The James C. Metzger Suffolk County Chapter of the National Football Foundation gathered senior student‑athletes from William Floyd for its annual Scholar Athlete Awards Brunch, an event that blends athletic excellence with academic distinction.
A historic season for Floyd’s offense
Ja’Quan Thomas, the senior running back, captured the Gregg Sarra Trophy, awarded to Long Island’s top offensive player. His 2,082 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns set a new benchmark, while his 438 points and 72 touchdowns broke school records that had stood for years.
Thomas’s performance earned him multiple county and league honors, including MVP of Suffolk County Division I, Player of the Year, First Team All‑Long Island and All‑County selections. He will continue his football and academic career at SUNY Cortland, where he plans to join the Red Dragons program.
The ceremony also recognized the Floyd offensive line as the division’s best unit, and listed Jeru Hall among the seven finalists for the Sarra Trophy. Spencer Link, the team’s catcher on the varsity baseball squad, was named to the National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete Team, underscoring the balance of sport and scholarship.
Len Genova, Matthew Benjamin, Josiah Lors, Joseph Melecio and Devin Walker were among the other seniors honored at the brunch, reflecting the depth of talent on the Floyd roster. The chapter’s leadership praised the athletes for embodying the organization’s mission of developing well‑rounded leaders.