by Bea Peterson
The 2010 Capital District Chapter of the National Football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame narrowed its field of candidates from 61 to 11 for its annual Scholar-Athlete Dinner at the Turf Inn on May 9. HFCS football team tri-captain and quarterback Mike Brewster was one of ten sectional players and one college program player honored that night. The event recognized the achievements of these athletes on and off the field.
The players were asked to tell the audience who most influenced them in their football careers. Brewster said he played lineman in PeeWee Football, coached by his Dad, and then on a Troy Pop Warner team. When he entered HFCS and
joined the football team as a freshman, he was surprised when Coach Ron Jones asked him if he wanted to be a quarterback. Brewster told the crowd, “The transition wasn’t easy! It was a tough couple years and there were some days when it felt like Coach Jones was the only one who wanted me to QB. Coach Jones always believed in me and somehow he saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself in the beginning. Therefore, I gotta say that Coach Jones has had the biggest influence on me. He made it easier to never give up because he never gave up on me. He always put great trust and faith in me and I will always be grateful to him for not only his faith and support but for the opportunities that have opened up for me because of him.” Brewster also credited his parents, brothers and family for always being there with their support. He said, “I want to thank my teammates who wanted to win as much as I did and never let me down.” They were State Semi Finalist in 2009 and Class C Section II Champions in 2010.
Brewster said, “Playing football has taught me more than just the rules of the game. Football has given me rules for life. For playing football is not just about winning – it’s about perseverance, honor, friendship, hard work, and discipline. Playing football has given me the skills to succeed in life.”
Brewster will be attending St. Lawrence University where he hopes to continue his quarterbacking career.
The other players honored were Chris Ohnsman (Ballston Spa), Keaton Flint (Burnt Hills), Chris McKay (Cohoes), Joshua DeVinney (Coxsackie), Ryan Smith (Guilderland), Alex Liucci (Lake George), Andrew Brozowski (Ravena), Kyle Willmott (Saratoga), Brian Marsh (Troy) and Chris Blais (University at Albany).
In addition to the players, the chapter also recognized Michael Aquino (Outstanding Football Officials Award), Johnstown graduate and Yale football coach Jack Siedlecki (Distinguished American Award) and Nick Fitzgerald (Service to Football Award). Coaches from the five classifications in Section II were also honored as Coach of the Year in Class AA, A, B, C and D.