Quanzell Murphy accepts the Alan Ameche Award. /Earlene Frederick photo

Bradford High School’s Quanzell Murphy made history this weekend when he received the annual Alan Ameche Award for Football Excellence at the Italian-American Club in Kenosha.

The history part was that for the first time in the history of the award, there was a tie. Murphy and Wilmot Union High School’s Chris Nelson shared the award.

The award honors Kenosha County’s outstanding football student athlete. Its namesake, a Kenosha native, played at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, won the Heisman Trophy and played six seasons for the NFL Baltimore Colts.

Other nominees for the award were: Jason Castona, Central High School; Toneo Gulley, Tremper High School; Zack Koenes, St. Joseph High School; and Randy Strutz, Shoreland Lutheran High School.

This is the seventh year for the award.

The Bradford team as a whole also was recognized for their state football championship. Robert Pozza Sr., a former Tremper High School assistant coach, received the Jaskwhich Lifetime Coaching Award.

Chris Nelson and Quanzell Murphy and the other Ameche Award nominees. /Earlene Frederick photo

Representatives of the state champion Bradford football team: Luke Hagopian, Shawn Payne, Justin Carbone, Jerry Nash III, Kevon Clunis (first-team All-State), and Max Hagopian. /Earlene Frederick photo

Robert Pozza, Jr. /Earlene Frederick photo