Yukica chapter will honor 17
Following is a list of the 17 athletes who earned Scholar-Athletes Awards, which are presented by the Joe Yukica New Hampshire Chapter of the National Football Foundation. Each player will be honored May 5, during a dinner that will be held at the Executive Court Banquet Facility in Manchester.
2009 Scholar-Athlete Awards Recipients:
Christian Birt - Laconia (running back): A three-year All-State selection, Birt ran for 1,131 yards and scored 24 touchdowns during his senior season. He scored 52 career touchdowns. An Honor Roll student, and NHIAA Scholar Athlete, Birt was also a member of his school's basketball and track teams. A highly recruited athlete, Birt accepted a football scholarship to play at the University of Massachusetts this fall. Prior to that, he will be a member of the New Hampshire Shrine team this summer.
Beau Breton - Manchester West (quarterback, safety and punter): A two way starter, Breton also averaged over 33 yards a kick as the team's punter this season. He had a long punt of 52 yards. He was a First Team All-State selection his senior year. A member of the National Honor Society, Breton has made High Honor Roll his entire high school career, and still found time to volunteer at the soup kitchen, in the 2008 primaries and as a peer tutor.
Sean Coughlin - Nashua North (running back and linebacker): On offense, Coughlin posted 1,085 total yards, including 830 rushing yards. On defense, he led the team in tackles and forced fumbles. He's a three-sport athlete who also participates in football, wrestling and baseball, and is captain of all three teams. Coughlin is an honor student interested in pursuing a career in business, and has become very active in the Future Business Leaders of America.
Kyle Duca - Bishop Brady (guard and tackle): A hard-nosed lineman, Duca helped lead Bishop Brady's strong running attack, while on defense, he posted 18 solo tackles and seven tackles for a loss. He was named to the Division V First Team All-State team. Ranked fifth in his class of nearly 100 students, Duca also enjoys music. He studied piano for seven years, studied Euphonium brass for six years, and was self-taught in guitar and mandolin.
Kyle Endyke - Bishop Guertin High (guard and tackle): Endyke's versatility runs from being captain of Bishop Guertin's football team to being President of the National Honor Society. One of the state's top linemen, Endyke has been selected to play for the Shrine team this summer. He's President of the Varsity Club, a class representative to the Student Council and a member of the Campus Ministry Council. He also has a black belt in Tai Kwan Do.
Tom Foote - Goffstown High (guard and tackle): This is our year for outstanding linemen and Tom is no exception. A four-year starter and three year All-State selection, Foote is Goffstown's all-time leader in tackles and sacks. In addition to football, Foote also shines on the wrestling mats, and became Goffstown first individual state champion as a junior. He's been a member of the National Honor Society in both his junior and senior years. He was selected to play for the New Hampshire Shrine team this summer.
Chad Hauser - Somersworth (tackle): Another strong lineman who was a Division V First Team All-State selection. As a defensive tackle, Hauser posted 23 tackles and six of them for losses. A member of the National Technical Honor Society, he has taken many honors classes in math, biology, physics and English. Hauser has also dabbled in
music, taking lessons for drums, trumpet and electric guitar. Volunteer service has included working for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Gallagher Hogan - Portsmouth (running back and linebacker): Hogan has been team captain, team MVP, a Division III First Team All-State selection and will represent New Hampshire in the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl this summer. Last season he ran for 950 yards and 10 touchdowns. An Honor Roll student every quarter of his high school years, he has also volunteered as a member of the Peer Leadership community service group and the Amigos elementary school after-school program.
Matt King - Laconia (wide receiver and cornerback): King posted great numbers on both sides of the ball. As a receiver he made 17 catches for 360 yards and six touchdowns, while on defense, his 76 tackles included six for a loss. He also had two interceptions. He was the team's captain, and a First Team All-State selection in each of the past two years. An Honor Roll student, King was also selected as an NHIAA Scholar Athlete.
Andrew Kukesh - Exeter (quarterback and safety): An outstanding two-way player, Kukesh was a Division II First Team All-State selection has a junior and senior. As a quarterback, he rushed for 575 yards and threw for nine touchdowns. Defensively he posted 40 tackles and five interceptions. He's been captain of both his football and hockey teams. An Honor roll student for eight semesters, he is also a member of Exeter's Captain's Club. He will represent New Hampshire on the Shrine team this summer.
Seamus O'Neill - Manchester Central (offensive and defensive tackle): Nearly 85 percent of Central's running plays went behind the blocking of O'Neill, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound tackle. He didn't allow a quarterback during his senior season. He has been an editor for the school's newspaper for three years. He was a Division I First Team All-State selection who will be on the Shrine team this summer. O'Neill has accepted a full scholarship to UNH where he will play football beginning this fall.
Joshua Nitso - Londonderry (tackle and nose guard): Another First Team All-State defensive lineman. Nitso was named Londonderry's Defensive Player of the Year and received the school's "Hammer Award" given to the individual who records the most tackles. He is a member of his school's marching and concert bands where he serves as First Chair saxophonist. He will be a member of New Hampshire's Shrine team in August.
Jharid Pratt - Salem (guard and linebacker): A First Team All-State linebacker, Pratt helped plug the off-tackle hole and produced 102 tackles, 72 of which were unassisted. He's a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society and has posted a perfect attendance for four years. He holds a black belt in Kenpo Karate and has earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
Josh Rogalski - Nashua South (offensive/defensive lineman): Rogalski was a four-year varsity letter-winner and a three-year starter. He was Captain of this year's Division I championship team, and was named to the First Team All-State team. Ranked in the top four percent of his class of 500-plus students, Rogalski has been an A student for four years. A National Honor Society member, he also does volunteer work for a number of organizations.
Jeff Solomon - Exeter (center and defensive tackle): A tough, hard-nosed football player, Solomon was been a three-year starter who played in three state championship games. Ranked No. 3 in his class of 380 students, Solomon has been on the High Honor Roll for four years and received straight As for four years. Awards include the Harvard Book Award, the RPI Award and a New Hampshire Teachers of Mathematics Award. He does Spanish tutoring and plays drums for an independent band.
Kyle Underwood - Plymouth (end, safety and kicker): Underwood has been an All-State kicker for two consecutive years. He made a 47-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining beat to beat Souhegan as a junior, and made two field goals in the state championship game. He also had three interceptions in that game, plus a 55-yard punt. Underwood, who has a perfect-attendance record, is the Francis Wayland Parker Scholar Recipient as well as a member of the National Honor Society.
Andrew Vailas - Bishop Guertin (quarterback and safety): BG coach Tony Johnson said Vailas is one of the best athletes he's ever coached. Vailas is a Division II All-State quarterback who had more than 1,200 yards rushing and 400 yards passing last season. He also intercepted 10 passes last season. He will be a member of the New Hampshire Shrine team this summer.



