NHS Senior Quarterback Honored with Craig Peters Award

The Naugatuck Football Alumni Association honored the Naugatuck Greyhounds last week presenting the team with jackets to commemorate the first Naugatuck Valley League championship since 2001.

Senior quarterback Erich Broadrick was honored with the Craig Peters Excellence Award. Broadrick led the Greyhounds to a 38-20 win over Ansonia on Thanksgiving Day throwing for 301 yards and three touchdown passes and rushed for two more touchdowns to compete his MVP performance.

Mayor Bob Mezzo was also on hand to present the team with a brick inscribed with the final score of the championship game that will be included in the walk of fame leading to the football field.

The Mayor also gave the team a game ball for the schools trophy case and offered congratulations to the team for it’s accomplishments this season.  

“You have made everyone who has worn the uniform proud with your outstanding accomplishment,” said Mezzo.

Naugatuck Football Alumni Association co-founder Frank Johnson addressed the team before handing out the jackets.

“The only thing I ask is that when you wear these jackets to remember you are representing Naugatuck football,” said Johnson. “Wear them with pride and the respect that this football program deserves. You are also representing the town of Naugatuck.”

Johnson went on to explain how the player was chosen for the Craig Peters Excellence Award. It was an award that reflected the former coach’s attributes of hard work, dedication and character.

“On Thanksgiving morning before the game I don’t remember what I asked Erich but I do remember his response,” said Johnson. “He smiled at me and pointed to his heart and told me we are going to win this game because I have it right here.”

Broadrick then went out and played “one of the most impressive games in the history of this rivalry,” Johns added.

Naugatuck head coach Rob Plasky announced that Broadrick was one of 30 players in the state to be selected by the New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation as scholar athlete of the year and will be High School football Hall of Fame.

“This is such a great honor,” said Broadrick, who will attend Post University in the fall to play football and baseball. “A lot of sweat and tears went into these last four years and to finish up my career winning the NVL championship was just an amazing feeling.”

“It’s going to be an awesome feeling going to next years Thanksgiving Day game wearing this jacket and being remembered along with my teammates as NVL champions.”