Carlson Wins Connolly Cup

By High School Sports | December 7, 2014 9:49 pm ET

Dick Gallagher reports on the 2014 recipient of the coveted Connolly Cup, Jamestown senior, Stephen Carlson. Congratulations!

Stephen Carlson, Jamestown SR WR/LB who helped lead the Red Raiders to a state championship was selected to be the 43rd recipient of the Connolly Cup, which is awarded to the best player in WNY.

The 6’5 190lb Sr. dominated on both sides of the ball. At LB he recorded 138 tackles, 4 interceptions and 3 sacks. In the state title game he recorded 17 tackles. At WR he caught 48 passes for 883 yards and 8 TD’s.

A 3 year starter Carlson earned 1st Team All-WNY Honors at WR and should be 1st Team All-State.

Carlson is a class act, a tremendous player but also an outstanding student and leader. He was selected to the All-WNY Academic Football Team. He has a 94 GPA, is ranked 6th in his class of 308, scored 1920 on his SAT, class president, member of the national honor society, a recipient of the NYS Senate Youth Leadership Award, is team co-captain and volunteers at WCA Hospital.

Stephen Carlson was an excellent choice by the Connolly Cup Committee to be this year’s recipient of this very prestigious award.

Other finalists include:

William Burgess (LB/RB), Southpark, SR

Sam Castronova (QB/DB), Williamsville South, SR

Zak Ciezki (QB/DB), Cheektowaga, SR

Terrell Ford (RB/DB), Kenmore West, JR

Isaiah McDuffie (RB/LB), Bennett, Soph

Ryan Miller (RB), Maple Grove/Chautauqua Lake, SR

Zack Panebianco (WR/DB), Jamestown, SR

Brandon Smiley (DB/WR), Sweet Home, SR

Mitch Thomas (RB/DB), Canisius, SR

Previous Connolly Cup Recipients from Jamestown include: