MONTGOMERY − The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation held its 59th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 19, at the original Montgomery Inn.
The banquet honored numerous high school football players in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, giving out the prestigious "That's My Boy" award for Kentucky and the "That's Our Boy" award for Cincinnati.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNamed after Cincinnati Post writer Joe Quinn, the Southwest Ohio "That's Our Boy" award was given to La Salle offensive lineman Max Kief.
More: Vote for Greater Cincinnati high school athlete of the week Feb. 16
The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation held its 59th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet at the original Montgomery Inn on Thursday, Feb. 19.More: Vote for Enquirer Spirit Award honoring cheer, dance teams, Feb. 17
"Max (Kief) is in our LSI program, maintains a 4.0 GPA and is involved in many extracurricular activities outside of football. On the field, he is a worker and competes at the highest level," La Salle head coach Pat McLaughlin said in a statement. "As a captain of our team, he led by example and led a very physical and tough offensive line."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the field, Kief was a first-team All-Ohio selection. Kief helped open up holes on a La Salle offensive line that churned out 5.4 yards per carry during the 2025 season, over 2,600 total rushing yards and 30 touchdowns.
La Salle's Max Kief (left), pictured with head coach Pat McLaughlin (right), won the Southwest Ohio "That's Our Boy" award.Off the field, Kief is a National Merit Scholar, a class officer, a member of the Key Club and is a part of the Big Brothers program. Kief is signed with the Miami RedHawks.
"Football is important to me because it is a way for me to test my limits, physicality and mentally, so I can become the most well-rounded person I can be," Kief said.
Kief is the fourth La Salle Lancer to win the award, joining Zach Branam (2021), Joe Burger (2012) and Ryan Murphy (1994).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFinalists for the award included: Fenwick's Ben Abbott, Gamble Montessori's Massila Diawara, Anderson's Brady Kuhn, Loveland's Calvin Lorek, Kings' Grant Nurre, Badin's Pete Pendergest, Summit Country Day's Sam Reder, Mariemont's Luke Robinson and Bethel-Tate's Landen Schultian.
Ryle's Jacob Savage (21) was named the winner of the "That's My Boy" award from the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation on Thursday, Feb. 19.More: St. X's Steve Specht, Mason superintendent speak for anti-NIL bill
The Northern Kentucky's "That's My Boy" award went to Ryle's Jacob Savage. The award is named for Covington Catholic graduate Brian P. Williams, who died at the World Trade Center in the Sept. 11, 2001, attack.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAn Indiana University signee, Savage was the MaxPreps High School Football Player of the Year in Kentucky. He was also the KHSAA 6A Player of the Year and won the Paul Hornung Award, given to Kentucky's top prep football player.
"The one thing that stands out is the fire and enthusiasm he has in everything he does. He leads by example and is relentless as a player and student," Ryle head coach Mike Engler said of Savage. "Jacob's teammates have also honored him by selecting him as a team captain for the past three seasons. He is a positive role model for all the community and at Ryle High School. Indiana is getting more than a player; they are getting a fantastic citizen and person."
Savage was a two-way star during Ryle's run to the Class 6A state semifinals in 2025. At running back, he ran for 1,222 yards and 24 touchdowns. At linebacker, he recorded 112 tackles. He finished his prep career as Ryle's all-time leading rusher and tackler. Savage is also class president, participates in DECA and FCA clubs and runs track.
Savage is the sixth Ryle Raider to win the award, joining Gabe Savage (2022), Jake Chisholm (2018), Ryan Woolf (2015), Tate Nichols (2010) and Scott Gray (2007).
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNorthern Kentucky's finalists for the "That's My Boy" award included St. Henry's Caden Kunsteck and Newport Central Catholic's Will Sandfoss.
The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation also honored four athletes from four area colleges who have "demonstrated excellence on the gridiron, in their respective areas of studies and in their campus communities."
Those four honorees were University of Cincinnati's Jonathan Thompsen, Thomas More University's Cam Weil, Mount Saint Joseph Nicholas Paff and Miami University's Silas Walters.
Greater Cincinnati Chapter President Ron Corradini Jr. (right) was surprised with a Contribution to Amateur Football Award at the annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 19.Greater Cincinnati Chapter President Ron Corradini Jr. was presented with a Contribution to Amateur Football Award.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementGreg Bailie, who spent 54 years as a football coach, was the winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bailie was a head coach for 27 years, including 17 spent locally at in the Lakota school district. Bailie was also a college assistant for 20 years, most recently serving as the offensive coach at Mount St. Joseph.
John Widecan, who joined the University of Cincinnati football program in 1989 and currently serves as Associate Athletic Director for Football Operations, was the winner of the Contribution to Amateur Football Award.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: La Salle's Max Kief, Ryle's Jacob Savage win 'That's My Boy' awards
AdvertisementAdvertisement