Thorp Award watch
Hewlett quarterback #8 Alex Kahn throws a pass while Lawrence's Shawn Tarrant attempts to block in the second quarter. Hewlett won the game 35-7. (Sept. 25, 2010) Credit: James Escher
So whom has distinguished themselves as Thorp Award candidates as we near the halfway point of the season?
The quarterbacks.
In Saturday's classic Farmingdale-Freeport game, Sal Tuttle of the Dalers and Isaiah Barnes of the Red Devils put on a show, as both threw for over 200 yards. Tuttle, who also ran for 170 yards, struck the final blow with a game-winning touchdown pass to Pat Starke with 35 seconds remaining.
And they aren't the only ones. Oceanide's Tyler Heuer has been sensational, Alex Kahn of Hewlett just helped lead his team to a huge win over Lawrence, and Paul Magloire of Lynbrook keeps methodically pushing unbeaten Lynbrook along with his arm and his feet.
So could this be the first year since 2000, when Freeport's Chris Richez earned the honor, that a QB takes home the Thorp Award? It's certainly possible based on the early-season returns.
Now, without further ado, here is this week's Thorp Award watch (players are listed in alphabetical order)...
(To see Bob Herzog's Hansen Award watch, click here.)
Isaiah Barnes, Freeport: As stated earlier, the Red Devils junior quarterback was fantastic on Saturday, albeit in a losing effort. He was 16-for-23 for 211 yards and two touchdowns in the 42-39 loss to Farmingdale. On the season, Barnes has five passing TDs and two rushing. To see highlights of the entire game, click here.
Justin Buckley, Seaford: The Vikings senior running back continues to rack up huge numbers. In Saturday's 21-0 win at East Rockaway, he carried the ball 33 times for 118 yards and a touchdown. In just three games, the workhorse has 505 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 75 carries for undefeated Seaford.
Donte Colter, Roosevelt: The Rough Riders' senior tailback and Buckley are really battling to see who the best Conference IV back is. Colter rushed for 96 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in Roosevelt's 28-14 win over Cold Spring Harbor on Saturday. Colter has rushed for 343 yards on 37 carries (9.27 per carry) with six touchdowns so far this year.
Gene Garay, Oceanside: Heuer's favorite target in the Sailors' offense caught nine passes for 149 yards and three TDs in their 49-12 win at Hempstead on Saturday. For the season, Garay has caught 15 passes for 238 yards and three scores. He also has 32 rushing yards.
Tyler Heuer, Oceanside: The Sailors senior quarterback may very well be the early frontrunner for the award, and Saturday's performance only enhanced his resume. He was 17-for-23 for 294 yards and five touchdowns in a 49-12 win at Hempstead. Of Oceanside's 17 offensive touchdowns, Heuer has had a hand in 14 of them (nine passing, five rushing). In three games, he is 39-for-64 (60.9 percent) for 593 yards through the air, and has rushed for 291 yards. Things get difficult the next two weeks, as the 3-0 Sailors will take on East Meadow and Farmingdale, so we'll see how Heuer comes out of those games. To hear Heuer's postgame comments and see one of his TD passes, click here.
Alex Kahn, Hewlett: The Bulldogs senior QB (pictured above) was efficient in Saturday's 35-7 blowout of Lawrence, passing for 95 yards and a touchdown on 5-of-10 passing. He also ran for 58 yards on 11 carries. He has thrown four TD passes without an INT for undefeated Hewlett, and rushed for two more.
Paul Magloire, Lynbrook: The Owls senior signal-caller was 6-for-10 for 126 yards and a touchdown, and rushed for 93 yards and a score on eight carries in Lynbrook's 28-6 win over Glen Cove on Saturday. On the season, he's rushed for 283 yards and two touchdowns, and thrown for 157 yards and two touchdowns.
Jaquan Smith, Elmont: The Spartans senior running back got back on track with a huge game on Saturday. He rushed for 153 yards and three touchdowns on only 11 carries, and caught two passes for 32 yards and a score in a 53-14 drubbing of Westbury. Smith has scored eight touchdowns on the season (five rushing, two receiving and one kick return).
William Stanback, Uniondale: The Knights sophomore running back is really flying under the radar, but that could change with a big performance against Farmingdale this week. Last Saturday, he rushed for another touchdown (his fourth of the season) in a 21-14 loss to Massapequa.
Sal Tuttle, Farmingdale: The Dalers senior QB, who'll play lacrosse at Hofstra next year, had the game of his life on Saturday, completed 12 of his 17 passes for 213 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 35 seconds to play. He also rushed for 170 yards and a score. For his efforts, he was named MSG Varsity's tri-state Offensive Player of the Week. On the season, he has four TD passes and two TD runs.
Honorable mention: Juliano Bove, Carey; Shareem Cobb, Sewanhaka; Brian Fischer, Garden City; Ryan Fredericks, Lawrence; Tyler Fredericks, Lawrence; Stephen Jahelka, Garden City; Travis Lock, Lynbrook; Joe Morris, Syosset; John Reicherter, Wantagh; Niv Sultan, Hewlett, Kevin Wahl, Farmingdale, Brian Wint, Sewanhaka.
