MARBLEHEAD– The 2017 football season was a memorable one on the North Shore. Thursday night at Tedesco Country Club, the accomplishments of the local teams, coaches and players were celebrated at the annual Item All-Star Dinner.
The event was emceed by Bill Newell of web streaming service Moore Stuff Online, who welcomed the 25 Item all-star players, their families, and guests on behalf of Item publisher Edward M. “Ted” Grant, CEO Michael H. Shanahan, Essex Media Group board members Edward L. Cahill and J. Patrick Norton, and Item Sports Editor Steve Krause.
After the 25 members of this year’s all-star team were introduced, a round of applause was given to the 22 area head coaches. The presentation of All-Star trophies took place after the dinner.
Following the presentation of the trophies, guest speaker Ed Toner, a former defensive tackle for the Boston Patriots, addressed the players.
A 1960 graduate of Lynn English, Toner played from 1967 to 1970 for the Boston Patriots; his brother, the late Tom Toner, a Swampscott High graduate, was a member of the Green Bay Packers and his son, Eddie Jr., who also went to Swampscott High, played for the Indianapolis Colts.
Most recently, Toner received honors for being the Patriots’ first Alumni Volunteer of the Year.
“It was a thrill. I was excited to be asked to be the guest speaker tonight,” Toner said. “It’s a great function. It’s a great time with great people. It was a good event. They could’ve gone to a better guy and a better speaker but I was thrilled to be here.”
Toner’s speech touched on the importance of perseverance and resilience.
“I hope these kids know how important it is to hang in there when things get tough,” Toner said. “I hope they learn how important it is to get up and keep going because things get tough every other day. You have to climb over it and understand that that’s what life is.
“A lot of these kids were in situations where they won games that they were losing at halftime,” Toner added. “They come back because they hang in there. It’s what happens, it’s a wonderful feeling when you know you broke through.”
Toner recounted a story of three of his more troublesome students during his days as an assistant principal at Lynn Classical, and how all three have turned their lives around, as an example that it is never too late to change your direction in life if you want to. He also told the players that some of their most lasting friendships will be the ones they made by being on a team.
Following Toner’s speech, four players and one coach were recognized for their outstanding efforts and achievements this fall.
Lynn Tech’s Steffan Gravely and Marblehead’s Aidan Gillis took home the Item/Agganis Foundation Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year award, respectively. The William F. Connell Student-Athlete of the Year award was earned by English’s Jacob Miller, Tech coach James Runner was named the Peter Gamage Coach the Year and St. Mary’s Calvin Johnson won the 2017 Edward H. Cahill Item Player of the Year Award.
Johnson, who also won the award in 2016, became just the second repeat winner, with Winthrop’s Anthony Palmer being the other. Palmer took home the award in 1992 and 1993.
This year’s all-star team included quarterbacks Colin Frary, Swampscott; Johnson, St. Mary’s; and Matt Mortellite, Lynnfield; running backs Keoni Gaskin, Lynn Tech; Vinnie Gaskins, Salem; Gravely, Lynn Tech; and Aise Pream, St. John’s Prep.
Also, receivers Nashaun Butler, Classical, Prince Brown, English; and Nick Kinnon, Lynnfield; and linemen Andy Clough, Marblehead Pat Henry, St. Mary’s and Miller, English.
Also, defensive linemen Edeh Ballo, Revere; Howie Burns, Malden Catholic; Chris Fisher, Bishop Fenwick; and Gillis, Marblehead; linebackers Eric DeMayo, Marblehead; Derek Marino, Marblehead; Ricky Martinez, Saugus; and Emerson Ramirez, Lynn Tech; and defensive backs Isaiah Bascon, Swampscott; James Brumfield, St. Mary’s; Chase Buono, Classical, and Matt Severance, English.
