2015 Lombardi Awards Honor Monmouth County Linemen

A group of 28 linemen from Monmouth County were honored at the 43rd annual Lombardi Awards banquet in Eatontown on Wednesday night put on by the Rotary Clubs of Monmouth County.

Red Bank Catholic, which won its first NJSIAA title since 1976 this past fall, was honored as the Team of the Year, and Caseys head coach Jim Portela won the Vic Kubu Memorial Award as the Coach of the Year, named after the late Middletown North and Manasquan coaching legend. Howell's John Bartow was named the John Tuggle Award winner for his perseverance against adversity, named after the late New York Giants running back who was the last player taken in the 1983 NFL Draft and still made the team before tragically dying of cancer in 1986. Bartow is a special needs student who inspired his teammates and exemplified school spirit for the Rebels.

Shore Regional star James Bedell, who is headed to UConn as a long-snapper, was one of 28 Monmouth County linemen honored at this year's Lombardi Awards. (Photo by Sport Shots WLB)

Monmouth University head coach Kevin Callahan, former Giants punter Jeff Feagles and Rutgers defensive line coach Jim Panagos were the speakers.

The following linemen were selected by their respective head coaches to each receive Lombardi Awards at Wednesday night's even at The Sheraton in Eatontown:

Allentown - Kevin Locke

Asbury Park - Josue Williams

Colts Neck - Mike Maiello

Freehold Boro - Mitchell Johnson

Freehold Twp. - Jimmy Purcell

Holmdel - Kyle Rooney

Howell - Mike McGuinness

Keansburg - Tristan Miksza

Keyport - Dan Williams

Long Branch - Andrew Huff

Manalapan - Pete Williams

Manasquan - Craig Miller