MONSIGNOR PETERS’ AWARD (Outstanding Student-Athlete)
First bestowed in 1962, there is no greater honor and tradition within the NY Metro Catholic football league than the annual awarding of the Monsignor Matthew Peters’ Award…
A “badge” of Studiousness, Christianity, and Physical gifts; in order to even be considered, it is imperative that the individual be a “triple-threat” who shines on the field, in the classroom, and within his community….
Referenced and/or jocosely cited in modern times as something of a “cheat code” that puts the recipient on a path to greatness that extends well beyond their football-playing days; past winners have gone on to achieve amazing feats within the realms of medicine, finance/business, law, military service, and just about any other respected field of professionalism/vocation!
Members of this “brotherhood” routinely finding themselves on the campuses of America’s finest colleges/universities; recent predecessors—Matt DiLullo (2020, Scott Becker (2021), John Donahoe (2022), Edward Palumbo (2023), and Jaiden Cadotte (2024) have gravitated to institutions of higher learning such as Tufts, Princeton, Harvard, Yale, and the M.I.T!!!
Simply put, “the pursuit of excellence in all endeavors” is an unofficial mantra; to be chosen is a symbol that you are not just among the creme de la creme of NYCHSFL athletes; but rather that you belong in the company in the 1% of mankind that shapes the betterment of society!
And it is with these sentiments in mind that we exultingly announce the newest addition to this exclusive band…Mr. Justin Jones (Chaminade)!
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Applauded and/or blessed for his stellar performance as the preeminent specialist in the AAA division this season; as a combination placekicker/punter, the Cold Spring Harbor resident amassed 55 points this season (7th most among kickers in all of NYS) while also finishing 1st and 2nd in the Empire in the categories of punts inside the opposing 20 (18) and touchbacks off of kickoffs (20)…
Living up the billing of “Ultimate Weapon” as coined by Flyer Head Coach, Thomas Claro; Jones demonstrated why he garnered All-State (5th team) and All-Region distinction as a junior classman and why he is “smart money” bet to repeat these accolades in his swan song!…
Converting field goal attempts of distances exceeding 40 yards on five different occasions (including a school-record 49-yarder at the onset of 2025), there is little doubt that he possesses the leg strength commensurate with that of the elite kickers among the FBS (college) and NFL ranks!
Forever mindful and diligent in keeping the “student” prominent in the term “student-athlete”, Jones presently boasts an unweighted 98.06 Grade Point Average despite immensely challenging himself with a curriculum that will witness him earn advanced placement/collegiate credit in 13 different subjects (Biology, Chemistry, Physics C: Mechanics, Calculus BC, and Computer Science as a mere sample)!!!
To boot (some pun intended), he’d registered an exceptional score of 1560 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT); with the breakdown taking the form of 790 in mathematics and 770 in the verbal section of the examination…
He has been a recipient of the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award!!
The antithesis of a “2:50 piker” (someone who goes home right after the final bell); when not occupied by the demands of the gridiron, the Long Islander remains fully enthralled within the campus/community life, as evident through his Vice-Presidential titles for the following extracurricular activities—Math Club, Application Development Club, and Peer Tutors!!!
Devoted to giving freely of and utilizing any spare time productively; Jones has put his energy into the progression of dermatology by conducting PCR experiments under the guidance/mentorship of Stony Brook University personnel!
And as an added bullet point to a well-rounded vita; Jones also holds a black belt in the martial arts discipline of taekwondo; thus meaning that pigskins are not the only elements in which he excels at kicking!
The destination of his next chapter not yet finalized/confirmed at the time of this profile’s publication; from combing through his social media; it needs not be said that the Ivy League has very much courted him!
The first representative from Chaminade to receive the Peters’ trophy since 2019 (Liam Brown; Naval Academy); wherever the future takes him; we hope that this esteemed commendation brings out the best in Jones the way it has done for several of his Crimson & Gold recipient brethren during the past two decades—Thomas Mansfield (2006; U.S. Naval Academy), Chris Dooley (2008; Yale), Andrew D’Ambrosio (2009; Cornell), and Frank Tangredi (2016; Harvard)!