By Marley Seaman
Running back and co-captain Ricky Manigat received the Tom Thorp Award as the best football player in the county. He also took home the Nassau County Championship Offensive Most Valuable Player, and was named an All-County and All-Long Island Player. The senior scored a Baldwin record 21 touchdowns on the season, including a 316-yard effort against Massapequa in the Nassau title game on Nov. 5. The senior also played cornerback and intercepted three passes.
Aaron Weaver, a senior wide receiver, defensive back, kick returner and punter, won the Dragon Award, given to the best wideout in the county, and was named Offensive MVP of the Long Island Championship. He was also selected to the All-County and All-Long Island teams, and was also named MSG's Tri-State Player of the Week.
Offensive lineman and co-captain Webster Brown, who anchored Manigat's unit of blockers throughout the season, was named an All-County Player, as was quarterback Joe Vanella.
The Bruins' defensive players were no less successful, as defensive back Brendan Murphy was given the Long Island Championship Defensive MVP Award, and defensive back Dakota Lupo was given the County Championship equivalent.
Three players were placed on the All-Conference Team: tight end/linebackers Jemel Saunders and Chris O'Donnell and linebacker Teddy Murray. Murray was a Tri-State Player of the Week earlier in the season. Academic All-Conference honors went to Manigat, Vanella and Chris O'Donnell.
Coach Steve Carroll, who took a team with only three returning starters and brought the Nassau championship to Baldwin for the first time ever, was twice rewarded for his successes. Caroll won the Conference I Coach of the Year Award and the Bruce Gehrke Memorial Nassau County Coach of the Year Award.
