The finalists in the running for the Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation's MVP Center of Excellence Award were honored at a special breakfast event Saturday.

The award is bestowed to offensive linemen in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana Counties, as well as Summit and Stark Counties who excel not only on the football field, but in the classroom and the community too.

This year's winner was Matthew DeSciscio of Walsh Jesuit High School, which is located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

The award pays homage to Mark Pelini, who was killed in a car crash in Indiana back in October of 2022.

Mark is the nephew of Youngstown State University Football Coach Bo Pelini. Coach Pelini told 21 News this award is to honor those who had the same outlook on football, faith and life as his nephew.

"[Mark] was a young man who had multiple interests. Obviously one of them being football and the development of kids. [And] he was coaching at the end there. This is something to give back to the community from the foundation," Coach Pelini said.

Coach Pelini went on to say this will become an annual award.

The complete list of finalists is as follows:

- Dalton Johnson, East Palestine (Head Coach: Michael Demster) 

- Mikey Eckman, Salem (Head Coach: Ron Johnson) 

- Hayden Martin, West Branch (Head Coach: Tim Cooper) 

- Weston Little, Sandy Valley (Head Coach: Brian Gamble) 

- Andrew Brian, South Range (Head Coach: Dave Rach) 

- Teigan Essig, Jackson (Head Coach: Jay Rohr) 

- Nolan McKendry, Green (Head Coach: Mark Geis) 

- Ethan Laslo, JFK Catholic (Head Coach: Damon Buente) 

- Nate Cross, Archbishop Hoban (Head Coach: Tim Tyrell) 

- Matthew DeSciscio, Walsh Jesuit (Head Coach: Nick Alexander) 

- Jymier Burrage, Valley Christian (Head Coach: Andrew Hake) 

- Deandre Campbell, Buchtel (Head Coach: Bryan Williams)