The MacArthur High School Generals football team was well represented at the 45th annual Nassau County High School Football Coaches Association Gridiron Banquet held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
For the Conference I Generals, senior Tommy Joyce and junior Brett Ellers were the anchors of their offense and defense as running backs and linebackers, respectively.
Each received All-County honors and were joined by fellow running back, Nick Meadows and quarterback, Kevin Monahan, who received All-Conference awards.
Joyce, a 5’11 and 200 lb. co-captain, finished his three-year MacArthur varsity career with a team-leading 90 tackles and four sacks at the linebacker position. As a main cog in the backfield, he rushed for 372 yards on 47 carries and scored seven touchdowns. “Tommy is one of the most instinctive linebackers ever to play at MacArthur”, said head coach, Bobby Fehrenbach. Joyce now places third on the Generals’ all-time career tackle list.
At 5’7 and 150 lbs., Ellers finished his second year under Fehrenbach’s command. As a sophomore, he began the season as a starting defensive back but was switched to the backfield and wound up leading the team in rushing. In 2010, he built on that foundation with a team leading 665 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Defensively, Ellers had 39 tackles, one sack and three interceptions, including one that was returned for a score. Said Fehrenbach, “Brett is one of the toughest and most determined players I have ever coached.”
At the end of the evening’s ceremonies, Tommy Joyce was announced as the recipient of the prestigious Tom Thorp Memorial Award. The award has been given to the player selected as the “most outstanding in Nassau County” since 1942. Joyce is the second MacArthur General to receive the award. Gian Villante won the honor in 2002.
