LAKE HUNTINGTON – On a frigid Sunday afternoon, players, coaches, and parents gathered in the school cafeteria for the Bulldogs’ annual end-of-season football banquet, celebrating a successful 7–2 campaign and honoring the seniors who helped shape the program.

The event marked both a celebration and a farewell, as seniors reflected on four years of dedication to the Bulldogs. Pride in the season’s accomplishments was balanced with the disappointment of falling short of a third consecutive sectional championship.

Longtime head coach Ron Bauer praised his team’s resilience after graduating key contributors from last season.

“We lost some really good players and came in young,” Bauer said. “But what I liked about this team is how they stepped up—especially our linemen. Jesse Milk did a great job stepping in at quarterback, Dominic DePaolo came in as a sophomore and started both ways, and Colin Ebert and Todd Walter were solid all year. And of course, Alec Hubert—he’s an unbelievable runner and linebacker with college interest.”

Bauer compared Hubert’s ability to one of the top players he has coached.

“A few years ago, I had a kid who won the High School Heisman, and Alec is right up there with him in terms of vision and ability to make cuts,” Bauer said. “We were so dominant in many games that he didn’t have to play much in the second half.”

Despite the season ending with a high-scoring sectional loss to Eldred, Bauer remained proud of his team’s effort.

“We were trying to win sectionals for the third year in a row,” he said. “Eldred had a good team, and we just couldn’t pull it out. Overall, I’m happy with the season.”

The banquet also featured the announcement of Section IX honors. Alec Hubert, Jesse Milk, and Dylan Lockwood were named First Team All-Section, while Todd Walter, Colin Ebert, and Dominic DePaolo earned Honorable Mention recognition.

Five seniors—Alec Hubert, Marcello Wasner, Dylan Lockwood, Sam Lieberman, and Daniel Taranin—were recognized for their contributions to the program. Special coaches’ awards were presented to Todd Walter (Coaches Award), Dominic DePaolo (Ironman Award), Daniel Taranin (Most Improved), Sam Lieberman (Most Dedicated), and Jesse Milk (Team Leadership Award).

The ceremony also included appreciation for the players’ mothers, highlighted by special recognition of Christina Hubert, as well as acknowledgments for the Bulldogs’ coaching staff—Ryan Joyce Turner, Ronj Padu, Justin Diehl, and head coach Ron Bauer.

Following the banquet, Hubert reflected on the season and his time as a Bulldog.

“It was a good year,” Hubert said. “We won a lot of games, but it didn’t end the way we wanted. Everyone fought hard, and I learned that dedication goes a long way. We work from June through November, and that hard work paid off.”

Asked about his most memorable game, Hubert pointed to the loss against Eldred, where he scored six touchdowns and rushed for more than 300 yards.

Quarterback Jesse Milk echoed the team-first sentiment.

“It was a total team effort,” Milk said. “Everyone played together, and our program is only getting better. I want to bring leadership and energy to the younger guys next year. We didn’t finish the way we wanted, but I’m proud of this team.”

While the Bulldogs will lose their star running back in Hubert, the energy surrounding the program remains strong. They’re hungry, motivated, and ready to chase another winning season as they look to return to their winning tradition next fall.