Here's a look at Nassau football's 'Golden 12' scholar-athletes
The Golden 12 scholar athletes: Back row, from left: Lukas Rinaldi of New Hyde Park, Matthew Kind of Seaford, Jayden Johnson of South Side, Zach Olson of Garden City, Tim Long of Long Beach, Joseph Nicholson of Wantagh. Front row, from: Liam Baker of Locust Valley, Timothy Stanley of Division, Timmy Lynch of Calhoun, Chase Samuelson of Lynbrook and Michael Asselta of Port Washington. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Each year the Nassau County Football Coaches Association selects the top scholar-athletes for the National Football Foundation’s Nassau County Chapter. The Golden 12 also includes the Jay Fiedler Award winner as the top scholar-athlete in the county. That player will be recognized at a separate event in January.
The top scholar-athletes are recognized for their contributions and achievements in the classroom as well as their success on the gridiron. This group has been lauded for all-around excellence.
Michael Asselta, Port Washington, WR/DB, Sr.: The All-Nassau selection had 46 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He caught 19 passes for 211 yards and three scores. He had an unweighted average of 98.5. He scored 1460 on the SAT and 33 on the ACT.
Liam Baker, Locust Valley, QB/DB, Sr.: All-Nassau selection has 40 tackles and three interceptions. He had a 106.42 weighted GPA and scored 1410 on the SAT.
Nick Greco, Oceanside, OL/DL, Sr.: All-Nassau selection didn’t yield a sack this season. He had a 99.265 weighted average. He scored 1300 on the SAT.
Jayden Johnson, South Side, OL/LB, Sr.: The All-Nassau selection led the Cyclones in tackles and tackles for a loss for the past two years. He had a 97.193 unweighted average. He scored 1160 on the SAT.
Matthew Kind, Seaford, OL/DE, Sr.: The All-Nassau selection was the anchor of the offensive line and the leading tackler n the D-line. He had a 107.47 weighted average. He scored 1560 on the SAT.
Timmy Lynch, Calhoun, QB, Sr.: The All-Nassau selection had 1,300 passing yards and 17 TD. He also ran for 164 yards and a score. He had a 93.9 weighted average. He scored 1330 on SAT.
Tim Miller, Long Beach, OL/LB, Sr.: All-Nassau selection had 38 tackles, including eight for a loss. He had a 101 weighted average. He scored 1300 on SAT.
Joseph Nicholson, Wantagh, RB/LB, Sr.: All-Nassau selection led Wantagh to the Nassau Conference III title, rushing for 944 yards and 11 TD. He also had 617 receiving yards and four TD. He had a 101.02 weighted average.
Zach Olson, Garden City, OL/DL, Sr.: Two-time All-Nassau selection had a 95.31 weighted average. He scored 1440 on SAT. Harvard commit led Garden City to fifth straight Long Island Class II title.
Lukas Rinaldi, New Hyde Park, RB/LB, Sr.: Two-time All-Nassau selection rushed for 556 yards and three scores. He had a 94.52 weighted average. He scored 1410 on SAT.
Chase Samelson, Lynbrook, QB, Sr.: All-Nassau selection passed for 1,773 yards and 17 TD for the Owls. He also rushed for 1,006 yards and 11 TD. He had a 92.53 weighted average.
Timothy Stanley, Division, QB, Sr.: All-Nassau selection passed for 17 TD and rushed for two more. He passed for 1,728 yards. He had a 94 weighted average. He scored 1120 on SAT.
Gregg Sarra is Newsday's high school sports editor and has been on the beat since the mid-1980s.
