Aquinas, Lauderdale, Cypress Bay, Pine Crest athletes honored at Piccolo Awards
The 51st annual Brian Piccolo Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame was held Thursday at the War Memorial Auditorium honoring 40 high school football athletes for their outstanding achievements on and off the field.
The overall 2025-26 winners were Lorenzo Lopez of Cypress Bay, Sariyah Lewis of Fort Lauderdale, Zachary Moss of Pine Crest and Johnny DiSalvatore III of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Lewis became the first female award winner in the history of the prestigious event. She was a BCAA All-Star, playing defensive end for the Flying L’s and was also part of the school’s track and field team.
“I never thought playing football would come true,” Lewis said. “ I was very scary for me. I kept persevering with the things I’ve wanted to do. I never stopped believing in myself. This is special because it took a lot for me to be here.”
DiSalvatore, who kicked a record five field goals in the Raiders Class 5A state championship victory over Lakeland, became the first-place kicker to be named MVP in an FHSAA state title game.
“It means the world with all the work we put in throughout the year,” said DiSalvatore, who will attend Wagner College. “We’ve been stamping the legacy at St. Thomas, a place with the tradition and legacy that we have. It’s something special.”
He was also named Rivals National First Team All-American.
Lopez played four seasons for the Lightning and was a Miami Herald Silver Knight Award Nominee.
“This feels amazing because I feel I left no stone unturned with all the thing I’ve worked on,” Lopez said. “I feel blessed for being recognizing for everything I’ve done.”
Moss was unable to attend Thursday’s ceremony as he was playing for the Panthers’ boys lacrosse district game against St. Andrew’s on Thursday. He will be attending Vanderbilt University. Other special awards went to Ki’Jana Carter (Distinguished American), Pat McQuaid of Nova High (Contribution to Amateur Athletics), Greg Walker (Outstanding Football Official).
