La Salle’s Kief, Ryle’s Savage Honored With ‘That’s My Boy’ Awards

MONTGOMERY—La Salle offensive lineman Max Kief and Ryle two-way standout Jacob Savage were celebrated Thursday night as the 59th Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet, hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation, unveiled its premier honorees at the original Montgomery Inn.

Kief received the Southwest Ohio “That’s Our Boy” award, named in memory of longtime Cincinnati Post writer Joe Quinn. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound senior captained a Lancer front that averaged 5.4 yards per carry, piled up more than 2,600 rushing yards and cleared the way for 30 touchdowns during the 2025 season. A first-team All-Ohio selection, Kief also boasts a 4.0 GPA in La Salle’s LSI program, is a National Merit Scholar, class officer, Key Club member and Big Brothers volunteer. He has signed to play for the Miami RedHawks.

“Max is a worker and competes at the highest level,” head coach Pat McLaughlin said. “As a captain he led by example and led a very physical and tough offensive line.”

Kief becomes the fourth Lancer to earn the honor, following Zach Branam (2021), Joe Burger (2012) and Ryan Murphy (1994).

Across the river, the Northern Kentucky “That’s My Boy” award—named for Covington Catholic graduate and 9/11 victim Brian P. Williams—went to Indiana University signee Jacob Savage. The senior was named MaxPreps Kentucky Player of the Year, KHSAA 6A Player of the Year and claimed the Paul Hornung Award as the state’s top prep player.

Savage powered Ryle to the Class 6A state semifinals, rushing for 1,222 yards and 24 touchdowns while recording 112 tackles at linebacker. He departs as Ryle’s career leader in both rushing yards and tackles and served as a three-year team captain. Off the field he is senior class president, competes in track and participates in DECA and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“Indiana is getting more than a player; they are getting a fantastic citizen and person,” head coach Mike Engler said.

Savage is the sixth Raider to capture the award, joining Gabe Savage (2022), Jake Chisholm (2018), Ryan Woolf (2015), Tate Nichols (2010) and Scott Gray (2007).

The banquet also saluted four local collegiate scholar-athletes—Cincinnati’s Jonathan Thompsen, Thomas More’s Cam Weil, Mount Saint Joseph’s Nicholas Paff and Miami’s Silas Walters—for excellence on the field, in the classroom and on campus. Greg Bailie earned the Lifetime Achievement Award after 54 years in coaching, while UC Associate AD for Football Operations John Widecan received the Contribution to Amateur Football Award. Chapter president Ron Corradini Jr. was similarly recognized for his service to amateur football.