Senior linebacker and offensive lineman Damon Lloyd received the Gerry Gray Award on Jan. 17. This award is given to the player with the most leadership and passion for the game, according to Lloyd and the award comes with a $1,000 scholarship.

For Lloyd, winning the Gerry Gray Award was a dream he had worked toward ever since freshman year. “I wanted to be one of those names on the plaque out front of the gym. So I worked my hardest to accomplish that, and now, my hard work is paying off,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd’s teammates and coaches confirmed his work ethic. “Every day I’m working out he’s right there with me. He’s never missed a workout or a practice,” senior quarterback Kurt Rawlings said.

“Damon has a great work ethic. He was the leader of our defense. He pushes those around him as well,” head coach Keith Rawlings said.

Lloyd played both offense and defense, starting at left guard on the offensive line and inside linebacker on defense. “He is a solid two-way player, which is very hard to find these days. Being on the ‘O-Line,’ he was a main part of our great offense, and he led the state in tackles on defense,” Keith Rawlings said.

Lloyd’s leadership was key to the team as well. “He’s caring and a good leader, but he’ll put you in your place. He’ll let you know what to do better,” Kurt Rawlings said. “Without him we wouldn’t have gone 12-0.”

For Lloyd, the Gerry Gray Award was the “icing on the cake” of a successful football season, marked with a 12-0 record, an MIAA “B” Conference Championship victory, and other individual awards Lloyd won this year. “Even though I received many other awards during the season, this was by far the biggest accomplishment,” Lloyd said.

Lloyd credited his successes to the support and reliable help of his teammates. “I honestly wish the whole group of seniors could receive this award,” Lloyd said. “[Winning the award] was because of my brothers Kurt [Rawlings], Josh [Payne-White], Ky’el [Hemby], and [Alex] Rasmussen working out with me and pushing me every day for the same goal: to win the championship undefeated.”

Lloyd committed to play football at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Jan. 30.

Daniel Robinson is a Copy Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.