Holmdel Football Player Chris Marciano Receives Lombardi Award

Holmdel senior Chris Marciano was this year’s recipient of the prestigious Lombardi Award for the Hornets, but you wouldn’t know it unless you asked around.

“He’s so excited to win this because he’s such a selfless guy, and he doesn’t look for attention,’’ said Holmdel Football Coach Frank Papalia. “You wouldn’t even know he’s on the team if you’re in the school because he’s so quiet. No one would know he won this award if we didn’t announce it.’’

On March 3, at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel, Marciano’s name was announced along with the other 26 linemen from Monmouth County who were their team’s respective recipients. Now in its 39th year, the Lombardi Awards recognize one senior lineman from each team who is selected by his coaches on the criteria of discipline, endurance, desire, ability and performance along with their reflection of the ideals of legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi.

The awards are sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Monmouth County and the Center for Vocational Rehabilitation. Thursday’s event also included three guest speakers, Monmouth University Head Football Coach Kevin Callahan, Rutgers Offensive Line Coach Kyle Flood, and Keith Baldwin, a former defensive end for the Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers.

Marciano was a three-year starter for the Hornets and a standout defensive end who was an All-Class A Central selection by the coaches this past fall. He also was the starting left tackle for a team that revamped its offense during the offseason and dramatically improved in that department behind standout quarterback Mike Cantelli.

The Lombardi Award for each team is voted on by that team’s respective coaching staff, which made it a particular honor for Marciano.

“I was shocked to win it because we have a great group of guys and our coach could’ve picked from any of our senior linemen,’’ Marciano said. “It feels good to get recognized. It’s very humbling.’’

Marciano received the “Block of Granite’’ trophy that goes to each recipient and symbolizes the famous 1936 “Seven Blocks of Granite’’ offensive line at Fordham University, where Lombardi was the starting right guard. The awards also recognize an often unheralded group of players, as linemen usually operate outside of the media and fan spotlight in the trenches every game.

“Especially at our place because everybody is skill, skill, skill, and there’s not big kids in our school,’’ Papalia said. “Chris is not a big kid, he’s more of a basketball player, but he’s still one of our quote-unquote ‘hogs’ out there on the line.’’

It also marked the final chapter of Marciano’s football career, as he said he will not be playing in college and has not yet decided on where he will attend as a student.

“I’m going to miss it,’’ he said. “I will look back with a lot of memories because it was a great group of guys.’’