MacArthur's Tommy Joyce Most Outstanding Football Player in Nassau County

Before the 2010 football season began, the MacArthur Generals were ranked ninth in their conference and running back Tommy Joyce's name was hardly mentioned in season previews.

"These factors motivated me; I thought about them every week," said Joyce. "I told myself, if you play like a champion, you will get something out of it."

Joyce went into his senior year determined to rise, and rise he did--all the way to the top as Nassau County's most outstanding football player of the year. 

"From the first time Tommy played football with the Seaford Broncos at 7 years old he's always loved it--every minute of it, every practice, every single day," said Joyce's father, Tom Joyce Sr. "He has always put in so much effort and he truly, truly loves the sport."

Joyce began looking towards the football season all the way back in January, when he started his routine of working out at 6:15 a.m. before school three days a week with teammates. He continued this regimen all the way through summer, and when he took the field this fall his hard work showed.

The Generals improved their ranking and made it into the playoffs, with a 5-4 record. 

Joyce, MacArthur's 5-foot-11, 200-pound co-captain, finished his three-year varsity career with a team-leading 90 tackles and four sacks as linebacker. He is third on the Generals' all-time career tackle list.

Joyce rushed for 372 yards on 47 carries and scored seven touchdowns this season. He also represented MacArthur in the Nassau County Senior Bowl last week.

"Tommy is one of the most instinctive linebackers ever to play at MacArthur," said Head Coach Bobby Fehrenbach.

With his outstanding athleticism and passion for the game, it might be hard to believe that Joyce was completely surprised when he was named this year's recipient of the prestigeous Tom Thorp Memorial Award  at the 45th annual Nassau County High School Football Coaches Association Gridiron Banquet Wednesday night.

The modest senior said he had no idea he was going to win the award, given to the most outstanding player in Nassau County by Newsday since 1942. Joyce is just the second MacArthur General to receive the award after Gian Villante in 2002.

"To be honest I didn't expect it at all," said Joyce. "I knew I had a very good season, but I couldn't have done it without the support of my teammates and coaches."

Added Tom Sr., "All this work and all this love and passion finally just paid off. And to be recognized by the coaches is the most important."

In addition to the Tom Thorp Memorial Award, Joyce received All-County honors along with junior linebacker Brett Ellers. 

This was Ellers' second season under Fehrenbach's command. At 5-foot-7 and 150 pounds, he began his sophomore season as a starting defensive back but was switched to the backfield, where he led the team in rushing.

Ellers continued to dominate in the 2010 season, leading the Generals with  665 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Defensively, he had 39 tackles, one sack and three interceptions- including one that was returned for a score.

"Brett is one of the toughest and most determined players I have ever coached," said Fehrenbach.

Running back Nick Meadows and quarterback Kevin Monahan received All-Conference awards for their invaluable contributions on the field this season.

"To say we parents, players and coaches are all ecstatic is an understatement," said Steve Ellers, football parent, photographer and fixture on the MacArthur sidelines.