Blue Devil Trio Named All-State
Three Huntington High School football players have been named All-State by the New York State Sportswriters Association. It’s a remarkable achievement for one high school to have so many elite players recognized.
Levar Butts (linebacker), Ben Kocis (quarterback) and Troy Greene (all-purpose) were all honored after turning in sensational senior seasons. “They were all incredible competitors and great leaders,” Huntington head coach Steve Muller said. “While All-State is an individual honor, it only comes about as the result of a team effort. Everyone on our team has a share in this.”
Butts, who was named to the All-State Class A second team, was simply outstanding this past fall, compiling 120 tackles, including 20 for a loss, 20 assists, five quarterback sacks, two pass deflections and a blocked punt. The 5’8, 205 lb. teenager also rushed 133 times for 959 yards and 14 touchdowns and caught 12 passes for 129 yards.
The 6’2, 190 lb. Kocis was named to the Class A third team after earlier being recognized as Suffolk’s best quarterback. The Blue Devil star completed 116 of 228 passes for 1,687 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was intercepted just five times. Kocis also rushed 82 times for 535 yards and eight touchdowns.
An extremely hardnosed player, Greene also earned a spot on the Class A third team following a season that will long be remembered by Huntington fans. He rushed 15 times for 1,138 yards and 11 touchdowns and had six receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. He also added a two-point conversion.
Defensively the 6’1, 190 lb. Greene had 105 tackles, including 25 for a loss, 14 assists, five quarterback sacks, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery and four pass deflections.
“We couldn’t be prouder of these young men,” Muller said. “They raised the spirits of the entire Huntington community and provided many thrills for our fans last fall.”
New York State Class A has about 125 high school football teams in it. Huntington has had 23 football players named All-State since 1965. Butts, Kocis and Greene are the first Blue Devils to earn All-State honors since Trayvon Toney did so in 2010. Prior to Toney, no one from Huntington had been All-State in football since 2006 when Rhamel and Shamel Bratton and Zachary Howell were recognized.
All-New York State Football Players from Huntington
| Name | Year | Grade | Ht | Wt | Pos. | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levar Butts | 2013 | 12 | 5-8 | 205 | LB | 2nd |
| Troy Greene | 2013 | 12 | 6-1 | 190 | All-Purpose | 3rd |
| Ben Kocis | 2013 | 12 | 6-2 | 190 | QB | 3rd |
| Trayvon Toney | 2010 | 11 | 6-2 | 220 | LB | 3rd |
| Zach Howell | 2006 | 12 | 6-1 | 175 | QB | 2nd |
| Shamel Bratton | 2006 | 12 | 6-2 | 180 | E | 1st |
| Rhamel Bratton | 2006 | 12 | 6-2 | 180 | E | 1st |
| Zach Howell | 2005 | 11 | 6-0 | 170 | QB | 3rd |
| Dominick Sair | 2005 | 12 | 5-11 | 235 | LB | 1st |
| Pierre Delva | 2003 | 12 | 6-1 | 215 | LB | 2nd |
| Stephon Sair | 2001 | 12 | 5-11 | 170 | S | 1st |
| Curtis Williams | 1999 | 12 | 6-3 | 185 | DB | 1st |
| Paul Thomson | 1999 | 12 | 6-6 | 290 | OL | 1st |
| Rahmel Caleb | 1997 | 12 | 5-11 | 220 | RB | 2nd |
| Dawid Rechul | 1997 | 12 | 6-2 | 220 | OL | 2nd |
| John Paci III | 1989 | 12 | 6-4 | 198 | QB | 2nd |
| Darren Ward | 1987 | 12 | 6-2 | 180 | DB | 1st |
| Derek McCord | 1987 | 12 | 6-4 | 200 | QB | 1st |
| Sean Cooper | 1983 | 12 | 6-0 | 183 | E | 5th |
| Todd Jamison | 1978 | 12 | 5-10 | 185 | QB | 3rd |
| Joe Puca | 1976 | 12 | 6-0 | 190 | RB | 5th |
| Mark Paar | 1971 | 12 | 6-2 | 165 | DB | 2nd |
| Tony Fusaro | 1965 | 12 | 6-2 | 235 | OT/DT |