High School Football Star Named Best In County After Losing Mom

WESTHAMPTON BEACH, NY — A star football player who was dealt a devastating blow this fall when his mother died has been recognized with an honor that would have made her proud. Jaden AlfanoStJohn, the Westhampton Beach Hurricanes’ senior halfback, was named the 60th recipient of the Carl B. Hansen Award, presented to Suffolk’s best football player, a Newsday post said.

AlfanoStJohn rushed for 1,570 yards on 224 carries, scored 25 touchdowns and set a school record with eight interceptions in a single season, the post said.

Carl B. Hansen was a coach and athletic director as well as president of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, Newsday said. He died in 1960.

The honor was not the first Jaden and his twin, also a star football player at Westhampton Beach High School, have garnered after facing their greatest loss: Both Jaden and his twin brother, Jesse, were also nominated in September for the "Heart of a Giant" award presented by the Hospital for Special Surgery and the New York Giants, two of 10 tri-state high school football players to be recognized.

"These students have been nominated by their coaches for their commitment, teamwork, will, character and dedication," a release said.

Jaden and Jesse, both seniors, lost their mother on Sept. 6, right before the start of the new football season. She had gone in for a routine exam in January and learned that her esophagus was perforated, a release said.

For the next eight months, Jesse and Jaden went to school, came home and tried to help their parents with the house, dogs and other day-to-day activities — all while shining on the field.

"One of the things that helped us stay focused was lifting weights, running, training and getting prepared for the upcoming football season," Jaden said. "We would train early in the morning and then after school. We would lift almost every day with the goal of getting bigger in our minds so when our mom finally came home from the hospital both of our parents would be there cheering us on and seeing our improvements."

In September, head coach Bryan Schaumloffel added: "With the passing of their mother only a week ago, the twins have returned to practice and school, are eager to play the game they love and the sport their mother Rose enjoyed watching them play."

The AlfanoStJohn twins, the release said, have vowed to dedicate every accomplishment they achieve this season to their mother.

"Winning the Hansen Award is a well-deserved honor for Jaden," said Westhampton Beach Superintendent of Schools Michael Radday. "He is an exceptional football player, who made big plays for our team all season long. What's most remarkable is the way he handled himself under the most difficult of circumstances. I have been so impressed by his strength and courage. He has made everyone here very proud."