Fossati named 2013-2014 Gatorade Player of the year

St. Joseph Montvale do-it-all player Mark Fossati was named the 2013-2014 Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year on Thursday, Dec. 5. Fossati has made his presence known on the field whether he is running the ball, blocking, kicking, tackling, managing the defense, or whatever else it takes. Much of St. Joe’s (10-1) success this year as a national powerhouse can be contributed to Fossati. He has played his last six or so games with a bad shoulder that he injured on Oct. 26 vs. Paramus Catholic.

Fossati had 8 rushes for 66 yards and a touchdown during St. Joe’s loss to Don Bosco on Thanksgiving. Statistics are not what define Fossati’s contribution to his team. He does the dirty work. On offense, Fossati shares the rushing duties with Boston College commit Sherman Alston and also plays fullback. He has helped the St. Joe’s defense dominate as a force in the middle at linebacker and always seems to be making plays in the backfield. Fossati also holds the St. Joe’s record for most extra points all time with more than 150.

Photo by 50 Yard Line Photos

This is not the first individual award Fossati has earned for his efforts on the field. The Bergen Record named him their Defensive Player of the Year after his junior season. Fossati is only the second player from St. Joseph Montvale to win the Gatorade New Jersey Player of the Year.

As the season comes to a close this weekend, Fossati is still in the midst of recruiting. He has offers from Towson, Colgate, and Lafayette. Penn State has offered him as a preffered-walk on. He is still waiting to hear from schools like Villanova, Princeton, and Yale to find out whether they will extend a tender. For now, Fossati is focused on winning the Non-Public, Group 3 title at MetLife Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. vs. Pope John.