Hammonton running back Jaiden Abrams and St. Joseph’s Chase Lomax were recipients of the 2020 New Jersey Mini Max High School Award last week. (THG/Dan Russoman.To purchase photos in The Gazette, call (609) 704-1940.)
HAMMONTON—A pair of local high school football players were among the 93 chosen as 2020 New Jersey Mini Max High School Award winners last week.
Hammonton High School’s Jaiden Abrams and St. Joseph Academy’s Chase Lomax received the honors from the Maxwell Football Club. Players were nominated by their coaches throughout the 2020 season and were evaluated based on criteria that included football performance, academics and community service.
The Maxwell Club will select one player from the group of Mini Max winners as the winner of the New Jersey Player of the Year. The New Jersey High School Player of the Year will be announced through a press release on January 25, 2021.
The New Jersey winner will join those from Pennsylvania and Delaware as candidates for the 35th annual Jim Henry Award, which honors the most outstanding player in the tri-state area. The Jim Henry Award winner will be announced Feb. 1.
“This year’s group of Mini Max winners were challenged by more than just their on-field opponents. They had to contend with circumstances of the pandemic impacting their families, communities, schools, teachers, academics, practices, coaches and games; yet they consistently rose to meet those challenges and performed extraordinary feats on the fields, in their classrooms and in their respective communities.
“On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and all the members of the Maxwell Football Club, we congratulate and salute this exceptional group of student-athletes on being 2020 Mini Max Award winners and wish them much success in their future endeavors,” Maxwell Football Club President Mark Dianno said in a release.
Abrams, a running back and defensive back for Hammonton, led the team in rushing in 2020 with 713 yards in just five games for the Blue Devils. He added two receptions for 41 yards, and finished his career as one of top rushers in Hammonton history.
Lomax, a linebacker and offensive lineman, helped St. Joseph post a 7-2 record in 2020. He recorded 41 tackles, including 11 for loss, and had three sacks and a fumble recovery. Lomax will continue his career at Long Island University in the fall.