For most of his high school career, Manhasset’s Jack Mulholland has thought of himself as a lacrosse player who also plays football in the autumn.

But after the senior season he just had, the running back/linebacker may have to change that assessment, because he just achieved an incredible gridiron honor.

For what’s believed to be a first for a Manhasset football player since 1996, Mulholland was chosen as a first-team all-state selection in Class A by the New York State Sportswriters Association. (Conor Denihan won the honor in 1996)

“It means a lot, being the first kid from here in almost 30 years to do it,” Mulholland said. “I was definitely not expecting it, but it’s a great honor and I am really excited about it.”

Mulholland was barely off the field for Manhasset, which went 7-3 in the fall and lost in the second round of the Class A playoffs to Carey.

The bulldozing fullback rushed for 996 yards and scored 18 touchdowns on offense, while on defense he made 72 tackles.

And he didn’t take special teams plays off, either; the 6-foot-3, 225-pounder made 28 of 29 extra points as well.

“He leads by example and is humble to a fault,” Manhasset head coach Jay Iaquinta said. “He’s a role model as to how to conduct and prepare to be a student-athlete.”
Mulholland, who has committed to play lacrosse at Dartmouth next year, said he was happy his team overachieved in the fall.

“A lot of people thought we wouldn’t be as good as we ended up doing, with a new quarterback and other new starters,” he said. “We had a great year and all the hard work paid off.”

Mulholland and his lacrosse mates will begin their quest for a third straight state title in March.

New Hyde Park two-way star Aidan Garvey was named second-team all-state as well.