Simone Awards

2023 Simone Awards

Thomas A. Simone Memorial Football Awards are presented to the most outstanding players in Greater Kansas City.

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The 2024 Thomas A. Simone Awards celebrated high school football talent in the Kansas City area, with top athletes receiving honors across multiple categories. Here's the recap of the full event and award winners that took place on December 10th at Liberty High School.
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<a title="Simone Award Winner" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-4-2025/2024_simone_award_winner__jaxon_hicks">Thomas A. Simone Award</a> Awarded to the most outstanding high school football player in the Kansas City metropolitan area, this year's honor went to:
<ul>
<li>WINNER: Jaxon Hicks, Senior Running Back, Liberty High School</li>
</ul>
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<a title="Frank Fontana Award" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-4-2025/2024_frank_fontana_award_winner__kobe_westphal">Frank Fontana Award</a> Recognizing the most outstanding player at smaller high schools in the area, the finalists included:
<ul>
<li>Carter Temple, Sophomore Quarterback, Kearney</li>
<li>WINNER: Kobe Westphal, Senior Quarterback, Warrensburg</li>
<li>Jordan Haley, Senior Quarterback, Braymer</li>
<li>Marco Rodriguez, Senior Quarterback, Bishop Miege</li>
</ul>
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<a title="Buck Buchanan Award" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-4-2025/2024_buck_buchanan_award_winner__jayden_woods">Buck Buchanan Award</a> Honoring the best linebacker, defensive, or offensive lineman, the finalists were:
<ul>
<li>WINNER: Jayden Woods, Senior LB/DE, Mill Valley</li>
<li>Andrew Babalola, Senior Offensive Lineman, Blue Valley Northwest</li>
<li>Anthony Thompson, Senior Linebacker, Fort Osage</li>
<li>Dawson Merrit, Senior Linebacker, Blue Valley</li>
</ul>
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<a title="Bobby Bell Award" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-5-2025/2024_bobby_bell_award_winner__ashton_moore">Bobby Bell Award</a> Recognizing small-school linebacker, and defensive, or offensive linemen, the finalists included:
<ul>
<li>WINNER: Ashton Moore, Senior Linebacker, Louisburg</li>
<li>Bo Smith, Senior OL/DL, Chillicothe</li>
<li>Finn Cusick, Senior Defensive End, Bishop Miege</li>
<li>Theo Grace, Senior Linebacker, Kearney</li>
</ul>
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<a title="Otis Taylor Award 2024" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-5-2025/2024_otis_taylor_award_winner__isaiah_mozee">Otis Taylor Award</a> Honoring the best wide receiver or tight end in the Kansas City area, the finalists were:
<ul>
<li>Larry Porter, Senior Wide Receiver, Raytown</li>
<li>Karsten Fiene, Junior Wide Receiver, Lee&rsquo;s Summit</li>
<li>WINNER: Isaiah Mozee, Senior Wide Receiver, Lee&rsquo;s Summit North</li>
<li>Quin Myers, Senior Wide Receiver, Blue Valley West</li>
</ul>
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73 athletes were named to the All-Simone Team, remembering the late Tommy Simone who wore the #73 on the field. You can find the list of those athletes <a title="All-Simone Team" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-5-2025/2024_all-simone_team_announced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.&nbsp;
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<a title="Nathan Stiles Winner" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-5-2025/2024_nathan_stiles_award_winner__annalise_anderson">Nathan Stiles Award</a>&nbsp;was awarded to Anna Anderson, A kicker and wide receiver for Park Hill High School, who built a remarkable career in her time at Park Hill. Known for her strong leadership skills and dedication, Anna was a stellar kicker and the first female to ever receive a varsity letter in football at Park Hill. She also excels on the basketball court leading her team. Whether through achievements in athletics or serving the community, Anna demonstrates a commitment to excellence and continuous growth, inspiring others along the way. she was recognized as academic all state and is the first KC-area female to make the 18-man roster for the 2024 17U Girls National Team. We are honored to recognize Anna as the 2024 winner of the Nathan Stiles Memorial Award. She continues to inspire girls everywhere with her ambition, drive, and success, which is why she was selected as the winner of the Nathan Stiles Award.
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The Kansas City Chiefs announced the winner of the <a title="Coach of the Year Award" href="https://thesimoneawards.com/1-5-2025/2024_chiefs_eric_driskell_high_school_head_coach_of_the_year__chad_frigon">Eric Driskell Coach of the Year Award</a>, Chad Frigon of Liberty High School. &nbsp;In his 14th year of coaching, Chad Frigon was recognized in week 10 as the Coach of the Week honoree. His team, the Liberty Blue Jays, finished 9-4, earning their first district title since 2005 and advancing to the Class 6 semifinals, where they came up short.&nbsp;He has an overall school record of 87-64, starting as the freshman football coach and then serving as varsity assistant football coach for 13 years before taking his head coaching job.
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This year, we changed the selection process to balance the voting of nominees and winners. The recipients of all of these prestigious awards were selected by a vote of the high school football coaches and select media members in the metropolitan area.&nbsp;
We are incredibly honored to be able to recognize these elite athletes from programs all over the Kansas City Metro area, across Kansas and Missouri. These annual awards highlight the exceptional talent of high school football players, celebrating their achievements both on and off the field.
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The 2024 Thomas A. Simone Awards celebrated the top high school football talent in the Kansas City area, with standout athletes receiving honors across multiple categories.

2024 Thomas A. Simone Awards Ceremony Recap

The All-Simone team recognizes the top 73 players in the Kansas City Metro area at every position. The #73 represents the number worn on the jersey of the late Tommy Simone. The members of the 2024 Thomas A. Simone Team are as follows:&nbsp;
Ayden Wilhelm QB- Blue Springs South
Tate Nagy QB- Blue Valley West
Banks Bowen QB- Lawrence
Zane Thomas QB- Park Hill
Rocco Marriott QB- Platte County
Bravin Powell QB- Gardner Edgerton
Jordan Haley QB- Braymer
Kobe Westphal QB- Warrensburg
Josh Stahl QB- Pembroke Hill
Marco Rodriguez QB- Bishop Miege
Carson Dixon QB- Basehor-Linwood
Carter Temple QB- Kearney
Jaxon Pollard RB/DB- Lansing
Jaxon Hicks RB- Liberty
Calin Arndt RB, St. Thomas Aquinas
Reggie Reece RB- Mill Valley
Luis Tellado RB- St. Michael the Archangel
Travon Pankey RB- Oak Park
Larry Porter WR- Raytown
Shawn Bridgewater WR- Central High School
Ashaun Moore LB Lincoln College Prep Academy
Isaiah Mozee WR- Lee's Summit North
Josiah Stigger WR- Pembroke Hill
Myles Vohs WR- Louisburg
Grant Noland WR/DB- Kearney
Andy Watts WR- Mill Valley
Karsten Fiene WR- Lee's Summit High School
Peyton Hatfield WR- Lee's Summit High School
Tommy Hutsler WR- St Pius X
Braylon Agee WR- Park Hill
Dante Dixon WR- Park Hill
Quin Myers WR- Blue Valley West
Sam Niesen WR- St. James
Trevor Garlington WR- BV Northwest
Tres Baskerville WR- Platte County
Drew Clemons TE- Oak Park
Andrew Babalola OL- Blue Valley NW
Brock Heath OL- Blue Valley NW
Motie Williams OL/DL- Liberty North
Trevor Bindel OL- Liberty
Juju Marks OL- Olathe South
Bo Smith OL/DL- Chillicothe MO
Joe Schranz OL- Kearney
Kolby Harris OL- Smithville
Kyler Kuhn OL- St. Pius X
Dom Bruce OL- Blue Springs South
Ka'Mori Moore DL- Lee's Summit North
Cru Huenfeld DE- St. Thomas Aquinas
Isaiah Hung DE- Liberty
Ronelle Johnson DL- Blue Springs
Charlie Woleben DL- De Soto
Finn Cusick DE- Bishop Miege
Dawson Merrit LB- Blue Valley
Jayden Woods DE/LB- Mill Valley
Maguire Richman LB- Blue Valley
Anthony Thompson LB- Fort Osage
Jeb Koetting LB- Rockhurst
Carl Molle LB- St. Pius X
Armon Canada LB- KIPP Legacy HS
Gage Bowland LB- Savannah HS
Landon Noland LB- Savannah HS
Ashton Moore LB- Louisburg HS
Ryan Munsterman LB- Warrensburg
Garrett Pierce LB- Basehor-Linwood
Dane Ferrel LB/OL- Pleasant Hill
Xavier May LB- Pembroke Hill
Theo Grace LB- Kearney
Haze Middleton LB- Smithville
DeAngelo Baylis Ath/DB/Ret- KIPP Legacy HS
RJ Collins DB- Staley High School
Brady Roe FS- Pleasant Hill
Isaac McIntosh DB- Lee's Summit North
Wyatt Flood DB- Olathe North
Congratulations to these athletes on their outstanding performances this season.&nbsp;

The All-Simone team recognizes the top 73 players in the Kansas City Metro area at every position.

2024 All-Simone Team Announced

This award is presented annually to the most outstanding high school football player in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The award was originally established in 1932 in the name of Dr. D. M. Nigro and continued until Dr. Nigro&rsquo;s death in 1976.
<h2 class="p3">The History of the Award</h2>
No award was given from 1976-83 until Mr. &amp; Mrs Anthony Simone, as a tribute to their 12-year-old son Tommy, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in April of 1983, reinstated the award.
The recipient of this prestigious award is selected by a vote of the high school football coaches and select media members. The award is given to the football player who best represents excellence on the playing field. The trophy presented today symbolizes the qualities of love, courage, and friendship- the qualities young Tommy so aptly displayed.
Along with the trophy, which resides at the recipient's high school for one year, the Simone-Fontana Foundation presents a donation of $1,500 to the athletic department of the recipient&rsquo;s high school.
<h3 class="p1">And the winner of the 2024 Thomas A. Simone Award is Jaxon Hicks, Senior RB, Liberty High School</h3>
Jaxon Hicks, a senior at Liberty High School, had an incredible season, leading his team to the state semifinals. Jaxon finished the year as the leading rusher in Missouri with 2,700+ yards and 31 touchdowns, securing his place as the top high school athlete. He is the first running back to win the award since 2019.
<h2 class="p3"> The Finalists</h2>
Five players were named finalists for this year&rsquo;s award. All had an incredible season and are standout players within the Metropolitan area. Here's a few quick facts about them this season.
Isaiah Mozee, Senior WR, Lee&rsquo;s Summit North
Isaiah Mozee, an All-American from Lee&rsquo;s Summit North, is recognized as one of the nation&rsquo;s top receivers. A four-year varsity starter, he concluded his high school career with over 3,000 receiving yards and 42 touchdowns, adding more than 600 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns to his impressive resume. Isaiah has signed to play at Nebraska next year, continuing his remarkable football journey.
Banks Bowen, Senior QB, Lawrence
Banks Bowen, a senior quarterback for Lawrence High School, showcased exceptional talent throughout his career. He amassed over 4,000 passing yards and 36 touchdowns while also rushing for more than 2,000 yards and 27 touchdowns. In his senior season alone, Banks recorded over 2,300 passing yards and 23 touchdowns, along with 800 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. He is committed to continuing his football career at Tulsa next year.
Tate Nagy, Senior QB, Blue Valley West
Tate Nagy capped off an impressive junior season with an outstanding senior campaign, completing 181 passes for over 2,500 yards with a 69% completion rate. He recorded 25 passing touchdowns and showcased his dual-threat ability with over 500 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Leading Blue Valley West to the state semifinals, Tate&rsquo;s stellar performance secured his commitment to play at Kansas next year.
Rocco Marriott, Junior QB, Platte County
Rocco Marriott, Junior, Platte County's standout quarterback, has had an extraordinary season. Through 11 games, he has amassed over 2,400 passing yards and 34 touchdowns, playing a pivotal role in leading Platte County to the state championship game.

Awarded to the most oustanding high school football players in Greater Kansas City

Thomas A. Simone Memorial Football Awards

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2023 Simone Awards

Thomas A. Simone Memorial Football Awards