By Rich Fisher, Sports Editor
There may have been a greater day for Lawrence High football alumni, but you would be hard pressed to find one.
This past Saturday a pair of LHS graduates made their marks in college and professional football.
John Nalbone survived the final cut in the Miami Dolphins camp to make the team’s 53-man roster as the back-up tight end for a second straight year, while Brett Brackett caught eight passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns in Penn State’s 44-14 victory over Youngstown State.
”We’re really proud,” said Cardinals coach Rob Radice, who had both players at Lawrence. “My dad called me Sunday and said ‘Nalbone’s on the cover of the Times and Brackett’s on the cover of The Trentonian.’ I said ‘I’ll take that.’
”I texted Brett and said ‘It’s good to be you buddy.’ We saw his interview on TV, my kids know him. John’s little brother Mike is a sophomore on our team and he’s been saying all along he’s got a chance.”
Radice is hardly surprised at what either player is doing, as both displayed special qualities in high school.
”Those guys remind me of each other,” the coach said. “They’re both so hard working, always first in everything they did, such competitors.
”Both of them were team captains, both worked their tails off, both loved the game of football. They were the first ones on the field and last one’s off the field. They had an outstanding work ethic in weight room.
”Everything we did, it was ‘Yes sir, no sir.’ They were just great kids. Their approach to the game always all business. No nonsense.”
