(West Virginia high school football player of the year)
The Kennedy Award is named for Wheeling native Harrison H. Kennedy, one of the main figures at New York’s Downtown Athletic Club who served as chairman of the Heisman Award Committee. Until 1954, Kennedy Award winners were invited to the Heisman Award presentation, after which the Kennedy Award is modeled. The Kennedy Award is voted on by the WVSWA and is awarded to the state’s top high school football player. For more on the Kennedy Award, go to www.kennedyaward.com.
Note: All seniors unless noted
2023 – Dom Collins, Princeton
2022 – Judah Price, Independence
2021 – Atticus Goodson, Independence
2020 – Blake Hartman, Musselman
2019 – Ethan Payne, jr., Poca
2018 – Connor Neal, QB, Fairmont Senior
2017 – Latrell “Mookie” Collier, RB, Bluefield
2016 – Jeremy Dillon, jr., QB, Mingo Central
2015 – TyRhee Pratt, QB, Capital (UNC-Charlotte)
2014 – Kashuan Haley, RB-LB, Capital (Lackawanna, NY, junior college)
2013 – Jamie “Chazzy” Thomas, RB, Morgantown (Fairmont State)
2012 – Ryan Switzer, RB-KR, George Washington (North Carolina)
2011 – Ryan Switzer, jr., RB-KR, George Washington
2010 – Justin Fox, QB, Magnolia (WVU baseball)
2009 – Tyler Harris, jr., QB, South Charleston (Shepherd)
2008 – Will Cole, QB, Bluefield (Virginia Tech)
2007 – Jordan Roberts, RB, Scott (West Virginia, Charleston)
2006 – Kyle Allard, QB, Fairmont Senior (W.Va. Wesleyan)
2005 – Josh Culbertson, RB, Nitro (Charleston)
2004 – Nate Sowers, QB-DB, Martinsburg (WVU)
2003 – Brandon Barrett, WR-DB, Martinsburg (WVU)
2002 – Brandon Barrett, jr., WR-DB, Martinsburg
2001 – Marc Kimes, QB-DB-P, Parkersburg (W.Va. Wesleyan)
2000 – Mark Wigal, RB, Morgantown (Duke)
1999 – Todd Mosby, QB-DB-LB, Musselman (WVU)
1998 – (tie) J. R. House, QB, Nitro; (pro baseball, WVU); Quincy Wilson, RB, Weir (WVU)
1997 – Chris Yura, jr., RB, Morgantown (Notre Dame)
1996 – J. R. House, so., QB, Nitro
1995 – Frank Aliveto, RB-LB, Hedgesville (West Virginia)
1994 – Randy Moss, WR-DB. DuPont (Marshall)
1993 – Mark Cisar, QB-DB-PK-P, Magnolia (Charleston, S.C., baseball)
1992 – Mark Cisar, jr., QB-DB-PK-P, Magnolia
1991 – Daryl “Boogie” Johnson, RB, Wheeling Park (Oklahoma State)
1990 – Eric McGhee, RB-DB, Wheeling Central (Bowling Green)
1989 – David Mayfield, DB-RB, Morgantown (West Virginia)
1988 – Keith Jeter, RB-DB, Weir; (Tennessee)
1987 – Jed Drenning, QB, Tucker County (Samford, Glenville)
1986 – Jeff Swisher, RB, Sistersville (Glenville)
1985 – Ted Kester, LB-RB, Winfield (WVU)
1984 – Joel Wilson, RB, Sistersville (Ball State, Glenville)
1983 – Tony Johnson, RB, Morgantown (West Virginia)
1982 – Brad King, RB, North Marion (WVU)
1981 – John Koontz, RB, Petersburg (WVU)
1980 – David Bayer, RB, George Washington (Richmond)
1979 – Tim Stephens, QB, Parkersburg South (Ohio State)
1978 – Curt Warner, RB, Pineville (Penn State)
1977 – Mike Estes, QB, George Washington (W.Va. Tech)
1976 – Robert Alexander, RB, South Charleston (WVU)
1975 – Robert Alexander, jr., RB, South Charleston (WVU)
1974 – Robin Lyons, RB, Herbert Hoover (WVU)
1973 – Danny Williams, QB, DuPont (WVU)
1972 – Danny Williams, jr., QB, DuPont (WVU)
1971 – Rick Petty, RB, Williamstown (Kentucky)
1970 – Rick Hurt, QB, Charleston (Cincinnati)
1969 – Kerry Marbury, RB, Monongah (WVU)
1968 – David Morris, RB-DB, Wayne (WVU)
1966-67 – no award
1965 – Melvin Walker, QB, Dunbar (Wisconsin)
1964 – Frank Criniti, RB, Charleston Catholic (Notre Dame)
1963 – Jim Smithberger, RB-DB, Welch (Notre Dame)
1962 – Joe White, QB, Charleston Catholic (N.C. State)
1961 – Paul Allen, RB, Huntington
1960 – Bob Kelley, jr., RB, Weir (Cameron, Okla., junior college)
1959 – Fred Colvard, QB, Logan (WVU)
1958 – Larry Drake, RB, Fairmont Senior (Grambling)
1957 – Jim Bargeloh, RB, Parkersburg (WVU)
1956 – Johnny Frye, QB, Huntington East (Duke basketball)
1955 – Ronald “Tags” Meredith, QB, St. Albans (Marshall)
1954 – Noel Whipkey, RB, Charleston (WVU)
1953 – Bob Barrett, RB, Barboursville (South Carolina)
1952 – Don Griffith, QB-DB-P, Stonewall Jackson
1951 – Dale Boyd, QB, Huntington Vinson (Duke)
1950 – Jim Early, RB, Parkersburg (Tulsa)
1949 – Henry “Hoppy” Shores, RB, Stonewall Jackson (WVU track)
1948 – Randy Broyles, RB, Woodrow Wilson; (Marshall)
1947 – Darrell “Pat” Shires, jr., RB, Hinton (Tennessee)
Vote order
The Kennedy Award is West Virginia’s high school version of the Heisman Trophy, college football’s most prestigious honor. The Kennedy Award was the brainchild of Wheeling native Harrison H. Kennedy, who made his fortune on New York’s Wall Street and became a member of the Downtown Athletic Club, the sponsor of the Heisman Trophy. Kennedy proposed the idea of sponsoring – through his estate with WesBanco, a state High School Football Player of the Year award to the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. It was called, for the first few years, the Heisman Trophy for Outstanding Football Player in West Virginia. However, the WVSWA named it for the originator, Mr. Kennedy, who had attended many banquets and presented the award before his death on Aug. 3, 1963. There have been only four state chairmen for the Kennedy Award selection: John B. Reynolds of Wheeling (1947-52), John T. Gellner of Charleston (1953-59), A.L. “Shorty” Hardman of Charleston (1960-91), and Doug Huff of Wheeling (1992-present).
The voting order:
2023
1. Dom Collins, Princeton
2. Murphy Clement, Martinsburg
3. Matt Frye, Scott
4. Maxwell Molessa
5. Gage Wright, Parkersburg South
6. Rashad Reid, Martinsburg
7. Josh Moody, Nitro
8. Dylan Ours, Fairmont Senior
2022
1. Judah Price, Independence
2. Gavin Lochow, Huntington
3. Ezra Bagent, Martinsburg
4. Robert Shockey, Parkersburg South
5. Brett Phillips, Wheeling Park
6. Mondrell Dean, Hurricane
7. Gage Wright, Parkersburg South
2021
1. Atticus Goodson, Independence
2021
1. Atticus Goodson, Independence
2. Gavin Lochow, Huntington
3. Hudson Clement, Martinsburg
4. Noah Waynick, Huntington
5. Ty Bartrum, Spring Valley
6. Jeremiah King, Robert C. Byrd
7. Gavin Barkley, Berkeley Springs
8. Murphy Clement, Martinsburg
2020
1. Blake Hartman, Musselman
2. Gage Michael, Fairmont Senior
3. Hunter Patterson, Oak Glen
4. Trey Dunn, South Charleston’
5. Keon Padmore-Johnson, Spring Mills
6. Jakob Caudill, Cabell Midland
(tie) Ethan Payne, Poca
2019
1. Ethan Payne, Poca
2. Brandon Penn, Parkersburg South
3. Jarod Bowie, Martinsburg
4. Blake Hartman, Musselman
5. Hunter America, Doddridge County
6. Gage Michael, Fairmont Senior
7. Elijah Banks, Martinsburg
(tie) J.J. Davis, Bluefield
(tie) Alex Dunlevy, Wheeling Park
(tie) J.J. Roberts, Cabell Midland
2018
1. Connor Neal, QB, Fairmont Senior
2. Graeson Malashevich, WR-DB, Spring Valley
3. Hunter America, jr., RB, Doddridge County
4. Kerry Martin jr., QB-DB, Capital
2017
1. Latrell “Mookie” Collier, RB-DB, Bluefield
2. Jeremy Dillon, QB, Mingo Central
3. Tyson Bagent, QB, Martinsburg
4. Jadon Hayes, RB-DB, Huntington
2016
1. Jeremy Dillon, jr., QB, Mingo Central
2. Corey McDonald, QB, East Hardy
3. Tyson Bagent, jr., QB, Martinsburg
2015
1. TyRhee Pratt, QB, Capital
2. Cody Mitchell, RB, Pt. Pleasant
3. Elijah Bell, WR-DB, Wheeling Park
2014
1. Kashuan Haley, RB, Capital
2. Kentre Grier, QB, South Charleston
3. Justin Cogar, RB-DB, Westside
2013
1. Jamie “Chazzy” Thomas, RB, Morgantown
2T. Ross Comis, QB-DB, Weirton Madonna
2T. Malique Watkins, QB, Martinsburg
2012
1. Ryan Switzer, RB-DB-KR-P, George Washington
2. Justin “Cookie” Clinton, QB, Martinsburg
3. Brandon Spurlock, RB, Wayne
2011
1. Ryan Switzer, jr., RB-DB-KR-P, George Washington
2. Brandon Ashenfelter, QB, Martinsburg
3. Kollin Foltz, QB, East Hardy
2010
1. Justin Fox, QB-DB, Magnolia
2. Tyler Harris, QB, South Charleston
3T. Keion Wright, RB, Capital
3T. Joey Musick, RB, Morgantown
2009
1. Tyler Harris, jr., QB, South Charleston
2. Allan Wasonga, jr., RB, Parkersburg
3. Cotey Wallace, QB, Brooke
2008
1. Will Cole, QB, Bluefield
2. Aaron Dobson, WR-DB, South Charleston
3. Terrell Martin, RB, Hurricane
2007
1. Jordan Roberts, RB, Scott
2. Matt Lindamood, RB, Parkersburg
3. Mike Scott, QB, Nitro
2006
1. Kyle Allard, QB, Fairmont Senior
2. B.J. Evans, RB, Tolsia
3. Josh Twyman, RB, Martinsburg
2005
1. Josh Culbertson, RB-DB, Nitro
2. Chris Fulmer, WR-DB, Nitro
3. D.J. Taylor, RB, Herbert Hoover
2004
1. Nate Sowers, QB-DB, Martinsburg
2. Spencer Farley, RB-DB, Morgantown
3. Josh Culbertson, jr., RB-DB, Nitro
2003
1. Brandon Barrett, WR-DB, Martinsburg
2. Nate Sowers, jr., QB-DB, Martinsburg
3. Matt Santmyer, RB, Poca
2002
1. Brandon Barrett, jr., WR-DB, Martinsburg
2. Geremy Rodamer, RB, Morgantown
3. Matt Shamblin, FB, Parkersburg South
2001
1. Marc Kimes, QB, Parkersburg
2. James Tunstalle, RB, Wyoming East
3. Calvin Joplin, RB, Matewan
2000
1. Mark Wigal, RB-DB, Morgantown
2. James Tunstalle, jr., RB, Wyoming East
3. Josh Romeo, RB, Parkersburg
1999
1. Todd Mosby, RB-DB, Musselman
2. Darrion Scott, FB-LB, Capital
3. Ben Thornton, RB, James Monroe
1998
1. J.R. House, QB, Nitro
(tie) Quincy Wilson, RB-DB, Weir
3. Chris Yura, RB, Morgantown
1997
1. Chris Yura, jr., RB, Morgantown
2. Ed Drummond, RB-DB-KR, Linsly
3. J.R. House, jr., QB, Nitro
4. Quincy Wilson, jr., RB-DB, Weir
1996
1. J.R. House, so., QB, Nitro
2. Yubrenal Isabelle, FB-LB, Bluefield
3. Willie Hampton, LB, Capital
1995
1. Frank Aliveto, RB, Hedgesville
2. Nathan Kirby, LB, Parkersburg
3. Chris Donough, RB, Herbert Hoover
(tie) Andrew Cowan, RB, Ritchie County
1994
1. Randy Moss, WR-DB-KR, DuPont
2. Danny Pratt, RB-DB, Lincoln
3. Bobbie Howard, LB-FB, DuPont
1993
1. Mark Cisar, QB-DB-P-PK, Magnolia
2. Randy Moss, jr., WR-DB-KR, DuPont
3. Mike Joseph, RB-LB, Fairmont Senior
1992
1. Mark Cisar, jr., QB-DB-P-PK, Magnolia
2. Larry McCloud, LB-RB, Buffalo Wayne
3. Kenny Fisher, WR-DB, Magnolia
4. Curtis McGhee, RB-DB-P, Wheeling Central
1991
1. Daryl “Boogie” Johnson, RB-DB, Wheeling Park
2. Melvin Cunningham, RB, Matewan
3. Aaron Cisar, QB, Magnolia
1990
1. Eric McGhee, RB-DB-KR, Wheeling Central
2. Chris Grove, LB, Woodrow Wilson
3. Chuck Wood, RB, Point Pleasant
1989
1. David Mayfield, DB-RB, Morgantown
2. Eric McGhee, jr., RB-DB-KR, Wheeling Central
3. Todd Robinson, DL, Capital
1988
1. Keith Jeter, RB, Weir
2. Bryan Fisher, LB, Lewis County
3. Rick Marshall, T, Parkersburg
1987
1. Jed Drenning, QB, Tucker County
2. Garrett Ford Jr., RB, Morgantown
3. Tom Zban, QB, Huntington East
1986
1. Jeff Swisher, RB-DB-KR, Sistersville
2. Jeff Sweitzer, QB-DB-KR, Brooke
3. Ron Stalnaker, QB, Gilmer County
1985
1. Ted Kester, LB-FB, Winfield
2. Darryl Denson, RB, Stonewall Jackson
3. Vernell “Bimbo” Coles, QB-DB, Greenbrier East
1984
1. Joel Wilson, FB-LB-P, Sistersville
2. Zippy Shearer, RB-DB, Morgantown St. Francis
3. Mike Dunlap, OL-DL, Poca
1983
1. Tony Johnson, RB, Morgantown
2. Rick Phillips, OL-DL, Parkersburg
1982
1. Brad King, RB, North Marion
2. Daniel Taylor, QB, Gilbert
3. Tim Parker, QB, Jefferson
4. Todd Morris, QB, Magnolia
1981
1. John Koontz, RB-DB-KR-PK, Petersburg
2. Brian Swisher, WB-DB-KR, Sistersville
3. Rick Toothman, RB, Fairmont Senior
1980
1. David Bayer, RB, George Washington
1979
1. Tim Stephens, QB, Parkersburg South
1978
1. Curt Warner, RB-DB-KR, Pineville
2. C.R. Howdyshell, RB, Sistersville
3. Reggie Armstead, RB-DB, Fairmont Senior
1977
1. Mike Estes, QB, George Washington
2. Mike Dawson, QB-LB, Magnolia
1976
1. Robert Alexander, RB-DB-KR, South Charleston
2. Dave Manzo, QB, Parkersburg
3. Fulton Walker, RB-DB-KR, Martinsburg
1975
1. Robert Alexander, jr., RB-DB-KR, South Charleston
2. Don Jackson, RB, Bluefield
1974
1. Robin Lyons, FB-LB, Herbert Hoover
1973
1. Danny Williams, QB, DuPont
2. Claude Geiger, RB, East Bank
3. Tom Pridemore, RB-DB, Ansted
(tie) Billy Williams, QB, George Washington
1972
1. Danny Williams, jr., QB, DuPont
2. Reggie Robinson, RB, St. Albans
(tie) Steve Stout, RB, Bridgeport
1971
1. Rick Petty, RB-DB-KR, Williamstown
2. Mark Fodor, QB, Morgantown
3. Paul Mitchell, RB, Stoco
1970
1. Rickie Hurt, QB, Charleston
2. Chuck Green, DB-RB, Charleston
1969
1. Kerry Marbury, RB-DB-KR, Monongah
1968
1. David Morris, DB-RB, Wayne
1966-67
No Award
1965
1. Melvin Walker, QB-DB, Dunbar
2. Bob Zaleski, RB, Wheeling Central
1964
1. Frank Criniti, RB-DB, Charleston Catholic
1963
1. Jim Smithberger, RB-DB, Welch
1962
1. Joe White, RB-DB, Charleston Catholic
2. Tim Carver, Bluefield
3. Bill Karbonit, Woodrow Wilson
4. Jim Perry, Logan
5. Joe Hamon, Summersville
1961
1. Paul Allen, RB, Huntington
1960
1. Bob Kelley, RB-DB-KR, Weir
1959
1. Fred Colvard, QB, Logan
1958
1. Larry Drake, RB-DB-KR, Fairmont Senior
1957
1. Jim Bargeloh, RB, Parkersburg
1956
1. Johnny Frye, RB, Huntington East
1955
1. Ronald “Tags” Meredith, QB, St. Albans
1954
1. Noel Whipkey, FB-LB, Charleston
1953
1. Bob Barrett, RB, Barboursville
1952
1. Don Griffith, QB, Stonewall Jackson
1951
1. Dale Boyd, QB, Vinson
1950
1. Jim Earley, RB, Parkersburg
1949
1. Henry “Hoppy” Shores, RB-DB-KR, Stonewall Jackson
2. Jim Hanna, WR-DB, Weir
1948
1. Randy Broyles, RB, Woodrow Wilson
1947
1. Pat Shires, jr., RB, Hinton
Notes
1. Eleven underclassmen have won the award – all juniors except sophomore J. R. House of Nitro in 1996. Athletes who won as juniors: Pat Shires of Hinton, 1947 (1st year); Bob Kelley of Weir, 1960 (age ineligible as senior); Danny Williams of DuPont, 1972; Robert Alexander of South Charleston, 1975; Mark Cisar of Magnolia, 1992; Chris Yura of Morgantown, 1997; Brandon Barrett of Martinsburg, 2002; Tyler Harris of South Charleston, 2009; Ryan Switzer of George Washington, 2011; and Jeremy Dillon of Mingo Central, 2016.
2. Two-time winners are Williams, Alexander, Cisar, Barrett, and Switzer.
3. African-American winners: Larry Drake of Fairmont Senior (1958), Bob Kelley (1960), Paul Allen of Huntington (1961), Melvin Walker of Dunbar (1965), Kerry Marbury of Monongah (1969), Rick Hurt of Charleston (1970), Alexander; Curt Warner of Pineville (1978), Tony Johnson of Morgantown (1983), Keith Jeter of Weir (1988), Eric McGhee of Wheeling Central (1990), Daryl “Boogie” Johnson of Wheeling Park (1991), Randy Moss of DuPont (1994), Quincy Wilson of Weir (1998) (tie), Todd Mosby of Musselman (1999), Barrett; Tyler Harris of South Charleston (2009), Jamie “Chazzy” Thomas of Morgantown (2013), Kashuan Haley of Capital (2014), TyRhee Pratt of Capital (2015), and Latrell “Mookie” Collier of Bluefield (2017).
4. Only honoree inducted into W.Va. Sports Hall of Fame is Warner, also an inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.
5. The only players to win the Hardman Award (Amateur Athlete of the Year) in the same year are Curt Warner of Pineville (1978) and J.R. House of Nitro (1998).
6. As with college football’s Heisman Trophy, most of the honorees played quarterback or running back. There are three notable Kennedy Award exceptions: two-time winners Brandon Barrett of Martinsburg (2002-03) and Randy Moss of DuPont (1996, ’98), were honored primarily as wide receivers while Ted Kester of Winfield (1985) was honored primarily as a linebacker although he also was a running back-fullback.
7. There was no award given for 1966 or 1967 because of estate problems for Harrison H. Kennedy, who passed away in 1963. He attended a few Victory Awards Dinners to present the award. When his estate, handled by WesBanco in his hometown of Wheeling, was settled, not only was the award continued but two annual monetary college scholarships have been given to Kennedy Award runners-up since 1997.
8. Mr. Kennedy was a Wall Street banker and member of the Downtown Athletic Club, the sponsor of college football’s Heisman Trophy. He eventually became Chairman of the Heisman Selection Board and wanted to start a similar award for high school athletes in his home state. For the first three years of the award, it was called the High School Heisman for W.Va., but was changed to the Kennedy Award in his honor in 1950.
9. The Kennedy Award has had just four Selection Award chairmen: John B. Reynolds of Wheeling (1947-52), John T. Gelder Jr. of Charleston (1953-59), A.L. “Shorty” Hardman of Charleston (1960-91), and Doug Huff of Wheeling (1992-present).
10. If any historical questions, or background, on the Kennedy Award are needed by the Kennedy Watch Panel, do not hesitate to contact Doug Huff at 304-233-5152 or [email protected].
11. During the 30th annual Victory Awards Dinner in Morgantown in 1976, John Dwight Kennedy, Orlando, Fla., resident, and Wheeling native, presented Kennedy Award in memory of his uncle, Harrison H. Kennedy, to South Charleston’s Robert Alexander.