Farr, Kirka, LaFlair, Morley Head NAC Football Awards

BY DAVE SHEA

The three top teams in the Northern Conference Football season produced the recipients of the major awards in the All-NAC Football Awards.

Gouverneur quarterback Caleb Farr was honored as the Most Valuable Offensive Player after leading the 7-0 Wildcats to a fourth straight undefeated league championship. Farr coordinated and triggered Gouverneur's rushing-oriented offense which led the NAC in scoring. He was a defensive back in Wildcats' swarming close-down defense which led the league in fewest points allowed.

Potsdam's Zach Kirka was honored by the NAC's coaches as the Most Valuable Defensive Player for his hyper activity at linebacker where he ranged all over the field making tackles. He also played quarterback on offense leading the Stoners to a 5-2 season.

OFA's Luc LaFlair was honored as the Lineman of the Year after excelling in the offensive and defensive lines. He was one of the team's leading tacklers and was equally effective as a run blocker and quarterback protector in the league's premier passing attack.

OFA's Stephen Morley was honored with the Don Petty Memorial Award as the Outstanding Football Player in Section 10 under the criteria of ability, sportsmanship and leadership. Coaches nominate candidates for the award and the recipient is chosen through a committee composed of coaches, officials and the media representatives.

OFA Coach Matt Tessmer called Morley the Devils' "Swiss Army Knife" for his ability to fill so many roles. During the course of the season he played running back, wide receiver, defensive back and place kicker. In his junior season he also stepped in at quarterback when OFA suffered the loss of three quarterbacks to injury.

Morley and LaFlair was a major parts of the leadership core in OFA's 6-1 season.

--------------------------------

ALL-NAC FOOTBALL

SMALL SCHOOLS FIRST TEAM

Gouverneur - Caleb Farr (NAC MVP Offense), Cayden Stowell, Jacob Shippee, Mitchell Tyler, Joseph Cummings and Nicholas Embry.

OFA: Luc LaFlair (NAC Outstanding Lineman), MeSean Johnson, Stephen Morley, Mark Barr, Jackson Jones.

SLC: Steven Horner, Cash Feeley, Ansen Weegar, Ethan LaRock.

Tupper Lake: Kodee Hill, Josh Smith.

SMALL SCHOOLS SECOND TEAM

Brock Cox (Gouv), Harry Powers (OF), Ryan LaPage (SLC).

OUTSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS

Mitchell Shippee (G), Owen Warchol (OFA), Ryan Cox (SLC), Brandon Boudreau (Tupper Lake).

LARGE SCHOOLS FIRST TEAM

Potsdam: Zach Kirka (NAC MVP Defense), Will Varney, Stephen McCargar, KJ Sapp, Logan McCargar, Bobby Voss.

Watertown: Deante Hall, James Irvine, Trenton Robinson, Jaiden Ramsey, Kalub Conway.

Canton: Tyler VanBrocklin , Hunter Blauvelt, Ashton Cloce, Connor Ramsey.

Massena: Dominic Monacelli, Ian McDermott, Ethan Miller.

Malone: Payton Poirier, Trey LaGrave.

LARGE SCHOOLS SECOND TEAM

Nate Green (P), Jude Converse (Wat), Trey Bessette (C), Preston Guynup (Mass) and Keegan Monette (Mal).

OUTSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP

Bendan Villnave (P), Joshua Tanner (Wat), Nate Pennyman-Given (C), Dylan Lazore (Mass), John-Michael Reardon (Mal).

OFA's Luc LaFlair (left) and Stephen Morley (center) and Caleb Farr of Gouverneur received major football awards after the Section 10 Class C Championship game. LaFlair was honored as the NAC Lineman of the Year, Morley received the Don Petty Memorial Award and Farr was voted as the NAC Offensive MVP. Potsdam's Zach Kirka received the NAC Defensive MVP Award after the Class B title game.

Potsdam's Zach Kirka (2) meets a Schuylerville runnerr at the line of scrimmage in Friday's New York State Class B quarter-final game at OFA. Kirka was honored as the NAC's Defensive MVP after the Stoners won the Section 10 Class B title.

OFA's Stephen Morley flanked by Coach Matt Tessmer and his parents Brian and Lisa Morley receives the 2019 Don Petty Memorial Award.