OLEAN, N.Y. — If you’ve attended a Kane High School football game this past year then you’ve heard the public address announcer utter many times, “Tackle by number 45 James Lingenfelter.”
Lingenfelter was named the Lou Foy Defensive Player of the Year at the 47th annual Big 30 Awards Dinner held at the St. Stephen’s Club on Thursday.
According to D9Sports.com the 5-11, 175-pound senior linebacker has 144 tackles on the year and at one point during the season he was leading the state in stops.
“He (Lingenfelter) is certainly deserving of this award,” said Todd Silfies, Kane head coach. “He’s the center of our defense and is a great linebacker. He’s also a great kid and my kid’s hero.”
At the Wolves’ Senior Night it was announced Lingenfelter had intentions of joining the Navy upon graduation, but football programs at higher institutions are also showing a desire for his services.
“James is a bit undecided right now and is listening to offers from colleges,” Silfies stated. “His main goal is to enlist, but he wants to explore his options.”
LIngenfelter will lead his troops into battle this evening at Clarion University as the sixth-seeded Wolves (8-3) tangle with No. 6 Brockway in the District 9 Class A title contest.
As a team Kane was given with the Large School Award.
“That’s a great honor for our guys,” Silfies declared. “That’s the second year in a row we’ve won that.”
The other major award winner is also in active duty as Randolph Central quarterback Bryce Morrison garnered the Gary Sage Memorial Player of the Year His teammate Mike Bowers was named the E.B. Fitzpatrick Lineman of the Year and the school earned the Small School Award. Randolph (10-1) will face Tioga tonight in the New York State playoffs.
Other award winners were Chad Bartoszek of Franklinville/Ellicottville/West Valley as the Alfred Joe Bunnell Coach of the Year, Olean QB Chuck Martin was named the Joe Bizzaro Olean-Bradford MVP after throwing three touchdown passes in the rivalry contest and Pioneer Central was the Leon Abbott Sportsmanship winner. Big 30 members Joe DiCerbo and Jim Caribardi were also recognized for their years of service on the committee.
Despite a 2-8 record, Bradford Area High School placed two Owls on the Big 30 squad.in 6-2, 245-pound senior guard Steve Zawatski and 6-1, 235-pound senior defensive end John Pantuso.
“This is a testament to how hard those guys worked,” said Jeff Puglio, Bradford head mentor. “We put a guy on each side of the ball and both were deserving. John (Pantuso) is a weight-room type of guy and played three solid years for me. Steve (Zawatski) didn’t play last year but came back strong in different situations and succeeded. Two linemen and two gritty guys.”
