The Paraclete High School football team may have fallen a bit short in its 2007 playoff run, but not in Olympic League postseason accolades.  Running back Jerry Kelly was named offensive player of the year, defensive back David Green received top defensive player honors and Thomas Caterina was voted top lineman.

"For everyone to acknowledge how successful our season was, and how much talent we have, is quite an honor," coach Norm Dahlia said.

Kelly made a big jump in his senior season, rushing for 1,421 yards and 16 touchdowns. Joining Kelly on the Olympic League first-team offense was fellow running back Dante Donato, who gained 805 yards and scored nine times.

"Jerry was huge," Dahlia said. "When we needed a big play, Jerry found a way to get it done. He's a very special person. He came from a public school and had a hard time adapting to the Paraclete lifestyle. He had to change his whole lifestyle and just his determination to become a better person was motivation for a lot of guys who school comes easier to."

While Kelly received most of the postseason attention, Dahlia believes his teammate Dante Donato in the backfield played a large part of his success.  "I owe so much to Dante for the success of our offense," Dahlia said. "He was just huge. They had to worry about him every single play, which takes the eyes off Jerry with the run and Ronaiah (Tuiasosopo) with the pass."

Along with Green on the first-team defense is linebackers Beau Lynch, Craig Antosh, Kyle Swanson and defensive end Dustin Petty.  "I was really surprised," Green said. "It means a lot to everyone on our team. Without the team, I wouldn't have any shot of getting it."

Offensive second-team selections include kicker/punter Taylor Shirk, linemen Andrew Culver and Aaron Plasencia, and running back Brandon Buteyn.  Second-team defensive choices were awarded to linemen Todd Davis and Stephen Burnias.  "I'm really happy for them," Green said. "It's about time we get some recognition. I'm excited."

While Green downplayed his own individual achievement, Dahlia knows Green deserves everything coming his way.  "His work ethic is just unbelievable," Dahlia said. "He knows when to have a little bit of fun, but he also knows when it's time to get to work and force other people to get to work. Once we got into spring ball, he basically took charge of everything, which made my life easier. He demands respect and the kids respect someone like him. He's a pretty special individual."

Caterina, the tight end/defensive end didn't get nearly as much publicity during the regular season, but teams that played against him were very much aware of his presence. The senior, who missed Paraclete's last two games because of a knee injury, caught 18 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns, but made his biggest impact blocking. He also had 6½ sacks and two fumble recoveries.

"Thomas had a great year," Dahlia said. "We needed him to block and we needed his hands. Defensively he forced most of the plays back to our linebackers, and that's what his job is. He was more recognized by his opponents. When I went to put my nominations in, the other coaches were coming up to me saying 'how about Thomas?'"

Even though their season ended more prematurely than they would have liked, losing a Southern Section Mid-Valley Division semifinal game to Bishop Diego, the Spirits made a ton of noise this season and it showed in the postseason awards. 

Any hope of a Palmdale comeback all but disappeared on their 2^nd possession of the 2^nd half.  Working from deep in their own end, the Falcons completed a swing pass into the right flat that led to a fumble, setting up the Swordsmen at the Palmdale 10-yard line. Haynes punched it in for his third score, widening the lead to 29-6.

Haynes added yet another score, this one a 13-yard run early in the 4^th quarter to make it 36-6.  Palmdale put together a 63-yard drive, with Marquell Jefferson doing the honors from 1 yard out.  Malcolm Culver’s two point conversion made it 36-14.  St Paul picked off a Mims pass late and turned that into their final touchdown of the night.