By Roger Brown
nhfootballreport.com

Nashua South running back/defensive back David Zocco collected the seventh annual WGAM Mr. Football Award Tuesday night during a banquet at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manchester.

Zocco, a senior, rushed for 1,648 yards and 27 touchdowns last season, when he led the Panthers to the Division I state championship. Zocco scored five touchdowns in Nashua South's 33-32 triumph over Pinkerton Academy in the Division I championship game.

Zocco caught 15 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns, and also completed a 60-yard pass (his only attempt) for a TD during the 2008 season. On defense, he made 138 tackles and intercepted four passes.

"I feel comfortable on the offensive side of the ball, but if colleges want me to play defense I'll play either side," Zocco said.

 This year's other finalists were Steven Jellison (Souhegan), Andy Vailas (Bishop Guertin), Derek Furey (Timberlane) and Bruce Vieira (Pelham)

The award is voted on by the WGAM (AM-900 and AM-1250) Friday Night Lights staff, as well as other selected media.

"We want to go with what the defense gives us, but at the end of the day he's our guy," Nashua South coach Scott Knight said. "When the game's on the line we want the ball in his hands."

Past winners of the award are Souhegan's Jeff Farrington (2002), Plymouth's Mike Boyle (2003), Manchester Central's Dave Philistin (2004), Pinkerton Academy's John Sughrue (2005), Bishop Guertin's Mark Spinney (2006) and Londonderry's Alex Theodhosi (2007).

Zocco, a four-year varsity player, was also named New Hampshire's Gatorade Player of the Year for the 2008 season.