DREXEL HILL – Maxwell Football Club President, Ron Jaworski, announced Thursday night that Fran Walsh, a senior from Archbishop Wood high school, was recognized as the Pennsylvania Player of the Year. “I don’t even know how to put this in words. This is tremendous, the highest honor I have ever received,” said Walsh. “This means so much to me to know that everything you put in really paid off.”
Walsh becomes the first player from Archbishop Wood to win this award. He joins Brendan Nosovitch of Allentown Central Catholic as the second Pennsylvania Player of the year. “I first thank this tremendous organization, my family and friends who came out to support me, especially my mom. She has always been there for me, said Walsh.”
This took place at the Club’s 28th annual awards dinner at Drexelbrook Country Club in Drexel Hill. In addition, the Maxwell Football Club honored 51 Henry finalists with Mini-Max trophies. The Mini-Max are awarded to the region’s top senior football players. The region is made up of players from District 1,3,11,12 and Independent schools.
Fran has been a key player on the line for the Vikings through out his career. A three-year starter he helped anchor the offensive line that led Archbishop Wood to the PIAA 3A State title in 2011. They were runners-up in 2012. “He is one of the reason we were so successful,” said head football coach Steven Devlin. “He is such a great kid and I am sorry he is leaving.”
The past three years Archbishop Wood had a record of 39-5. “Wood football is everything, its my life. It’s what I have been a part of the last three years,” said Walsh. “It’s a special school and I’m so proud to be a part of it and so proud to represent it.”
Walsh was considered one of the top centers in Eastern Pennsylvania and made several first team all-star teams. He was a captain of the Wood football team. On defense he had 54 tackles, 11 for loss and three sacks from the defensive tackle position. “The younger kids look up to him,” said Devlin. “He was the first guy in the weight room and the last guy to leave practice. He is just a great role model for kids.”
Walsh also excelled in the classroom, with a 4.0 GPA in honors and AP classes. He is a member of the National
Honor Society and has scored 1840 on the SAT. His community and school involvement is extensive. Walsh offers his time as a Senior helping athletes at Archbishop Wood. He also participates as a team leader for team Walsh – National Brain Tumor Society, volunteers for Gray Nuns of the Sacred Heart and as an altar server at St. Joseph’s Prep.
Walsh will join the New Jersey winner at the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Dinner at Harrah’s in
Atlantic City on March 1st and one of them will receive the club’s highest high school honor, the Jim Henry Award, as the player of the year.
The club’s New Jersey player of the year award will be announced Sunday evening at a banquet at The Heldrich Hotel and Conference Center in New Brunswick.
The past 27 winners of the Jim Henry award will decide who wins the award.
Photo’s by: ©2013 Wendy Badman / www.photobywendy.net
4 Responses
Congratulations Franny! We are all very proud of you and couldnt be happier for you. We know your Dad would be proud!
Jay & Susan
Congratulations Fran and well deserved. Best wishes for much success in all of your future endeavors
hip, hip , hooray to a great deserving young man.
Franny has worked hard to be where he is today, never taking a day off from his training and school work, not even his birthdays and Christmas so i am thrilled that his efforts of playing football in college will be realized. GO FRAN!
There could not be a more deserving student than Fran Walsh. He is a leader at Wood and we could not be happier for him! Congrats :)!!!!