MARQUETTE — Newberry wide receiver Jeff Rahilly has had a solid football career and now he’s capped it off with a huge award.

After helping lead the Indians to another playoff berth, Rahilly was named Small School Offensive Player of the Year at the annual Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

A 5-foot-10, 180-pound speedster, Rahilly was also named to the All-U.P. Dream Team and the All-Mid-Eastern Football Conference team after compiling 34 catches for 964 yards and 11 touchdowns.

“Jeff is very well-deserving of this award,” Newberry head coach George Sevarns said.

“He was probably our best athlete on the field and not only does he play football, but he also plays Triple-A hockey (with the Soo Indians).

“He’s definitely a go-getter and works hard at everything he does.”

When asked what makes Rahilly so special, Sevarns says they are several things, but ultimately it comes down to him doing what he’s supposed to do.

“He’s got some good speed and he always gets where he needs to be and get open,” Sevarns said.

“Once he is open, he brings in almost everything thrown to him.

“He’s also very coachable and gives everything he has out there. He deserves everything he gets.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.