The Wyoming Chapter of the National Football Foundation will honor players, coaches and fans during its 20th annual banquet March 22 in Laramie.
In all, 12 Wyoming high school football players are finalists for the chapter’s scholar-athlete of the year award. Finalists include Dubois’ Sterling Baker and Meeteetse’s Seth Bennett from Class 1A six-man; Cokeville’s Brock Teichert and Lusk’s Matt VandeBossche from Class 1A 11-man; Big Horn’s Miles Novak, Wright’s Stormy Roy and Glenrock’s Devon Parkinson from Class 2A; Powell’s Garrett Lynch and Hayden Cragoe and Douglas’ Logan Barker from Class 3A; and Sheridan’s Tyler Julian and Gillette’s Austin Fort from Class 4A.
From this group, one player will be chosen as the chapter’s top scholar-athlete, who will represent the state at the national level. Each winner will receive a $1,200 scholarship, and the winner will receive an additional $1,200 scholarship.
In addition, Big Horn’s Michael Lamb will be given the group’s Scholar-Athlete Courage Award and Cheyenne East’s Shane Brooks will be awarded the Scholar-Athlete Perseverance Award.
University of Wyoming players Spencer Bruce and Justin Bernthaler will also be honored.
Other special awards will be given to:
Greatest University of Wyoming Football Fans: Jo Ferguson, Cheyenne; Wes and Coleen Metzler, Powell; Tracy Ringolsby Jr., Cheyenne.
Greatest Wyoming High School Football Fans: George Haas, Torrington; Ron Mills, Newcastle.
Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football: Scott Mangold, Powell; Paul Stille, Casper.
Ox Zellner Football Official Career Achievement Award: Dale Boedeker, Gillette.
Football Coach Career Achievement Award: Keith Nate, Cokeville; Steve Oldenburg, Gillette; Rick Scherry, Sheridan (Big Horn).
Former Rock Springs and UW star John Wendling, who plays for the Detroit Lions, will be the keynote speaker.
Douglas’ Ty Etchemendy was named the top scholar-athlete last year.
Previous award winners are available at the group’s website.
–patrick