The story of the Zoneman Trophy and our Football Banquet
by Rich Chrampanis, Jersey Sports Zone Chief Operating Officer
In the year 2000, I received the great honor of a Heisman Trophy ballot as I started my tenure on television at WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach. I was so excited to get the chance to weigh in on such a significant award and it got me thinking of bringing the same kind of excitement to our high school football coverage. So we built a trophy and instead of the Heisman, the Zoneman was born. During my 15 years, we were fortunate to have some outstanding winners of our award starting with current Miami Dolphins linebacker Lawrence Timmons, former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson and Clemson wide receiver Hunter Renfrow, who caught the game winning TD pass in last year’s national championship game. The Zoneman tradition is still going strong in South Carolina and it now has a New Jersey chapter, starting on the Jersey Shore. We’re excited now to start a new tradition in New Jersey high school football as we will present the most outstanding player in the state with our Zoneman Trophy
Boston College QB Anthony Brown won our Zoneman Trophy in 2015 after his senior season at Saint John Vianney
The Zoneman Balloting
Our 2017 Zoneman was voted on by head coaches from every part of the state (WJFL, Shore Conference, Greater Middlesex Conference, Mid-State 38 and the NJSFC) as well as the JSZ staff and media representatives from around the state. Every ballot has a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place votes with three points awarded for 1st, two for 2nd and one point for 3rd. We are excited to announce the finalists for the 2017 Zoneman Trophy in alphabetical order
2017 Zoneman Trophy Finalists
Iverson Clement, Rancocas Valley running back
Johnny Langan, Bergen Catholic quarterback
Devin Leary, Timber Creek quarterback
Naim Mayfield, Manalapan running back
Shayne Simon, Saint Peter’s Prep LB/WR
Ashante Worthy, Freehold Boro quarterback
The 2017 JSZ Football Banquet
Coming up on Thursday at the APA Hotel in Woodbridge, we will honor the top players in the state at our JSZ Football Banquet. Our All-Zone team will consist of top players at every position from around the state, our Plays of the Week and Plays of the Year winners and the announcement of the 2017 Zoneman Trophy. We are excited to celebrate the 2017 season with video highlights of every single player in attendance. We will post our All-Zone team, all of our features and the announcement of our 2017 Zoneman Trophy winner right here on Jersey Sports Zone on Thursday and Friday. Players and head coaches being honored are part of our guest list. Any family, friends or supporters of your hometown team can purchase tickets to our dinner and program at the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jersey-sports-zone-football-banquet-tickets-40116214678?aff=es2
