Grootegoed Takes Home Top Award

Orange County's top high school football player was honored as the best prep player in Southern California during an awards ceremony Tuesday night at The Times' offices in Costa Mesa.

Matt Grootegoed of Mater Dei, The Times player of the year in Orange County, received the Glenn Davis Award as the Southland's top player before a gathering of 150 at The Times Community Room.

Rich Saul, a six-time all-pro as center for the Los Angeles Rams, was the guest speaker at the ceremony, which honored the 24 players who were named first-team All-Orange County by The Times.

Other major award winners were Terry Henigan of Irvine as coach of the year, Jason Whieldon of Orange Lutheran as back of the year and Joe McGuire of Servite as lineman of the year.