Nottingham’s Bryce Fremgen (left) and Steinert’s Jordan Morrison display their 12th Man TD Club awards for being named Mercer County’s Lineman of the Year and Payer of the Year, respectively, on Tuesday night (Photo by Dan “I Take Better Pictures Than Cooperazi” Caruso).
By Rich Fisher
Fish4scores.com
Nov. 29: A memorable season for Klockner Road football ended in the only way possible – with one player from each school receiving Mercer County’s biggest honors of the season.
The 12th Man TD Club held its final dinner of the year Tuesday night, and Steinert’s Jordan Morrison won the Frank “Mammy” Piscopo Memorial Award for Outstanding Player, while Nottingham’s Bryce Fremgen took home the Charles J. “Fuzzy” Falzone Memorial Award for being the county’s top lineman.
Morrison became just the second Spartan to receive the honor (along with Scott “The Building With Feet” Dickson in 1990) after doing pretty much everything a coach could possibly ask. The Connecticut-bound senior played quarterback, running back, receiver, defensive back, punter and return man during his senior season and excelled at every one.
The Piscopo Award was presented by the Santuzza Oilers, and has been handed out since 1989.
Fremgen continued a proud Northstar tradition, as he became the team’s fifth Falzone Award winner and second in as many years. The senior completed his third season as an anchor on the offensive line and also moved over to the d-line and played extremely well. His efforts helped sophomore Diontae Nicholson set the school record for rushing yards in just two seasons.
The Falzone Award is given by the Benevolent order of Falzone and has been awarded since 1998.
Steinert and Nottingham both reached the state playoffs this year and each lost close, high-scoring games to powerful Shore Conference opponents.
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As the only game in town, Steinert and Hamilton cleaned up on the final Player of the Week awards as well. Spartans junior Brendan James was Offensive Lineman of the Week while junior teammate Miles Smith was Defensive Back of the Week. For the Hornets, senior quarterback Hezekiah Patterson was Offensive Back of the Week and senior Jon Piotroski was Defensive Lineman of the Week.
James was stellar on both sides of the ball. Not only did he block well at tight end and record his first career touchdown catch, but on defense he was in on nine tackles from his linebacker position. Smith was also a two-way threat at receiver and defensive back, where he made four tackles and was tough in coverage.
Patterson ended his career in outstanding style, completing 16 of 24 passes for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Piotroski was everywhere at defensive end, making 12 tackles in his career finale.
