A dozen boys have been selected as finalists for the Billy Schoppy Award, presented to the athlete from the Cape-Atlantic League Class of 2025 who had the most outstanding high school sports career. The awards originated in 2001 with Jason Kaye of The Flagship Resort in Atlantic City sponsoring them. In 2012, Dave Talarico and Schoppy’s, the area’s finest trophy and award creator, became the sponsor. And in 2017 the award was changed to The Billy Schoppy Award as a memorial to the son of William Schoppy, who created the business in 1921.

This year’s 12 finalists are from eight different CAL schools and were selected based on their four years of high school sports. Previous winners have included single-sport athletes who were dominant and athletes who played two, three or four sports with success. A complete list of previous winners, plus finalists for each previous year, is available HERE.

The 2025 finalists are, in alphabetical order:

MAX ADELIZZI (Middle Township), Region wrestling champion with school record 123 wins who led team to South Jersey title. Hit .373 on championship baseball team. Headed to Rowan.

LOTZEIR BROOKS (Millville), statistically the best wide receiver in NJ history – more than 4,500 career receiving yards & 67 receiving TDs. Also great defender and return back. Going to Alabama.

JAKE EDWARDS (Hammonton), basketball all star. Fastest CAL runner in track, won the 100 meters at CAL Meet. Two-way player in football. He will attend Rowan.

MASON FORTE (Holy Spirit), all time-CAL football leader in kicking points (200). Basketball all star. Defender in lacrosse. Headed to Old Dominion.

TOM GRIMLEY (Ocean City), was team’s leading tackler in football. Champion in wrestling who reach the state finals. Headed to Kutztown.

ANTHONY LIAKHNOVICH (Hammonton), two-way starter in football. won national indoor championship in shot put. He is committed to Princeton.

JULIAN ONESTI (St. Augustine), all star in both 100 & 200 meters, ran 3rd fastest 100 in NJ. two-way player in football. Headed to Rider.

MANDEL PETTIFORD (Cedar Creek), all star in football (150 career tackles, 50 for losses). South Jersey champion in the discus. Headed to Monmouth.

KHAJUAN ROSEBOROUGH (Atlantic City), football all star (passed for 2109 yards, ran for 803, 31 total TDs). Basketball all star (1020 points, 142 assists). Going to West Chester.

EVAN TAYLOR (Ocean City), 4-year baseball all star who set 10 school records including .514 average in a season, 104 career hits, 101 RBIs and 21 home runs. Headed to Alabama.

JAMAL WALLACE (Millville), all star in football (1251 rushing yards, 24 TDs). state champion in discus, broke 55-year old Group 4 discus record. Headed to Charlestown.

The names of the 12 girls finalists were released Tuesday. You can see them HERE.

The two individual winners of the Billy Schoppy Awards will be announced next week.