Molea voices his choice at English grid banquet

NAHANT – Gary Molea, who was given the choice between being the athletic director at English High and being the football coach, has chosen to keep his AD position. Wednesday night, at the football team’s breakup dinner, he told an overflow crowd at the Nahant Country Club he’s recommending assistant Peter Holey to replace him.”We’ve had several applicants,” Molea told the players, their parents, and his assistant coaches. “We have to go through the process of posting the position, but once that’s done, we’re going to sit down and I know how I’d like it to go. I’m recommending that my assistant, Peter Holey, get the position.”Molea also said that even though he cannot continue as the head coach, he fully intends to be around the program in some kind of capacity.Holey, who called defensive signals for Boston College’s 1984 Cotton Bowl-winning team, spoke at the end of the dinner, thanking Molea for his 18 years of service and telling the crowd that Molea was the best coach he’s ever worked with as an assistant.”We’ve had so many kids come through this program, where – if you went somewhere else – the coaching staff wouldn’t have time for them,” Holey said. “Gary Molea always had time for them ? always made them feel welcome, and feel like they were a part of the program.”Molea also noted that on this year’s team, 18 of his players made the honor roll, and another 16 just missed by one grade.”And that’s important,” he said. “You can be the best running back in the world, but you’re going nowhere if you don’t have the grades.”English has had several football players whose skill and academic credentials have allowed them to play for prestigious colleges and universities – the most recent being Matt Curtis, who was elected captain for next year’s Harvard football team.Molea handed out two academic awards Wednesday. The Paul Cavanagh Scholarship went to Jason Gervacio; and the scholar-athlete award went to Matt Bowden.Other awards went to Byron Brown (defensive player of the year) and Charlie Rucker (offensive player of the year). The William A. “Bill” Hall award was presented to Josh Vera.Coaches awards went to Troy Adjurson, Bob Mason, Julio Arzu, Sam Hill, Danny Lucier, Steve Haberek, Justin Young and Jesse Fowler.Brown, Rucker and Al Sodeomo were acknowledged for being Northeastern Conference all-stars.Freshmen awards went to Carlo Buono and Travonne Berry-Rogers (co-offensive MVPs) and Cory Burt and Derek Stevens (co-defensive MVPs). Neil Whittredge won the freshman coaches award.The cheerleaders were also honored for their accomplishments. Nikki McMaster was named unsung hero, Samantha Harne, showmanship; Meaghan Gorman, leadership; and Shannon Breen, rookie of the year.Next year’s cheerleading captains are Gorman, Harne, Jackie Sullivan and Kristine Birmingham.