Search is on for San Diego County’s most inspirational high school football player

Nominations are being accepted for the 2015 Dr Pepper Most Inspirational Player Award that will be presented at December’s Holiday Bowl game.

For the sixth straight year, Dr Pepper and the Holiday Bowl are teaming up to reward a deserving high school student-athlete who might often be overlooked.

The program aims to recognize the unsung heroes of local high school football teams.  The award seeks a San Diego County high school football player who, through their presence, actions and words of encouragement, serves as an inspirational example to their teammates.

This individual might often be overlooked on the field, yet inspires his teammates and coaches through his commitment, positive attitude and willingness to persevere through adversity.

The winner of the Dr Pepper Most Inspirational Player Award will be presented a $2,000 scholarship during an on-field presentation at the Holiday Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 30, at Qualcomm Stadium. All applications must be received by Dec. 4.

All San Diego County junior or senior football players are eligible for the award. Visit SanDiegoBowlGames.com for more information and for the application form to nominate a student-athlete.

Nomination submissions should include 250 words or less about why a player should be chosen for the award.

Applications may also be mailed to the following address: Holiday Bowl, Attn: Dr Pepper Most Inspirational Player, 9449 Friars Road, Suite L-55, San Diego, CA 92108.

Mar Vista High School’s Hugh Anthony was the recipient of last year’s award. Now a senior, Anthony leads the Mariners (7-2) with three interceptions (check).

The Dr Pepper Most Inspirational Player is supported by JackFM and the Kiwanis Club of San Diego.

For more information, call (619) 283-5808.

Premier match-up set between Navy and Notre Dame

San Diego Bowl Game Association officials have announced that the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will play in a regular-season college football game at Qualcomm Stadium on Oct. 27, 2018.

“Our mission is to put on championship caliber events and we do that every December with our two bowl games – the Holiday Bowl and San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl,” SDBGA President Kimberley Layton explained. “When we had the opportunity to host a traditional matchup with two football programs of such legendary status, we jumped at the chance.”

“The Naval Academy has played in the SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl four times and each of their visits has been very successful,” Layton said “We are excited to bring the Midshipmen back to San Diego to play the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. We expect thousands of supporters from both teams to travel to our region to support their team which means an economic boost to our region.”

Navy and Notre Dame have met on the gridiron 88 times dating back to 1927. Last year the Fighting Irish defeated the Midshipmen 49 – 39. Notre Dame leads the series 75-12-1. The last time Navy won was in 2010.

“We are excited about the opportunity to play a regular-season game against Notre Dame in San Diego, which is a city filled with Navy and Marine Corps service men and women,” Navy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk explained. “The partnership the Naval Academy has had with the bowl administration in San Diego has been extraordinary for well over a decade.

“This special matchup with Notre Dame will mirror in many ways the highly successful event format that has brought great success to the economy, city, and community over the years. We are so very pleased to bring the Navy family together again in this wonderful environment for what is always a highly competitive match up against two institutions with unparalleled national respect and tradition. We are all looking forward to 2018.”

Notre Dame has never played in San Diego. This will be the first meeting between these two teams west of the Mississippi River.

A timetable for ticket sales will be announced at a future date. However, Holiday Bowl and SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl ticket members will have first priority to purchase tickets. To be placed on a waiting list, or to inquire about bowl game tickets, call (619) 283-5808 or visit SanDiegoBowlGames.com.

This year’s Poinsettia Bowl game is scheduled Dec. 23 and will pit a team from the Mountain West Conference against a team from the Mid-American Conference.

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