Elmira Express senior Brady Keefe captures Ernie Davis Award

Andrew Legare, Elmira Star-Gazette
·3 min read
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Brady Keefe's excellence on both sides of the ball and his efforts outside of the playing field have led to him becoming the sixth different Elmira Express football player to capture the Ernie Davis Award.

Keefe, a senior wingback/linebacker, received the award Thursday during a ceremony that was part of the Elmira Kiwanis Club's luncheon at the Clarion Inn in Elmira.

Previous Express winners of the award since the football program's start in 2011 were Trevor Maycumber (2011), two-time winner Jerry McPeak (2012 and 2014), Eli Thomas (2013), Allaah Sessions (2015) and Dan Fedor (2017).

More on the nominees:Nominees for 2022 Ernie Davis Award announced

Area media, coaches and administrators vote on the award, which goes to a player from Chemung County schools Elmira, Horseheads, Thomas A. Edison and Elmira Notre Dame.

Marshall Winkky of Horseheads and DeShon Cook of Thomas A. Edison, both seniors, were also nominated by their coaches. Notre Dame did not field a team this season.

Davis, an Elmira Free Academy graduate, won the Heisman Trophy for Syracuse University in 1961. He died of leukemia in 1963 and the award in his name has been handed out annually since.

Keefe stands out in several ways

Keefe began high school football as a sophomore after previously competing at the Small Fry level. He started for the Express at the varsity level the last two seasons after one season of junior varsity.

He led Elmira's prolific running game this season with 1,267 yards and 12 touchdowns on 156 carries, along with nine 2-point conversions. Keefe caught a 71-yard touchdown pass and his numbers on returns included 202 yards and a touchdown.

Elmira's Brady Keefe (8) sacks Binghamton quarterback Musiah Young and forces a fumble recovered by the Express during a 44-22 win in a Section 4 Class AA football semifinal Nov. 4, 2022 at the Thomas J. Hurley Athletic Complex at Elmira High School.
Elmira's Brady Keefe (8) sacks Binghamton quarterback Musiah Young and forces a fumble recovered by the Express during a 44-22 win in a Section 4 Class AA football semifinal Nov. 4, 2022 at the Thomas J. Hurley Athletic Complex at Elmira High School.

On defense, Keefe led the Express in tackles for the second year in a row with 59, including 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss. He forced three fumbles.

Keefe carries a 94 classroom average and has contributed to Strong Kids Safe Kids and Elmira Small Fry as a volunteer. He has worked as a lifeguard at the Town Hall in West Elmira.

Ernie Davis Award winner Brady Keefe, left, with Elmira head coach Jimmy McCauley on Dec. 15, 2022 after the Express' Keefe won the Ernie Davis Award.
Ernie Davis Award winner Brady Keefe, left, with Elmira head coach Jimmy McCauley on Dec. 15, 2022 after the Express' Keefe won the Ernie Davis Award.

"He is a tremendous player and even better person," Elmira head coach Jimmy McCauley said. "He knows the importance of hard work and is willing to put forth the effort to accomplish his goals. He was the first on the field and the last one off, all on his own.

"His selfless personality and great character, combined with his athletic ability, remind me of the great Ernie Davis."

Ernie Davis Award past winners1963: Ray Fratarcangelo, Elmira Free Academy1964: Mike Malone, Elmira Notre Dame1965: Jack Leonard, Notre Dame1966: Joel Ramich, Notre Dame1967: Charley Collins, Elmira Southside1968: Dana Carpenter, EFA1969: Jim Savino, Southside1970: Mark Riopko, Thomas A. Edison1971: Sam Crumpton, Southside1972: Jim Greene, EFA1973: A.J. Nassar, Notre Dame1974: Jamie Krum, Southside1975: Brad Clark, Horseheads1976: George Swan, EFA; and Matt Riordan, Notre Dame1977: Steve Ramich, Notre Dame1978: Bruce Stayments, EFA1979: Marty Chalk, EFA; and Eric Rice, Edison1980: Blaine Fowler, EFA1981: Tony Prettyman, EFA1982: Pete Curkendall, Southside1983: Pete Curkendall, Southside1984: Dan Callahan, Southside1985: Jim Polcyn, Notre Dame1986: Joe Paradis, Edison1987: Bob Grosvenor, Notre Dame1988: Bert Conklin, Horseheads1989: Kevin Murphy, EFA1990: Geoff Woodworth, Notre Dame1991: D'Andre Fulmer, EFA1992: John Maio, Notre Dame1993: Orlando Smith, EFA1994: Joel Stephens, Notre Dame1995: Josh Trexler, EFA1996: Brad Polk, Notre Dame1997: Nate Watkins, Horseheads1998: Matt Tunison, Horseheads; Chris Mallette, Edison1999: Cory Kilpatrick, Notre Dame2000: Cory Kilpatrick, Notre Dame2001: Pat Manuel, Notre Dame2002: Paul Harnas, Edison2003: Joel Coon-Ribble, Elmira2004: Matt Manganaro, Horseheads2005: Pat Schweiger, Edison; Zack Manuel, Notre Dame2006: Luke Herrington, Horseheads2007: Mike Ficarro, Southside2008: Matt Buice, Notre Dame2009: Terrell Brown, EFA2010: Jordan Shay, Southside2011: Trevor Maycumber, Elmira2012: Tom Agan, Notre Dame; Glen Watson, Horseheads; Jerry McPeak, Elmira2013: Eli Thomas, Elmira2014: Jerry McPeak, Elmira2015: Allaah Sessions, Elmira2016: Derrick Stark, Notre Dame2017: Dan Fedor, Elmira2018: Maurice Rankins Jr., Horseheads2019: Gavin Elston, Horseheads2021 spring: Ryan Scott, Horseheads2021 fall: Riley Loomis, Horseheads2022: Brady Keefe, Elmira

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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Brady Keefe of Elmira High winner of 2022 Ernie Davis Award