After a stellar season that saw him help lead his team to the Division 8 semifinal round, KIPP Academy junior quarterback Juan Setalsingh has been named the Commonwealth Athletic Conference co-MVP after the awards and all-stars were announced over the weekend.
Setalsingh was the key cog in the Panthers’ offense this season, passing for 1,819 yards and 25 touchdowns while also rushing for 540 yards and seven touchdowns. He was also a two-way player for KIPP, notching six interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. His prowess helped push the Panthers to the Division 8 semifinal against Hull, where an injury knocked Setalsingh from the game.
But Setalsingh wasn’t the only Panther to earn an award from the CAC, as senior lineman Hakim Badmus took home Lineman of the Year honors. The senior didn’t allow a single quarterback pressure as an offensive lineman this season, and on defense he notched 70 tackles, four sacks, seven tackles for loss, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Also picking up CAC all-star honors were senior receiver Jaythean Im — who notched 1,032 receiving yards and 18 total touchdowns in his first year of football — senior running back Piero Canales, junior running back Vic Mafo and sophomore receiver Jovan Machado.
“I’m so proud of this team and its players, and these guys all deserve recognition for what they’ve done,” said KIPP coach Jim Rabbitt. “These guys played their hearts out all year, and I believe that if Juan didn’t go down against Hull, we’d be getting ready for Gillette this week.”
Just down the road from KIPP, Lynn Tech also had a few players get named as CAC all-stars in senior running back Regner Nival, senior linebacker Domenic Giordano, senior defensive lineman Alejandro Gonzalez and junior quarterback Tyler David.
Nival averaged five yards per carry during his final season with the Tigers, finishing the year with 740 yards on 130 carries to go along with eight rushing touchdowns.
Giordano was the driving force behind Tech’s defense, totaling 129 tackles with two sacks, 14 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He also added three rushing touchdowns on the offensive side.
Gonzalez picked up 52 total tackles on the season, notching five sacks, five tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
David was Tech’s leading rusher on the year, carrying the ball 129 times for 780 yards and eight touchdowns. He also added 195 passing yards and two passing touchdowns.
“These young men have all had tremendous seasons and deserve this honor,” said Tech coach James Runner. “We’re honored to have them represent Lynn Tech as CAC all-stars.”