Football Recognition Night a Time for Reflection and Celebration

Above: A.J. Kirkland (left) and Fareed Kareem were two of the senior football players honored at Recognition Night. All photos courtesy of Jim Pivarnik.

The uniforms and equipment have been handed in, postseason meetings have been held and recognition night honors awarded.

The final team meal for the 2018 East Lansing football team celebrated a 9-2 season that met and perhaps, at times, exceeded expectations. But the dessert may have to wait for next year.

The Trojans cleared every obstacle but one, and it came around twice in the form of the DeWitt Panthers: once in week five, a crushing 37-0 setback on Homecoming; then again in the district championship game, a 9-7 loss that showed how far this team had battled back with lineups at less than 100 percent capacity.

“That was perhaps one of the more gratifying aspects to this season,” said head coach Bill Feraco. “To see players enter the fray and come away having contributed a major part to our victory.

Above: The East Lansing High School football coaching staff honored its athletes at Tuesday’s Recognition Night awards dinner in the school cafeteria.

“Examples: Sam Busch in the season opener against St. Johns; James Hosey in the win at Portage; Kaleb Elam steps in at tailback against Everett and has a big night; T’Senre (Gray) and David (Wachira) score three touchdowns each against Waverly; Jack Morse takes some reps at safety.”

That type of readiness, week in and week out, enabled the Trojans to carve out important wins over Grand Ledge, Holt, Portage Northern, Okemos and Haslett. Feraco reminded his team Tuesday evening in the school cafeteria that eight victories in the regular season had not been accomplished at East Lansing since 2003.

“You’ll take that with you and nobody can deny you that,” he said. “It’s something for you to build upon as you get older.”

The Recognition Night award winners included:

• Captain’s Award – Kobe Hayward, Jack Morse
• Most Improved – Louis Booth, David Wachira
• Trojan Award – Jayth Joseph. An award selected by the coaches for the athlete who is the most unselfish, starter or not. “A kid you can trust and count on, who does whatever the team needs,” Feraco said.
• Orange Army Player of the Year (Scout Team) – Dominic Alvera, Luke Stine. For players who demonstrated a willingness and performed at a high level in practice throughout the season.
• Sparkplug – Dano Ley
• Most Valuable Player – Kobe Hayward

The following players were selected to the Capital Area Activities Conference Blue Division all-league team: Andrel Anthony, wide receiver; Kobe Hayward, running back; Jalil Lewis, defensive line; Justin Brown, linebacker; Jamar Mills, linebacker; Jack Morse, placekicker, wide receiver.

These players earned honorable mention all-conference: Joe Benbraham (quarterback), Ethan Boyd (offensive line), Kaleb Elam (defensive back), Jayth Joseph (linebacker).

“As far as bottom line, wins and losses, this has been the most successful season for the entire program (freshman/junior varsity/varsity) in my tenure (15 years),” Feraco said. “The question is, will these kids stay hungry and carry that edge to pursue better things?

“Our Junior Trojan program (led by Rufus Jackson) has aided and abetted us a lot. We’re seeing a positive product that has given us steady success from fourth grade through eighth grade. Hopefully that carries over with them when they get to high school.”

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