rayshawn Lackawanna 2023 Hardy Keegan Salamanca 2023 Harrison Marcus St. Francis 2023 Matheis Luke Pioneer 2023 Mercado Hezekiah Kenmore West 2023 Mitchell Roosevelt Medina 2023 Ploetz Isaiah Franklinville/Ellicottville 2023 Sullivan Pat Canisius 2023 Taylor Delshon Bennett 2023 Whittaker Cam West Seneca West 2023 Carlsen Tommy Lancaster 2022 Carpenter Ryan Randolph 2022 Donnelly Braeden Iroquis 2022 Dubeck Aiden St. Francis 2022 Hensley Kayden Clarence 2022 Ikegweonu Sunday Lackawanna 2022 Johnson Chris Medina 2022 Locke Evan Williamsville North 2022 Miller Balaam St. Francis 2022 Perry Rashard Bennett 2022 Tan Patrick Amherst 2022 Walker Dezmin Maryvale 2022 Cecchini Joe Medina 2021 Coder Alex Pioneer 2021 Covell Matt Akron 2021 Delgado Joey Jamestown 2021 Krzyszton Konrad Frontier 2021 Massing Justin CSP 2021 McGaughy Julian Jamestown 2021 Murphy Matt Williamsville South 2021 Pearlman Cole Clarence 2021 Rogowski Alex West Seneca East 2021 Scott Jimmy St. Francis 2021 Susfolk Gavin Canisius 2021 Takacs Andrew Hamburg 2021 Wright David Maritime 2021 Bitka Ryan Amherst 2019 Bruce Geno Hamburg 2019 Mahony Conor Lancaster 2019 Osborn Tim North Tonawanda 2019 Pannes Cooper Southwestern 2019 Schon Eric St. Francis 2019 Urbaniak A.J. Williamsville South 2019 Vernon Teryon Maritime 2019 Walker Jason St. Joe's 2019 Williams Jeremiah Bennett 2019 Wilson Cody Albion 2019 Wolfer Zack Franklinville/Ellicottville 2019 Argo Jake Starpoint 2018 Bernard Andrew Randolph-Frewsburg 2018 Boyd Jr. Stephen Cardinal O’Hara 2018 Braswell Greg South Park 2018 Doty Tyler St. Joe's 2018 Gaca David Lancaster 2018 Hamme Nick West Seneca East 2018 Loynes Jihad Bennett 2018 Newcomb George West Seneca West 2018 Powers Joe Lewiston-Porter 2018 Smith Trevor Pioneer 2018 Smouse Jordan Clymer-Sherman-Panama 2018 Walter Josh Williamsville North 2018 Wilkes Jeremiah Grand Island 2018 Al-Hemyari Manny Cleveland Hill 2017 Andreessen Joe Lancaster 2017 Arrington Sam Cleveland Hill 2017 Bass Terrance Cheektowaga 2017 Calo Jake Lancaster 2017 Claycomb Brad West Seneca West 2017 Holmes Jordon North Tonawanda 2017 McGennis Will Canisius 2017 Sanders Jeremiah South Park 2017 Schreader Kyle Starpoint 2017 Whitaker Tariq Cheektowaga 2017 Woodarek Walt Franklinville/Ellicottville 2017 Black Chauval Dunkirk 2016 Carr-Johnson Michael Hutch Tech 2016 Emer Nathan Iroquois 2016 Grisolia Tyler St. Francis 2016 Hutchinson Preston Franklinville/Ellicottville 2016 Jones Nick Dunkirk 2016 Kloss Sean Clarence 2016 Kubik Daniel Orchard Park 2016 Luderman Jacob Lancaster 2016 Pawlowski Nathan Cleveland Hill 2016 White Tyler Kenmore West 2016 Wilkes J.B. Grand Island 2016 Bruenn Greg West Seneca East 2015 Bullock-Watson Tristen Hutch-Tech 2015 Fuzak Jake Williamsville South 2015 Grant Jakob Depew 2015 Hannon Pat Springville 2015 Miner Leyton Alden 2015 Newsome Khaliqye Bennett 2015 Perlino AJ East Aurora-Holland 2015 Roberson Richard Canisius 2015 Senn Wesley Randolph 2015 Stephens Desmond Timon-St. Jude 2015 Wray Sam Starpoint 2015 Attea George Williamsville North 2014 Baker Chandler Maple Grove-Chautauqua 2014 Bowers Michael Randolph 2014 Crawford Keyshawn Cleveland Hill 2014 Kelleher Mike Maryvale 2014 Ksiezarczyk Evin West Seneca East 2014 Mistretta Joe Jamestown 2014 Rymarczyk Matt Kenmore East 2014 Wheatley T.J. Canisius 2014 Wilson Rob Cheektowaga 2014 Bill Jeremiah Hamburg 2013 Byrne Ryan Bishop Timon/St. Jude 2013 Doctor Tommy Grand Island 2013 Hillis Dawson Orchard Park 2013 Lamb Mike Depew 2013 MacIlwain Steven Cleveland Hill 2013 Merlau Ryan Pioneer 2013 Oldro Cody Randolph 2013 Perry Kevon Burgard 2013 Stauss Steven Albion 2013 Zobrest Phil Alden 2013 Bunker Jason Alden 2012 Czech John Jamestown 2012 Haines Cortland Jamestown 2012 Hunter Ryan Canisius 2012 Murphy Sean Bishop Timon/St. Jude 2012 Nocek Nick Fredonia 2012 Senn Michael Orchard Park 2012 Sommerville Khalil Bennett 2012 Studd Tyler Springville 2012 Swan Jake Maple Grove 2012 Anderson Nathan Frewsburg 2011 Austin Dan Southwestern 2011 Bartholomew Miles St. Francis 2011 Burgio Andrew Depew 2011 Chase Josh Alden 2011 DiPirro Kyle St. Mary's 2011 Lathrop Brandon Kenmore West 2011 Leach Devon Orchard Park 2011 Morganstern Mike Cheektowaga 2011 Scamurra T.J. Williamsville South 2011 Anna Dylan Pioneer 2010 Bauer Austin Lancaster 2010 Cambria Jack St. Joe's 2010 Fluent Ben Randolph 2010 Langworthy Pat Southwestern 2010 NeMoyer Thomas Canisius 2010 Sanders Anthony McKinley 2010 Schiavi Mike Lackawanna 2010 Therrien Todd Williamsville East 2010 Washington Dereon Riverside 2010 Bigelow Troy Eden 2009 Carlson Jasen Southwestern 2009 Gallagher Dillon Williamsville South 2009 Harnden Eric Grand Island 2009 Hornung Matt Cheektowaga 2009 Howard Desmond St. Francis 2009 Marsh Zack Panama 2009 Mulhern Sean Riverside 2009 Shreve Casey North Tonawanda 2009 Shreve Kyle North Tonawanda 2009 Buck Chris Frontier 2008 Bunker Ben North Tonawanda 2008 Gens Corey Maple Grove 2008 Green Reggie Lackawanna 2008 Hairston Curtis Cleveland Hill 2008 Harnden Ryan Grand Island 2008 Kieliszek Kevin Lancaster 2008 Mesi Justin Orchard Park 2008 Phillips Steve Sweet Home 2008 Rohauer Donald Alden 2008 Smith Mike Grover Cleveland 2008 Urschel John Canisius 2008 Benson Anthony Grover Cleveland 2007 Eldridge Zack Cleveland Hill 2007 Dudkowski Kevin Depew 2007 Garvey Art East Aurora 2007 Jesonowski Joshua Iroquois 2007 Balcerzak Corey Lockport 2007 Bloom Randy Orchard Park 2007 Rosario Jose Randolph 2007 Hymes Corey St. Francis 2007 Christman Nicholas Sweet Home 2007 Hadi Abdullah Lackawanna 2006 Skubis Christopher Clarence 2006 Byrum Carlton Depew 2006 Rodriguez Gil Frontier 2006 Kakavand Nicholas Iroquois 2006 Apperson Andrew Maple Grove 2006 Appenheimer Mike Maryvale 2006 DePalma Joseph Silver Creek 2006 Steinwald Harrison St Joe's 2006 Eaton Blake Allegany-Limestone 2005 Beaver Jeffrey Burgard 2005 King Justin Grand Island 2005 Jesonowski Jesse Iroquois 2005 Hogg John McKinley 2005 Annis Max North Tonawanda 2005 McElwain Tim Randolph 2005 Papia Jeff St Joe's 2005 Bittner Pete Williamsville North 2005 Smith Chris St. Francis 2004 Worthington Doug St. Francis 2004 Brown Tim Burgard 2004 Rosner Adam Depew 2004 Coan Steve Frewsburg 2004 Margerum Ian Hamburg 2004 Port Alex North Tonawanda 2004 Weber Jason Orchard Park 2004 Miller Matt Portville 2004 Santiago Adriel South Park 2004 Langworthy Matt Southwestern 2004 Randle Brandon Burgard 2003 Amos Ryan Cleveland Hill 2003 Kindt Justin Depew 2003 Livingston John Eden 2003 Ingraham Doug Grand Island 2003 Haney Alex Lockport 2003 Maull Gary Olean 2003 Graham Matt Orchard Park 2003 Sickles Andy Randolph 2003 Freeman Garvie South Park 2003
Grading Criteria Technique Determination Aggressiveness Intensity Ability to be a Team Player Coachability Consistency Courage Citizenship Scholastic Effort
[Size [height and/or weight] shall NOT be taken into consideration]
See also Elks Lancaster (village), New York
For More Information Trench Trophy Website Section 6 Website
References