The Trench Trophy is an award, started in 2003, which recognizes high school football lineman in the Western New York area. The award was founded by Len Kuhn and Carl Kuras. The Trench Trophy Award, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization officially established in 2015.

The Trench Trophy Logo

Award

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Players are graded on specific criteria by a group of knowledgeable scouts, known as the Committee. The Committee is composed of coaches, former coaches, and former players, who attend the games of more than 80 schools on a weekly basis. Every week five players are chosen as "Nominees," who are then eligible for the final award. After the state championships are over, nominees are broken down to twelve Hall of Fame Inductees, and then one final winner. The "Lineman of the Year" receives a college scholarship, among other accolades.

 

Mission

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The Trench Trophy Award, Inc. provides recognition to football players who predominantly play the position of offensive or defensive line for their school’s varsity, interscholastic football program. Schools include those of Section VI of the NYSPHSAA and Monsignor Martin Athletic Conference.

The specific objectives and purpose of the Trench Trophy shall be:

A. To promote sportsmanship, civic responsibility, and scholastic effort by athletes who predominantly play football.
B. To provide recognition to football linemen in Western New York state.
C. To provide opportunities for players to be discovered by local, regional, and national intercollegiate football programs.
D. To promote the growth of youth athletics, specifically the sport of football.

John Gebhardt Memorial Scholarship

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In August 2010, the Trench Trophy announced that their yearly college scholarship was named in honor of founding member and generous contributor John Gebhardt. The John Gebhardt Memorial Scholarship was decided by result of unanimous vote by the Committee. John was a dedicated supporter of the award since its inception.

Name

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The name "Trench Trophy" was approved on August 18, 2003, at the first meeting of the Trench Trophy Committee. It comes from the adage that lineman play in the "trenches."

Current Executive Committee

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  • Ed Sciera.Chairman
  • Philip Rizzi.Secretary
  • Ron Kromer.Treasurer
  • Rick Coburn.Trustee
  • Dennis Cronin.Trustee
  • Carl Ertel.Trustee
  • Chuck Graver.Trustee
  • Dave Hajduk.Trustee
  • Chuck Huber.Trustee
  • Cal Phillips.Trustee
  • Don Sullivan.Trustee
  • Sibby Constantino.Trustee
  • Carl Kuras.Co-Founder
  • Len Kuhn.Co-Founder
  • Victor Rizzi.Co-Founder
  • Joe Delamielleure.Special Contributor
  • Jim McNally.Special Contributor

Lineman of the Year Award Winners

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Past Winners:

Hall of Fame

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Last Name First Name School Year
Bitka Ryan Amherst 2019
Bruce Geno Hamburg 2019
Mahony Conor Lancaster 2019
Osborn Tim North Tonawanda 2019
Pannes Cooper Southwestern 2019
Schon Eric St. Francis 2019
Urbaniak A.J. Williamsville South 2019
Vernon Teryon Maritime 2019
Walker Jason St. Joe's 2019
Williams Jeremiah Bennett 2019
Wilson Cody Albion 2019
Wolfer Zack Franklinville/Ellicottville 2019
Argo Jake Starpoint 2018
Bernard Andrew Randolph-Frewsburg 2018
Boyd Jr. Stephen Cardinal O’Hara 2018
Braswell Greg South Park 2018
Doty Tyler St. Joe's 2018
Gaca David Lancaster 2018
Hamme Nick West Seneca East 2018
Loynes Jihad Bennett 2018
Newcomb George West Seneca West 2018
Powers Joe Lewiston-Porter 2018
Smith Trevor Pioneer 2018
Smouse Jordan Clymer-Sherman-Panama 2018
Walter Josh Williamsville North 2018
Wilkes Jeremiah Grand Island 2018
Al-Hemyari Manny Cleveland Hill 2017
Andreessen Joe Lancaster 2017
Arrington Sam Cleveland Hill 2017
Bass Terrance Cheektowaga 2017
Calo Jake Lancaster 2017
Claycomb Brad West Seneca West 2017
Holmes Jordon North Tonawanda 2017
McGennis Will Canisius 2017
Sanders Jeremiah South Park 2017
Schreader Kyle Starpoint 2017
Whitaker Tariq Cheektowaga 2017
Woodarek Walt Franklinville/Ellicottville 2017
Black Chauval Dunkirk 2016
Carr-Johnson Michael Hutch Tech 2016
Emer Nathan Iroquois 2016
Grisolia Tyler St. Francis 2016
Hutchinson Preston Franklinville/Ellicottville 2016
Jones Nick Dunkirk 2016
Kloss Sean Clarence 2016
Kubik Daniel Orchard Park 2016
Luderman Jacob Lancaster 2016
Pawlowski Nathan Cleveland Hill 2016
White Tyler Kenmore West 2016
Wilkes J.B. Grand Island 2016
Bruenn Greg West Seneca East 2015
Bullock-Watson Tristen Hutch-Tech 2015
Fuzak Jake Williamsville South 2015
Grant Jakob Depew 2015
Hannon Pat Springville 2015
Miner Leyton Alden 2015
Newsome Khaliqye Bennett 2015
Perlino AJ East Aurora-Holland 2015
Roberson Richard Canisius 2015
Senn Wesley Randolph 2015
Stephens Desmond Timon-St. Jude 2015
Wray Sam Starpoint 2015
Attea George Williamsville North 2014[15]
Baker Chandler Maple Grove-Chautauqua 2014[15]
Bowers Michael Randolph 2014[15]
Crawford Keyshawn Cleveland Hill 2014[15]
Kelleher Mike Maryvale 2014[15]
Ksiezarczyk Evin West Seneca East 2014[16][15]
Mistretta Joe Jamestown 2014[15]
Rymarczyk Matt Kenmore East 2014[15]
Wheatley T.J. Canisius 2014[15]
Wilson Rob Cheektowaga 2014[15]
Bill Jeremiah Hamburg 2013
Byrne Ryan Bishop Timon/St. Jude 2013
Doctor Tommy Grand Island 2013
Hillis Dawson Orchard Park 2013
Lamb Mike Depew 2013
MacIlwain Steven Cleveland Hill 2013
Merlau Ryan Pioneer 2013
Oldro Cody Randolph 2013
Perry Kevon Burgard 2013
Stauss Steven Albion 2013
Zobrest Phil Alden 2013
Bunker Jason Alden 2012
Czech John Jamestown 2012
Haines Cortland Jamestown 2012
Hunter Ryan Canisius 2012
Murphy Sean Bishop Timon/St. Jude 2012
Nocek Nick Fredonia 2012
Senn Michael Orchard Park 2012
Sommerville Khalil Bennett 2012
Studd Tyler Springville 2012
Swan Jake Maple Grove 2012
Anderson Nathan Frewsburg 2011
Austin Dan Southwestern 2011
Bartholomew Miles St. Francis 2011
Burgio Andrew Depew 2011
Chase Josh Alden 2011
DiPirro Kyle St. Mary's 2011
Lathrop Brandon Kenmore West 2011
Leach Devon Orchard Park 2011
Morganstern Mike Cheektowaga 2011
Scamurra T.J. Williamsville South 2011
Anna Dylan Pioneer 2010
Bauer Austin Lancaster 2010
Cambria Jack St. Joe's 2010
Fluent Ben Randolph 2010
Langworthy Pat Southwestern 2010
NeMoyer Thomas Canisius 2010
Sanders Anthony McKinley 2010
Schiavi Mike Lackawanna 2010
Therrien Todd Williamsville East 2010
Washington Dereon Riverside 2010
Bigelow Troy Eden 2009
Carlson Jasen Southwestern 2009
Gallagher Dillon Williamsville South 2009
Harnden Eric Grand Island 2009
Hornung Matt Cheektowaga 2009
Howard Desmond St. Francis 2009
Marsh Zack Panama 2009
Mulhern Sean Riverside 2009
Shreve Casey North Tonawanda 2009
Shreve Kyle North Tonawanda 2009
Buck Chris Frontier 2008
Bunker Ben North Tonawanda 2008
Gens Corey Maple Grove 2008
Green Reggie Lackawanna 2008
Hairston Curtis Cleveland Hill 2008
Harnden Ryan Grand Island 2008
Kieliszek Kevin Lancaster 2008
Mesi Justin Orchard Park 2008
Phillips Steve Sweet Home 2008
Rohauer Donald Alden 2008
Smith Mike Grover Cleveland 2008
Urschel John Canisius 2008
Benson Anthony Grover Cleveland 2007
Eldridge Zack Cleveland Hill 2007
Dudkowski Kevin Depew 2007
Garvey Art East Aurora 2007
Jesonowski Joshua Iroquois 2007
Balcerzak Corey Lockport 2007
Bloom Randy Orchard Park 2007
Rosario Jose Randolph 2007
Hymes Corey St. Francis 2007
Christman Nicholas Sweet Home 2007
Hadi Abdullah Lackawanna 2006
Skubis Christopher Clarence 2006
Byrum Carlton Depew 2006
Rodriguez Gil Frontier 2006
Kakavand Nicholas Iroquois 2006
Apperson Andrew Maple Grove 2006
Appenheimer Mike Maryvale 2006
DePalma Joseph Silver Creek 2006
Steinwald Harrison St Joe's 2006
Eaton Blake Allegany-Limestone 2005
Beaver Jeffrey Burgard 2005
King Justin Grand Island 2005
Jesonowski Jesse Iroquois 2005
Hogg John McKinley 2005
Annis Max North Tonawanda 2005
McElwain Tim Randolph 2005
Papia Jeff St Joe's 2005
Bittner Pete Williamsville North 2005
Smith Chris St. Francis 2004
Worthington Doug St. Francis 2004
Brown Tim Burgard 2004
Rosner Adam Depew 2004
Coan Steve Frewsburg 2004
Margerum Ian Hamburg 2004
Port Alex North Tonawanda 2004
Weber Jason Orchard Park 2004
Miller Matt Portville 2004
Santiago Adriel South Park 2004
Langworthy Matt Southwestern 2004
Randle Brandon Burgard 2003
Amos Ryan Cleveland Hill 2003
Kindt Justin Depew 2003
Livingston John Eden 2003
Ingraham Doug Grand Island 2003
Haney Alex Lockport 2003
Maull Gary Olean 2003
Graham Matt Orchard Park 2003
Sickles Andy Randolph 2003
Freeman Garvie South Park 2003

Grading Criteria

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  • Technique
  • Determination
  • Aggressiveness
  • Intensity
  • Ability to be a Team Player
  • Coachability
  • Consistency
  • Courage
  • Citizenship
  • Scholastic Effort

[Size [height and/or weight] shall NOT be taken into consideration]

See also

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For More Information

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References

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  1. ^ "Livingston Wins Award as Top Lineman". December 7, 2003.
  2. ^ "Urschel wins Trench Trophy Canisius tackle is top lineman". December 11, 2008.
  3. ^ "Carlson best in the trenches". December 10, 2009.
  4. ^ "Canisius High grad Ryan Hunter has earned second chance on Chiefs' active roster". January 28, 2020.
  5. ^ "High School Football: Trench Trophy caps Hunter's journey". December 6, 2012.
  6. ^ "Hamburg's Bill was best in the Trenches". December 12, 2013.
  7. ^ "Mistretta Wins Trench Trophy". USA Today High School Sports. December 3, 2014.
  8. ^ "Fuzak Wins the 2015 Trench Trophy". December 4, 2015.
  9. ^ "South Park's Jeremiah Sanders caps standout career by earning Trench Trophy". December 7, 2017.
  10. ^ "Doty makes history; first St. Joe's lineman to win Trench Trophy". December 6, 2018.
  11. ^ "Natural selection: Falcons' Teryon Vernon wins Trench Trophy". December 5, 2019.
  12. ^ "Canisius Crusaders' Gavin Susfolk wins Trench Trophy as WNY's top lineman". December 11, 2021.
  13. ^ "Bennett's Rashard Perry wins Trench Trophy". December 7, 2022.
  14. ^ "St. Francis' Marcus Harrison, a Georgia commit, wins 2023 Trench Trophy Award". December 8, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Trench Trophy Finalists 2014". November 27, 2014.
  16. ^ "Bull Run Senior Sendoff - Evin Ksiezarczyk". December 13, 2019.