Conboy Award gaining cred

The Tony Conboy award has only been in existence three years. But it is gaining quite the pedigree.
Named after Tony Conboy, a longtime local sports writer for The Herald before he passed away in 2008, the award is handed out annually to Manatee County's best senior football player as voted by coaches, media and a member of the community.
This year it went to Mike Blakely (above), Manatee's running back who is headed to Florida.
Last year's winner, Manatee quarterback Brion Carnes, signed with Nebraska.
And the first player to win the award, Palmetto defensive back Kedric Johnson in '08, went to Florida.
That's three awards for three players who each went to BCS conference schools. In other words, next year's winner, whomever it may be, will find himself in good company.
And that's the mark of a good award.