Story by William Dudley; Video by Xavier Green
GROSSMONT COLLEGE — Twelve Grossmont football players have been honored with a total of 20 awards at the team’s annual awards banquet, held November 18 at Marina Village in Mission Bay.
The awardees included seven Griffins who made the All-Conference team for the Southern Conference of the National Division of the Southern California Football Association. Linebacker Pat Kelly, who led the conference in tackles, was the sole Griffin to make first team All-Conference. The award places him on the nomination list for all-state honors.
Making the second team were quarterback Ryan Woods, running back Darrin Alex, wide receiver Alex McLeland, offensive tackle Deryck Beveridge, linebacker Kevin Woods and defensive lineman Shane Pennix.
Recognized at the banquet as Griffin captains were Woods and Mcleland on offense, and Kelly and defensive back Caleb Farrel on defense.
The Special Teams Player of the Year award went to special teams center Matt Poulin, who remarkably made it through the entire season without an errant snap.
Best Freshman was awarded to offensive lineman Blake Bullard. Pennix received the same honor on defense.
Ivan May received a trophy as best defensive back trophy, a vote of confidence from Coach Mike Jordan who expressed disappointment that May was not named All-Conference.
MVP (offense) was awarded to McCleland, who accepted it with his arm still in a sling from the broken collarbone he sustained in the last regular season game against Palomar.
Kelly and Kevin Woods shared defensive MVP honors.
Team MVP went to Ryan Woods, who finished among the highest-ranked quarterbacks in Southern California.
The year 2010 marked the debut of the Mauga Award, named for the Samoan-American family that has had longstanding connections to Grossmont. Defensive lineman Yun Taala took the honors.
The last honor bestowed was the Joe Roth Award, named for the Grossmont quarterback star who went to All-American honors at the University of California, Berkeley, and who inspired many with his battle with cancer that took his life weeks after his final game. It is awarded for character demonstrated both on and off the football field.
The 2010 Joe Roth winner (and popular choice) was running back Darrin Alix.
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Dudley is a student in Media Comm 132