Vote: Newburgh Player Up For Football Heart Of A Giant Award

NEWBURGH, NY — The 2018 USA Football Heart of a Giant Award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery and NY Giants announced their final set of ten outstanding Tri-State area high school football player nominees open for voting. These students, including one from Newburgh, have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication.

Voting for these nominees will be open for 25 days with final vote tally determining who will be named the group’s finalist. One grand-prize winner will be selected based on video submissions stating why they have the Heart of a Giant and will be honored on the field during a New York Giants’ home game. All six finalists will receive $1,500 for their high school’s football program, with the winner’s school getting an additional $3,500.

For more information on the program or to vote, click here.

Week 6 Nominees

1. Damon Barnes; Cardinal Hayes High School (Bronx, NY)

Damon comes from a single mom, low-income home. He said he enjoys playing football because of the pure passion and love he has for the game and he believes that passion and love will keep him involved in football for a long time. He is a two sport athlete in track and football and a McQuade Honors Student — No. 19 — in his class.

2. Thomas Dorsey; Raritan High School (Hazlet, NJ)

Head football coach Anthony Petruzzi says, “Tom Dorsey has worked hard to represent our football team through his past four years as well as has been a constant support to our community through his volunteer hours with the RAINE Foundation.” Tommie has overcome a learning disability and has consistently improved his grades and is now a college ready student. Unfortunately, Tommie suffered an ACL tear in the first game and has lost his senior season. Tommie has stood beside the team and has been at every practice to support his teammates. Although Tommie is hurting mentally and physically right now, he has been the ultimate teammate and leader.

3. Kenneth Eleazer; Bay Shore Senior High School (Bay Shore, NY)

Kenny absolutely embodies the definition of "Heart of a Giant" claims head football coach Mike Brown. He is the starting right tackle as well as the backup defensive end. Kenny's mother was hospitalized in the beginning of summer practices. Unfortunately, she had a reoccurring bout with cancer. He found out on a Friday before our first game that his mother only had months to live. He thought of giving up everything to be there for his family. Two days after hearing his mother had months to live, she passed away. Considering the circumstances, Kenny could have easily quit and given up but he refused to. He carried on his mother's wishes and spirit and continued to fight. To think that a 16-year-old kid could endure this tragedy and yet bounce back and thrive is truly amazing.

4. Lizandro Espinosa; Port Chester High School (Port Chester, NY)

Lizandro Espinosa embodies all of the characteristics that are the foundation of the "Heart of a Giant Award." Liz puts as much effort if not more into his school work as he does football. As a student with an IEP, he still has earned a 3.7 GPA through three and a half years of high school. He plans to be just the second person in his family to attend college after this school year. Liz will hopefully be the first one to attend a four-year college. Head football coach Paul Santavicca explains, “This young man is the reason we as coaches love what we do. Coming to practice and coaching individuals like him make us love this sport more than we already do. Lizandro Espinosa is your prototypical if 'we had 22 of him’ guy because he has the Heart of a Giant.”

5. Shaqir Herbert; Kennedy High School (Paterson, NJ)

Shaqir Herbert is a foster care student and was adopted at the age of 3 years old. Recently, his foster mother passed away leaving him five foster care brothers and sisters to care for. Currently, he lives with an older brother. Never know his biological mother or father is a unique story in itself. He takes several buses to school. Additionally, he's a captain of the varsity football team.

6. Mason Penn; Oceanside High School (Oceanside, NY)

“Mason Penn in an outstanding nominee for this award. Mason is someone who works diligently and does a tremendous job for us on the field, in the school and in the community,” claims head football coach Robert Blount. Mason has maintained a 99.9 Weighted average through his three years here at Oceanside HS and is a member of the World Language Honor Society. Beside doing well in school, he’s is associated with several groups and organizations. Mason is WIC (The World Interest Club) which goes throughout the country debating current economic, political issues in the world. He annually goes to simulations of the United Nations, Brown and Cornell, and Harvard. His last two trips to Harvard he won an award there as to of delegation.

7. Cayden Porter; St. Joseph High School High School (Seymour, CT)

In the spring Cayden’s step father was diagnosed with cancer. He had been in and out of the hospital for treatment all summer long. Cayden is a 15-year-old junior, who never once has complained about what he is going through. He has only tried to make things easier for his step father and for his mother. Head football coach Joe DellaVecchia says “He is one of our team leaders. Our players gravitate towards him whether it is on the field or off. He hasn't said it out loud, but I believe he is dedicating the season to his step father who isn't able to be there in the stands each week.”

8. Nick Reardon; Freehold Township High School (Freehold, NJ)

Head football coach Cory Davies says, “Nick is one of the most dedicated players I have had as a head football coach in my 27 seasons.” He is one of the team leaders and leads with the spoken word as well as with his actions on and off the field. He works in the off-season with The Challenger League, working with special needs students.

9. Thomas Schaffer; Secaucus High School (Secaucus, NJ)

Head football coach Bill Kvalheim boasts, “Thomas Schaffer exemplifies the Heart of a Giant on and off the gridiron. He is an outstanding student athlete with an unmatched work ethic and always has the community in mind.” He is a volunteer firefighter with Rescue and Ladder 2 based out of Secaucus New Jersey. On Sept. 25, 2018, Secaucus was hit with a severe flash flood which damaged more than 70 homes. Several residents had to be rescued from their cars, homes, and business' during this time. Secaucus Schools cancelled after school activities and Tom Schaffer went to help his community during this time. When he is not in school or on the field he is donating most of his time to help his community. With hopes of one day joining a military branch of service Thomas Schaffer definitely has the Heart of a Giant..

10. Joshua Williams; Newburgh Free Academy (Newburgh, NY)

“Josh is a tireless worker and someone who has been consistent and reliable for our program the past 3 seasons,” says head football coach Bill Bianco. During his career he has battled some injuries and always come back better and stronger than before. He is selfless and has done whatever we have asked of him and been a great teammate. Also during that time he has been a positive member in the school and someone everyone has grown to respect. He now is in his senior year and looks to finish on a high note in school and on the field and attend college next year and continue to play football.

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