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Former Lone Peak offensive lineman Trevor Pay (center) poses for a photo at the awards banquet for the Utah Chapter of the National Football Foundation at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Former Lone Peak running back/linebacker Luke Durfey (center) receives a trophy at the awards banquet for the Utah Chapter of the National Football Foundation at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

Jared Lloyd. Daily Herald

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Former Provo linebacker/tight end Daniel Asisi poses for a photo at the awards banquet for the Utah Chapter of the National Football Foundation at the UCCU Center in Orem on Thursday, April 28, 2022.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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It’s not easy for athletes to get through the rigors of high school football, with the physical and academic demands.

But that’s not enough to be honored as one of the top scholar-leader-athletes by the Utah Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

Fourteen 2021 seniors were recognized with that title at Thursday’s awards banquet at the UCCU Center in Orem, including four representatives from Utah Valley.

Lone Peak running back/linebacker Luke Durfey, Provo linebacker/tight end Daniel Asisi, Springville running back/safety Seth Rigtrup and Lone Peak senior offensive lineman Trevor Pay were all honored on criteria that was 40% based on football achievements, 40% based on academic accomplishments and 20% based on community service and extracurricular leadership.

“It was an incredible event,” Pay said. “It was awesome to hear from all the speakers, to hear everything all these kids have done. The impact that all these high school kids have had on their communities is awesome. I’m just honored to be a part of it. And I was so excited to be up here with my teammate, Luke Durfey.”

BYU commit Cody Hagen, a wide receiver from Corner Canyon, was also honored and was selected to speak at the banquet.

“Our experience was unique because we had to face the uncertainties of the pandemic,” Hagen told the audience. “We didn’t even know if we were going to have a season. It was easy to see what the pandemic had taken away but I came to realize that the things that mattered most to me were close at hand: my family and football. I learned that I was personally responsible for my attitude and effort but football taught me the importance of support, both given and received. Winning was great but it was better when it was shared with my brothers on the field. It’s an honor for us to be named the top scholar-leader-athletes in the state.”

Asisi said that while it was great to be honored, he felt the award truly belongs to all the people who helped along the way.

“I think they’re not honoring everyone who should be,” Asisi said. “My mom should be honored the most for me, the families and coaches. I know everyone thinks it’s individual effort but for me it’s been a lot of people just pushing me. I know that I’m putting in the work but there’s a lot of backroom stuff that happens that not a lot of people see and recognize. I would like to recognize those people, family, coaches, players and everyone that’s helped me get here.”

It was a star-studded night as Super Bowl champion kicker (and former Orem and UVU soccer star) Matt Gay was honored with the Distinguished American Award, while former BYU head coach and long-time high school coach Gary Crowton was given the Contribution to Amateur Football Award.

“It’s crazy being up there with all the names that were up here and thinking that I could be there one day,” Asisi said. “It’s not always going to be perfect but if I do the right things, maybe one day I could be like them. But it’s also about being a good person and helping others along the way.”

Juab head coach Mike Bowring and long-time official Larry Killips were given Outstanding Service to High School Football Awards.

Pay said that being part of a night where all of the efforts were recognized made it a special honor to him.

“We won state this year and that was incredible,” Pay said. “But this definitely felt different because there was a lot more. I felt the focus was honestly on everything but the football a little more, because everyone already recognizes football. To be recognized with all these guys who have like 3.9 or 4.0 GPAs, that have taken all these honors classes, it really just speaks to who all these recipients are as kids. They put their priorities in school and that things which are going to take us far.”

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