2014 All-Bronx Football Honors

The Bronx was again a football rich borough with familiar faces leading the way.

DeWitt Clinton had one of its best seasons be finishing in the top four in the PSAL during the regular season and reached the quarterfinals. Cardinal Hayes represented itself well in its move up into the ‘AAA’, reaching the playoffs in the highest level of the CHSFL Fordham Prep brought a championship back by winning the CHSFL ‘A’ crown and Horace Mann put together and undefeated season. In another banner year here are the players who made it happen:

Player of the Year

Chauncey Murray

DeWitt Clinton

Clinton’s success was very much predicated on it ground and pound and ball control offense. No one personified it more than Murray. The junior ran for 435 yards at 8.21 yards per carry, scored eight touchdowns and chipped in four two-point conversions. Murray also got it done defense at safety. He made 33 tackles, had three interceptions and two sacks to help Clinton to the No. 4 seed and a trip to quarterfinals.

Coach of the Year

Matt Russo

Horace Mann

It was just five years ago that Horace Mann was a struggling program at 1-7. Those days seem to be over under Russo’s guidance. The second-year head coach finished off the Lions’ climb with a perfect 9-0 season this year and a Hudson Valley Football league championship after beating Dalton 34-0 in the title game.

First Team

LB Tyshawn Boykins,

Kennedy

The senor was one of the most feared defensive players in the PSAL for good reason. Boykins made 64 tackles, including 13 sacks. He also four interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Add in 262 yards receiving and a score and it was quite a year.

RB/LB Jaire Blackwell

Kennedy

Blackwell was a versatile force for the Knights on offense. He compiled 860 yards of total offense and averaged 19.7 yards per grab. The senior scored 11 touchdowns, including a kick return for a score.

DB Michael Bronzo

Fordham Prep

Bronzo was a big play machine and delivered in one of the season’s most important games. He had a 61-yard punt return for a score in the CHSFL Class A title game victory. Add in collecting two interceptions and recovering a fumble recovery to propel his team to the win.

RB Justin Covington

Cardinal Hayes

The sophomore running back announced himself to the New York City football landscape. Covington carried the load early with Tim Poindexter injured. Covington posted 896 yards of total offense and six touchdowns to help Hayes to a 4-3 CHSFL record.

SS Ataa Gordon

Dewitt Clinton

Gordon was the unquestioned leader of the Governors’ defense and he played like it. The senior made 39 tackles and had a defensive score. He added three sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recovers to his excellent passion and energy.

QB/LB Mike Lighten

Horace Mann

It is hard to have a perfect season without a dominant player on the field. Lighten was the guy. Multiple touchdown games were the norm for the 6-foot, 210-pound Lighten. The junior was tough to bring down and was a tremendous run -stopper on defense.

OL/DL Lindsay Malcom

Mount St. Michael

The Mountaineers are team built around the run game and that’s not possible without a good offensive line. The senior was the staple of that unit for Mount. He chipped in on defense also with 26 tackles.

QB Henry Miller

Fieldston

The signal caller was the driving force behind the Eagles offense. Miller threw for 1,263 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also run for 209 yards and score. His play helped propel Fieldston to a 5-3 record, including a win over Christ the King.

WR Will Randell

Fordham Prep

Everyone knew the senior was the Rams top receiver and arguably its best offensive player. Still they couldn’t stop him. Randell had 61 catches for 1,110 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was the model of consistency, averaging 100 receiving yards per game.

SS Tim Poindexter

Cardinal Hayes

It wasn’t a stellar season rushing the ball for Poindexter, but the junior excelled as a two-way play. He was second on the team in tackles with 48 and collected two interceptions. Hayes doesn’t have a strong second half of the year without him.

OL/DL Jaelen Vazquez

Cardinal Hayes

The Old Dominion-bound lineman played both ways, but really excelled on the offense. Vazquez is one of the most technically sound players at his position and help Hayes have one of the league’s best rushing attacks.