NOVEMBER 25, 2015

Senior Ethan Bondurant receives Football's top honor at November 19 Awards Banquet; “Best Player” recognitions to Antonio Marchica (Offense), Mikey Maloney (Defense), Matt Sill (Special Teams)

Sixteen Falcons voted All-section; Powder Puff football game, Thursday, Dec. 3
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CSHS – November 23. In the Cactus Shadows athletic world, for whatever Varsity and gender, there is no more positive way to punctuate a season just ended, and to optimistically look forward to the next, than a celebratory Awards Banquet. Good friends (teammates) plus good food, plus the presence of families and “special ladies” combine to create good fellowship.

Photo by Gina Brown
A berth in the State Playoffs would have made these Falcons happier; but they can be rightfully proud of their All-Selection recognition: (l-r) Sam Nolette, Carlo Paoletti, Tim Dombrowski, Logan Kloss, Tyler Caniga, Antonio Marchica, Alex Doughty, Brendon Long, Peyton Kuehn, Tyler Collins, Michael Maloney, Andrew Young, Matt Sill, Joe Emmett, Justin Intolubbe

So it was for the Football Falcons, last Thursday evening, Nov. 19, in Cactus Shadows' newly-refurbished cafeteria, the event kept convenient and affordable by its on-campus venue – as, in my opinion, an Awards banquet should be. You see, readers, Coach Michael Hudnutt “gets it.”

The good food (lots of it!) was organized and served up by a cadre of hard-working Football Moms. No one went home hungry! Thank you, ladies, for your important contribution to a most enjoyable evening.

Photo by Gina Brown
“Best Player” Awards went to (l-r) Antonio Marchica (Offense)  Michael Maloney (Defense) and Matthew Sill (Special Teams) representing an important phase of every game. The 6-4 winning Falcons were bolstered by all three.

And the “good fellowship?” Coaches Hudnutt, “P.J.” Stephens (JV) and Adrian Drew (Freshman) emceed that, introducing their respective squads and recognizing individual award winners. Consider, Falcon fans, that this Awards Banquet was the first opportunity to bring together all three squads since early Summer practice. Without Freshman Football, a player rarely makes it to the JV level, then moves up to Varsity. This past season, both Freshman and JV teams were greater in number than in any previous year. It's pretty simple, folks: for Varsity football to grow and remain competetive, so, too, must the intra-family “farm-system,” which most definitely includes Cave Creek Youth football, in vibrant operation since 2002. “All of the above,” Coach Hudnutt “gets,” too.

He presented the evening's top honor, the Falcon Character Award, to senior Ethan Bondurant, son of James Bondurant and Sharon Bondurant, both of Cave Creek. Coach Hudnutt praised, “Whatever we needed – and whenever we needed it, Ethan was first to step into our huddle and take on the assignment. He always put 'team' before 'self.' To Ethan Bondurant and his award-winning teammates, “Well done!”

Photo by Gina Brown
“Falcon Character Award” winner, senior Ethan Bondurant, is congratulated by his proud parents James Bondurant and Sharon Bondurant both of Cave Creek. Stepmother, Anita Martin was an enthusiastic supporter too!

For the other award winners, please see photographs accompanying this article. They were helpfully taken by Ms. Gina Brown, herself twice a Falcon Mom (senior Taylor, Varsity Cheer, and sophomore Tommy, JV Football.) I join Coach Hudnutt in thanking Gina Brown for her support of Falcon Football. Most readers are aware that she also took the individual photos that complemented last August's Senior Profiles.

I'll “see” readers again after CSHS Student Council's Powder Puff Football Game, Thursday, Dec. 3 at Falcon Stadium. It's a student-popular “spirit” event for a most worthy cause, supporting the Susan G. Komen Foundation against breast cancer.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

~ Pete Mohr