The Final Bow: Xavier’s Football Awards Dinner

By Nick Byrne '11

The 2015 CHSFL “AA” Champions took their final bow at the Football Awards Dinner on Wednesday, January 20.

The Knights went 11-1 and won both the Catholic High School Football League “AA” Championship and the Turkey Bowl to complete a historic season. All three team levels of Xavier football were recognized at the event, and team awards for each level were presented to distinguished players.

The freshman football team finished the season at 5-3 under the guidance of head coach James Costa. The freshman team’s Most Valuable Player this year is running back Daniel Vittiburga ‘19, who was a force to be reckoned with out of the backfield.

Plagued by injury, the junior varsity team (led by head coach Scott Ishii) finished 4-6 this season, making it through the first round of the playoffs, defeating Kellenberg Memorial, 24-22, in the quarterfinals. The MVP of the 2015 Knights junior varsity team is fullback/defensive end Nicholas Valentino ‘18, who could and would play any position on the field.

The 2015 Xavier varsity football team awards included Most Improved Player, cornerback Jack Abbruzzese ‘16; Best Defensive Lineman, defensive end Anthony Pugliese ‘16; Best Offensive Lineman, tackle Lenny Camillo ‘16; Defensive Coaches Award, free safety Zachary Cilmi ‘16; Offensive Coaches Award, guard Spencer Letizia ‘16; and Best Defensive Player, linebacker Frank Masella ‘16.

The most heralded team award was awarded to running back Michael Chiarovano ‘16, who was distinguished with the team’s 2015 Most Valuable Player Award.