EVERETT — Comcast Arena may have been hosting 107.7 The End’s Deck the Hall Ball, but the eyes and ears of the Snohomish County football community were focused squarely on the gala going on in the Everett Events Center’s Ballroom No. 1 in the building’s east portion.
The Center hosted the 26th Annual Scholar Athlete Awards Banquet Thursday, as the Snohomish County Football Officials Hall of Fame carried on a tradition co-founded by late Archbishop Murphy football coach Terry Ennis’ father, Jim.
Twenty-one schools in Island and Snohomish County nominate one back and one lineman for their endeavors both on the football field and off. The 42 nominees competed for two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships. The organization also awards the $1,000 Schireman Armed Services Award.
“We look a lot at their citizenship and leadership,” committee member Al Furiak said. “Most of these kids do something with school and most of them do something with their church or their community and we look at that really close — maybe more closely than the athletic part. I think (athletics) is secondary.”
The committee also examines academic achievement and this year’s winners demonstrated brains in the classroom to complement their brawn on the gridiron.
The $1,000 back scholarship went to Snohomish’s Brad Perry, who has a 4.0 grade point average and is ranked first in his class. He hopes to wrestle at Boise State and return to the area as a high school teacher and coach.
Perry acknowledged his appreciation for the character aspect of the award.
“Athletics usually comes naturally to people, but character you really have to work for,” he said.
Meadowdale’s Eric Secrist took home the $1,000 scholarship for linemen. The National Honor Society member boasts a 3.84 grade point average, scored 2,140 (including a perfect 800 on the writing portion) on the SAT, and served as football team captain. He was also a link crew member, served as a legislative page and belongs to an organization that runs an orphanage in Uganda.
“It’s a great capper to a great season,” said Secrist, who is weighing his options between pursuing football at the Division III level or attending the University of Washington. “It’s really nice to be recognized and honored for the work (that) no one usually knows about and to be recognized for that is pretty cool.”
Secrist wasn’t the only Maverick to receive a scholarship, as teammate Connor Nelson received the $500 scholarship for backs.
Also a National Honor Society member, Nelson has a 3.86 grade point average, takes advanced classes and has been named Student of the Month by the Lynnwood Rotary. He is also involved in link crew, was voted homecoming king and served as vice president of the Black Student Union.
Though Nelson garnered the award for backs, he ironically was named to the Wesco South First Team as an offensive lineman.
“I really don’t feel like I need an award (for these activities),” said Nelson, who is also weighing his football options between Western Washington and several Division III schools. “It’s really nice and makes my parents really happy, which is what it’s all about for me.”
The $500 lineman award went to Mariner’s Sean Braaten, a Wesco South First Teamer and team captain, who has a 3.90 grade point average, works in the Marauder Spirit Crew Program and particpates in food and toy drives.
“I was really shocked to get this award,” Braaten said. “I was so excited. My family has always taught me that school comes first and sports comes after that.”
Arlington’s Brad McPherson garnered the Schireman Armed Services Award, but was not present. The AHS National Honor Society Vice President has a 4.0 grade point average, captained the football and basketball teams, ran track, served on the Student Council and has been accepted to West Point.
Seahawks placekicker Josh Brown was the keynote speaker, commending the nominees for their successes thus far and sharing tales of his own career at the University of Nebraska to prepare them for what lies ahead.
“I take myself back to what I was thinking at that time. I was clueless as to what was going on,” Brown said afterward. “I didn’t know what to expct, I didn’t know what was coming. My job here is to give the kids a little insight as to what’s coming and what they’re about to face and the trials and tribulations of being a student athlete.”
Other nominees included: Archbishop Murphy—Ryan Bourke, Jared Smith; Arlington—Kurt Hampton; Cascade—Femi Abebefe, Gagandeep Heer; Darrington—Justin O’Dell, Conner Rounds; Edmonds-Woodway—Alex Walker, Michael Asefaw; Everett—Jacob Anstett, Brent Swezey; Granite Falls—Kasey David, Jullian Gamache; Jackson—Myles Bittinger, Christopher McGee; Kamiak—Skylar Stormo, Kyle McIntosh; Lake Stevens—Kelly Kurisu, Isaac Molstre; Lakewood—Max Dragich, Fabrice Lays; Lynnwood—Nick Portillo, Scott Hill; Mariner—Tyler Tuiasosopo; Marysville-Pilchuck—Curtis Klep, Peter Clark; Monroe—Colton Rintala, Kenton Lucke; Mountlake Terrace—Ethan Robinson, Tyler McDowell; Snohomish—William Leahy; South Whidbey—Parker Barnett, Kyle Hoch; Stanwood—Alexander Eby, Jared Schwarze; Sultan—Nigel Romeijn, Cody Morgan.
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