The Wildcats varsity football team has been recognized by the Riverhead News-Review with a People of the Year Award.

According to the publication, the team earned the award for its “perseverance through tragedy and fighting spirit to honor the memory of a fallen teammate, capped by a storybook run to a championship.” Following the untimely death of teammate Tom Cutinella, the team ended their season with a perfect 12-0 and won the Class IV Long Island Championship title.

Additionally, the team was awarded the Fight Like Dylan award, which honors Dylan Rebeor, a high school football player who died from cancer in 2010. Since Dylan’s passing, Russell Athletic honors his memory with the award and a $50,000 uniform and equipment grant to a high school athletic team that has triumphed in the face of diversity. The award was presented to Athletic Director Mark Passamonte in December.

To read the article and watch a video about the team’s perseverance, click here.