Quarterbacks, running backs and receivers are football players who receive all the accolades. Andrew Willis, a defensive end and offensive tackle for Cincinnati Country Day, proved to be the exception, claiming Cincinnati's most prestigious football award Thursday at the Omni Netherland Plaza.

        Willis was the recipient of the “That's My Boy” award, given annually by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

        Brent Grover, a linebacker for three-time defending state champion Highlands, received the award for Kentucky.

        “I didn't realize what it meant until I met the other nominees and heard of their accomplishments,” Willis said. “It made all the work I did in high school worth it.”

        At the conclusion of the season, each coach is permitted to nominate one player for the honor.

        “We weigh achievements in football and in the class room each at 40 percent,” said board of trustees member Tom Potter. “Community service is weighed at 20 percent.”

        A National Merit Scholarship finalist, Willis is an honor roll student at Cincinnati Country Day, with a 3.6 grade-point average.

        Named to the Associated Press Division VI All Southwest District first team, Willis was a second-team all-state selection. He works as a volunteer at the Hamilton County Animal Shelter.

        “Kevin was co-captain of the football team and was well respected and liked by everyone,” CCD football coach Tim Dunn said. “He worked hard to be as good as he was in football.”

        Willis is considered one of the school's best writers. He serves as a reporter for the school newspaper and is editor of the literary magazine.

        “He has enough credits to enter college as a second-year student,” Dunn said.

Sports Stories

Ohio State 63, Illinois 61 NKU men 96, Missouri-St. Louis 70 NKU women 84, Missouri-St. Louis 63 St. X swimmers seek 23rd state title Ursuline swimmers in line for fourth state title Dixie swimmer chasing two Ky. titles Indian Hill diver repeats state title District wrestling preview CCD's Willis wins 'That's My Boy' award Highlands' Grover wins Ky. 'That's My Boy' award Holmes' Hallman takes charge Boys basketball coverage Girls basketball coverage Cincinnati boys basketball games Cincinnati girls basketball games N.Ky. boys basketball game N.Ky. girls basketball games Ohio boys basketball scores Ohio girls basketball scores Indiana boys basketball scores Indiana girls basketball scores Kentucky boys basketball scores Kentucky girls basketball scores Boys basketball schedule Girls basketball schedule Our Fearless Predictions for Cincinnati boys games Our Fearless Predictions for N.Ky. boys games

Bengals, Mitchell talking contract
Wohlers key link in bullpen
Greenwell explains comeback plans
Righty trio could throw on Sunday
Boone recovering nicely from knee surgery
XU women clinch share of A-10 title
Xavier on bubble despite 20 wins
XU could host preseason tourney