BOB GNOZA AWARD

Bob Gnoza was the former Commissioner of the Cape Ann Youth Football League and served more than 20 years as a coach, board member, and President of Masconomet Youth Football.  Bob was one of the most progressive CAYFL Commissioners in the league’s history, actively looking to expand the league and advocating various rule changes to improve competition and safety.  He was well respected by coaches and officials throughout the league, and loved by the hundreds of youth players he coached throughout his career.  In 2008, he received the highest honor of any coach in league history as he was named Massachusetts Youth Coach of the Year by the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association.

Bob passed away in July, 2014 at the age of 63, but his legacy lives on in the Cape Ann Youth Football League.  To honor his spirit and commitment to youth sports, the CAYFL is proud to present the Bob Gnoza Award annually to a deserving 8th grade player who best exemplifies the principles Bob stood for – dedication, courage, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Each year, one 8th grader will be nominated by each CAYFL program.  The head coach of the A (or JVA) team should submit a short bio of the nominated player and discuss his qualifications for the award considering:

* Leadership qualities.
* Teamwork and team spirit.
* Dealing with adversity.
* Respect and sportsmanship.
* Dedication and commitment to team.
* Academics and citizenship.
* Other admirable qualities.

All nominees will be reviewed and voted upon by the Commissioners and head coaches of each program (one vote each and must be for a nominee from another town).  The winner will be announced at the annual CAYFL All Star Banquet.

 

2025 Gnoza Nominees

Marblehead

Wiley Dinsmore

It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I nominate Wiley Dinsmore for the Bob Gnoza Award. Wiley is an 8th grade player who embodies the spirit, grit, and heart that this award represents. A neurodivergent athlete who attends SEEM Collaborative School in Stoneham, Wiley has shown unwavering commitment to Marblehead Youth Football, making it to practice every day—no small feat given the distance and demands of his schedule.

Wiley has played for Marblehead Youth Football for three years, and in that time, he’s become a fixture of our program. He keeps the coaching staff on their toes, always bringing energy, humor, and wittiness to the field. One unforgettable moment came when Wiley challenged one of our coaches to a “bull in the ring” hitting drill—his confidence and love for the game are unmatched.

Last year, Wiley was a member of our B team Superbowl championship squad, where he not only contributed to the team but scored a touchdown—an achievement that lit up the sidelines and showcased his determination. This season, one of Wiley’s most memorable plays came during a kickoff against North Reading, where he nearly recovered an onside kick. He took a hard hit and to this day insists it was a late hit — we may need to check the tape on that one.

Wiley’s enthusiasm is infectious. Whether he’s practicing WWE-style suplexes on the Jax Football tackler or rocking his signature Hulk Hogan socks during games, he brings joy and personality to every moment. His family’s support is equally inspiring—his mom once dressed up as Hulk Hogan and surprised the team with cupcakes for Wiley’s birthday, a gesture that perfectly captures the love and community Wiley fosters around him. The coaching staff was so appreciative, and when asked about her costume, Wiley’s mom simply said, ‘Wiley loves the Hulk—and I love Wiley.'”

Beyond the field, Wiley demonstrates leadership and empathy. When I was traveling for work, he consistently asked how my trip was—small gestures that speak volumes about his character. He’s a teammate who lifts others up, may occasionally get on their nerves, leads by example, and reminds us all why youth sports matter.

Wiley Dinsmore is not just a football player. He’s a force of nature, a teammate you want in your huddle, and a young man who truly represents the legacy of Bob Gnoza. I can think of no one more deserving of this year’s award.

 

Swampscott

Grafton Whitman

It’s been an absolute privilege to coach Grafton Whitman over the past three years here in Swampscott. I can honestly say I cannot think of a more deserving nominee of the Bob Gnoza Award. Grafton’s love for football is genuine and contagious—he’s the kid who shows up early, always smiling, football in hand, leading his teammates in a game of catch before our practice begins.

We’ve got a saying on our team: “If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late.” And yet, no matter how early I get there, Grafton somehow beats me almost every time. He’s that kind of player—always there first, engaged always smiling and upbeat, and always making the people around him better. His leadership isn’t loud or forced; it’s natural. He leads by example—through his work ethic, his curiosity, and the way he treats everyone on the team with respect and encouragement. Always with an unselfish attitude towards his teammates and coaches alike.

Over the years, Grafton has become one of the most dependable and versatile players in our program. A three-year, two-way starter, he’s been a rock for us—anchoring our defense at middle linebacker and our offense at tackle. No matter where we’ve needed him, he’s stepped up without hesitation, never complaining, always giving his full effort with a complete commitment to our team’s success.

Off the field, Grafton continues to impress. He’s a member of the Junior National Honor Society, and while football is clearly his passion, he also loves skiing and baseball. He even went out of his way to train as a Little League umpire and has already called a few games. That kind of initiative and dedication says a lot about who he is—someone who gives back to the game and his community.

What makes Grafton’s journey even more remarkable is the adversity he’s overcome to be where he is today. In third grade, he was diagnosed with Chiari malformation, which required brain surgery to relieve pressure on his brain and spinal cord. This condition led to scoliosis, and since fourth grade, Grafton has worn a scoliosis brace 12 to 18 hours a day—one that stretches from his armpits to below his hips. The goal of the brace was to correct the curvature of his spine and hopefully prevent a future follow up surgery. Most kids would’ve let that slow them down. Grafton never has.

Earlier this year, when doctors told his parents, Tristan and Jennifer, that he’d need upper spinal fusion surgery. They approached Grafton with the tough news, Grafton’s first question wasn’t “why me?”—it was whether he could wait until after the football season for the surgery so he could finish his CAYFL journey with his teammates. That’s who he is: selfless, tough, and loyal to his core. With his doctors’ approval and medical clearance to safely play the entire season, he’s played every snap this season with the same heart, effort, and positivity that define him. Grafton has continued to give everything he has for our team. His resilience, courage, and unwavering positivity are an inspiration to everyone around him.

After his potentially two surgeries, the first is planned early December and second a week later, he’ll have a month of recovery away from school and six months where he can’t play sports—but if you know Grafton, you know he’s already focused on his comeback. He’s determined to be back on the football field as a freshman next year, representing the Big Blue with that same energy and determination that inspire everyone around him.

Grafton Whitman embodies everything the Bob Gnoza Award stands for—character, leadership, perseverance, and a pure love of the game. Coaching him has been one of the true honors of my time here in Swampscott.

 

Pentucket

Logan Reiter

Logan was born premature, and early on, doctors weren’t sure if there might be any lasting complications, one even joked that he might not become a soccer star, but he’d be just fine. And that’s exactly what Logan has proven to be: more than fine. He’s resilient, determined, and never afraid to put in the work to get better.

Athletics haven’t always come naturally to him, but Logan has never let that hold him back. He’s incredibly dedicated, researching the sports he’s interested in, practicing on his own, and showing up to every practice ready to give 100%. He’s dependable, coachable, and consistently brings a positive attitude, even when he knew he might only play a few downs each game. This year, all that hard work has really paid off as he’s made huge strides and earned his spot on the field.

Off the field, Logan is just as steady and genuine. He’s known for his calm, collected nature, his friends even call him “Old Man Logan” because of how composed and mature he is. He’s a loyal friend, a supportive teammate, and someone who quietly leads by example.

Outside of football, Logan loves fishing. He spends his summers out on the lake catching bass, crappie, and whatever else will bite, it’s his favorite way to unwind. In school, he’s thriving academically, currently earning all A’s except for one class. One of his teachers recently said, “Logan has been absolutely crushing it, he’s such a fantastic student and person,” which really sums him up well.

We’re so proud of the young man he’s becoming, hardworking, kind, humble, and determined. Thank you again for recognizing his efforts and character both on and off the field.

Salem

Shane Lister

Every once in a while or maybe once in a lifetime you come across someone who impacts you. Someone who breaks the statistic. That person is Shane Lister. My name is Camrin Ramos and I am the Head Coach of the Salem A-Team. I started coaching three years ago at the 6^th grade level. This is where I first met Shane. The year before that Shane’s father tragically passed away. His father was a program director for The Plumber Youth Promise. A program that services to young people in or at risk of entering the foster care or juvenile justice systems.

Now when I say statistic I mean that seventy percent of youth children who grow up without a father are more likely to become a statistic. Since I have met Shane, in three years of practice and games he has not missed one day of practice or missed one game. He has been our captain for the past three years. He is an outstanding student/athlete who not only shines on the field but in the classroom as well. Shane has exhibited not only to his teammates but to the coaching staff, that even when your cards are not dealt right in your life you still have a choice. Those choices are to keep fighting and make something out of yourself or to become that statistic.

Shane has made his choice. At just 14 years old, at such a young age he already learned what it feels like to lose something. Still making the decision to keep fighting and never giving up. A quote that Shane lives by from his mother Caryn is “let’s not bleed until we’re shot”, meaning hard things will happen in life but be grateful and keep fighting. On our team we live and play by one simple phrase “Be great, not average”, Shane is the true model of what that means. On the field he’s the definition of sportsmanship. He not only is one of the best athletes I have ever seen but when big plays happen, he makes sure to help the opposing team back to their feet.

Shane makes sure to shake every coaches hand firmly with eye contact saying “thank you” not “good game”. He truly shows how grateful and invested he is in this sport. It has been a complete honor to coach Shane Lister, he has taught me more than I think I have ever taught him. I never met his father before but I know his father is looking down proud of him, because I know I am truly proud of how far he has come.

Our job as coaches is to set these young kids up for not only football but for life. Shane is the true example of what this award stands for. Dedication, Leadership, Respect and most importantly of all breaking the statistic. I want to thank you for giving Shane the opportunity to show he is NOT a statistic, and that he CAN be that “Once in a Lifetime”.

North Reading

Eli Preciado

When I think of Eli Preciado, a few key words immediately come to mind: Leader, Dedicated, Engaged, and Kind.

To understand the young man Eli is you need to know him as a young child.  Since the age of six, Eli has served as a foster brother to countless children, welcoming each one with an open heart and unwavering compassion. While many kids his age were focused on their own worlds, Eli was navigating the emotional complexity of building — and then losing — relationships with children who came and went. Despite the heartache, he continued to embrace each child with love and generosity. It’s no surprise his family continued fostering for years, until they were finally able to adopt his younger brother, Aiden.

Today, you can see the bond they share in the way Aiden looks at Eli — with admiration and a desire to be just like him. Eli hasn’t just passed down his love of football, but also his empathy, strength, and unwavering moral compass.

I have had the privilege of coaching Eli since the 6th grade. Like many young athletes, he began his youth football career with a lot to learn. Coming from a flag football background, Eli quickly had to adjust to a new reality — transitioning from a potential skill position to playing on the line. While that could be a tough adjustment for many, Eli accepted the challenge with humility and determination. He worked hard and had a solid first season.

What truly set Eli apart, however, was the work he put in during the offseason. I would often see him at the field on his own or with a few teammates, running drills and honing his technique. By the time the next season began, Eli had exceeded all of our expectations. His growth as a player was evident, and even more importantly, his leadership qualities began to emerge.

In his second year, Eli became a cornerstone of the team. Despite being undersized for the position, he played across the offensive line wherever we needed him and consistently ranked among our best linemen. On defense, he transformed into a dominant presence at defensive end — a stark contrast to the thoughtful and kind young man we saw off the field. His tenacity, focus, and relentlessness made him a force to be reckoned with.

That season presented a unique challenge, as our team faced four opponents composed primarily of 8th graders. Understandably, morale dipped among the players. But Eli’s unwavering commitment to the team, the coaching staff, and the game itself became a rallying point for everyone.

I’ll never forget one particular game. We were down by 32 points at halftime, and concerns about safety began to arise due to the size and physicality of the opposing team. Several parents approached me, asking that we end the game early. In the locker room, I gave the team permission to call it — I told them they had already proven their heart and toughness, and there would be no shame in walking away.

There was a long silence… and then Eli spoke.

He said: “Coach, you’ve always told us the score doesn’t matter — that we should never quit, in football or in life. We’re not quitting on each other. We’re going to finish this game, no matter what the score is.”

That moment encapsulates who Eli is — not just as an athlete, but as a person. While his performance on the field could have easily earned him All-Star recognition, it’s his character that truly sets him apart. It’s rare to find a player whose leadership, integrity, and compassion shine even brighter than their athletic talent.

Eli supports every member of the team. He leads by example, expects focus and effort, and lifts others up — never tearing them down. He’s the first to help an opposing player to their feet after a big play, showing as much respect for his opponents as he does for his teammates.

Eli Preciado is more than a talented football player — he is a leader in every sense of the word. It has been an absolute honor to coach him.

 

Beverly

Jackson Doughty

It is with tremendous pride and admiration that the Beverly Panthers nominate Jackson Doughty for the Bob Gnoza Award. Jackson has been an outstanding participant in the Beverly Youth program for the past 4 Seasons. Over that period, he has played and excelled at just about every position on the field. He has always displayed an eagerness to learn, ability to be coached, and willingness to take on whatever role is best for his team. Jackson is up for any challenge, and his ability to conquer those challenges has earned him the nickname “The Big Red Machine.” He is quick to offer encouragement and motivation for his teammates, and his positive attitude is infectious, making him a natural leader.

Outside of Beverly Football, Jackson is an outstanding and well-rounded young man. Academically, Jackson maintains High Honors at North Shore Christian School at Gordon College, where he also volunteers to mentor younger students throughout the school year and help them with reading. Athletically, Jackson plays multiple sports at an All-Star/All-State level, including lacrosse, baseball, basketball, and flag football. He is eager to bolster his community and has participated in several service projects. He volunteers yearly to clean up around the local cemetery and honor fallen veterans for Memorial Day. Additionally, he has traveled to Puerto Rico to aid in disaster relief efforts and helped to rebuild a home for a family in need. Ever the renaissance man, he also enjoys painting, cooking, playing piano and is even a bit of a Sneaker-Head.

As an athlete, Jackson embodies everything for which a teammate and coach could ask. As a young man, he displays the discipline, charity and virtue that we can all aspire toward.

 

Danvers

Anthony Brogna

Anthony Brogna has been an exceptional player in the Danvers Youth Football program since 2021 when he started playing tackle on the D team 5 years ago. Along with demonstrating outstanding athletic ability on the field at his linebacker position, he embodies the spirit and principles that Bob Gnoza stood for throughout his life.

Anthony has consistently been someone that other people look up to, both on and off the field. He leads by example, always displaying a positive attitude and encouraging others, even during challenging moments. His commitment to teamwork is evident in how he communicates and collaborates with teammates. Anthony understands that football is a team sport and ensures that every member feels valued and included.  He has been voted by his peers as one of the team captains for four out of five seasons which shows how incredibly respected he is by all members of our group.

In addition to how he treats his own squad, Anthony consistently demonstrates respect for coaches, referees, and opponents . He plays hard but fair, and his sportsmanship has set a benchmark for others on the team to follow.  He also does not possess the largest stature as a linebacker but his intelligence, quickness and aggressive nature even the playing field although he constantly gives up height and weight to the opponent lining up over him.

Anthony hardly misses practices and always goes above and beyond even when a request might seem out of his comfort zone. This year, our starting cornerback came down with the flu a couple days before the first game of the year and we asked him to step away from his linebacker spot and play at corner instead.  With a head nod and a smile, he said “yes, coach” and went on to have a great game at this new position.  His dedication exemplifies commitment to the team and its success.

Beyond football, Anthony possesses too many impressive qualities to name, making him not only a great athlete but also a remarkable individual. He is an awesome friend to all of his buds, incredible brother to his two sisters and proud son to his parents.  In summary, I am proud to nominate Anthony Brogna for the Bob Gnoza Award. His embodiment of dedication, courage, discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship makes him a deserving recipient of this honor.

Thank you for considering this nomination.

Hamilton Wenham

Ipswich Triton

Nick Vincola

It is with pride and admiration that I nominate Nick Vincola for the 2025 Bob Gnoza Award.  I know it’s an overused refrain, but Nick really is a great kid on and off the field.  This is Nick’s third year playing football with ITYFL and his second year as team captain.  The past two seasons this team has faced many punishing losses.  But Nick continues to show up at each practice, each game, and each play with hope and determination.  Through it all, Nick maintains a great attitude saying that as long as he’s having fun, the wins and losses don’t matter.

That’s not to say Nick doesn’t want to win.  Of course, he wants to win.  He always puts in one hundred percent and encourages his teammates to do the same.  If the team is told to run laps, Nick is sure to run the perimeter and not cut any corners.  He is also the first player at the end of each practice to put away bags, cones or other equipment.  Nick leads by example.

Nick knows that success on the field requires a year-round commitment.  For the past couple of years, he has sought out sports conditioning at Brick By Brick Training Systems in Haverhill. Last year, he ran track for the first time and qualified for states in the javelin.  This year, he will be wrestling for the first time for Triton High School.

In addition to being an exemplary teammate and a great athlete, Nick is a good student.  He’s in the accelerated math program at Triton with aspirations of working in aerospace engineering.  Last year he participated in DECA, a school-based program supporting the development of emerging leaders and entrepreneurs.  Because they were short a saxophone player, Nick decided to pick up the sax and join the jazz band.  Nick is always there to lend a hand where needed.

Because of kids like Nick, I have really enjoyed my first-year coaching.  As he transitions out of youth sports and into high school, I look forward to watching Nick mature into who he is meant to be on and off the field.

 

North Andover

Devin Duquette

North Andover is proud to nominate Devin “Duke” Duquette for the Gnoza Award.

There are few who can be described as great football players but even better kids. Duke is absolutely one of those kids, and he is a football player.

Duke embodies all of the qualities that the Gnoza Award represents.

At games and practices, Duke’s presence is felt immediately. He is a vocal leader whose positive attitude is contagious and motivates the team to stay focused and give maximum effort. More importantly, he leads by example. He is always the first one in line for warmups and drills. If he makes a mistake, he doesn’t make an excuse – he recognizes it immediately and corrects it on the next play. He is able to hold the rest of the team accountable because he holds himself accountable.

Not only is he our unofficial captain, but he is also a coach on the field. As the signal caller on defense, we ask a lot of him, and he always delivers. If there is a big play or a big hit, you don’t even have to be watching the game to know that Duke was involved. He plays the game the right way.  What he doesn’t possess in physical gifts he makes up for in fundamentals, football IQ, and a nonstop motor. He buckles his chinstrap and gets the job done.

For the last two years, Duke played fullback and endured the pain and punishment that comes with the position without once asking to carry the ball. Early this year he was in the mix for carries, and you could see the excitement in his eyes.  When we changed the offense and he was thrust back into the fullback role, he did not sulk or complain. He said what he always says – “yes, coach.”

That says all you need to know about Duke.

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