Bellport Football Announces 2023 Hall of Fame Class

With the high school football season just around the corner, Bellport High School announced their class of 2023 Hall of Fame nominees.

In a press release obtained by the South Shore Press, former coach and Suffolk County Sports Hall of Famer Joe Cipp revealed the nominees for this year’s class as Norman Dillon (1980), Mike Pepe (2006), Jack Nickla (2008), Jimmy Morrell (2016), and DJ Trent (2018) will all be honored this year at Bellport’s Hall of Fame game in October.

“Stormin’” Norman Dillion was considered a key member of the 1980 team that went on to bring home the team’s first championship. He would also go on to play college football at the University of New Haven as a linebacker.

“(Dillon) was an absolute anchor on the offensive and defensive line for the Clippers in 1979 and again in 1980 capturing the program's first championship season,” read the press release.” (He) Paved the way for legendary running backs Paul Maurice and Rodney Cooke along with recording 138 tackles in the trenches as a leader for two seasons, Norman Dillon is a welcome addition to the Hall of Fame.”

Mike Pepe will be the second eldest member of this year's class and is one of three quarterbacks nominated for the Bellport Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

“Pepe was the Starting quarterback for back to back undefeated Suffolk County championships and an undefeated Long Island championship in 2005,” said the press release when discussing Pepe’s contributions to the program. “Mike passed for 2,125 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career ranked 5th and 2nd all-time respectively including an impressive 21-1 record spanning two seasons powering the most dominant offense in program history.”

Jimmy Morrell During a High School Practice File Photo

Pepe parlayed his high school gridiron success into a Division 1 opportunity at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

The second quarterback that will join Pepe in this year's Hall of Fame induction is none other than three sport star Jack Nickla.

While he was in high school, Nickla guided the Clippers to a Suffolk County Championship in 2007 while also garnering first team All-Long Island and third team All-State for his efforts.

“Jack led the team in scoring his senior year as quarterback and kicker,” read the press release. “Nickla still has the second longest field goal in program history (43 yards) and ranks 15th in career passing yards (861). He also has the 4th longest passing touchdown (91 yards) in school history.”

Nickla was also a superstar on the Lacrosse field as he was first team All-Long Island and received a scholarship to play for the University of Albany where he was named second team All Conference in the America East in 2013. He also earned two varsity letters in Basketball as a member of the Clippers.

The final quarterback that will be a part of the 2023 Hall of Fame class will be dual threat Jimmy Morrell. Morell would go on to be named 7th team All- State and 2nd team All-Long Island as a member of the football team.

A true dual threat quarterback amassing 1,100 career rushing yards with 20 touchdowns ranking 29th and 15th all-time,” said the press release. “His 1,737 career passing yards including 18 touchdowns ranked 6th and 7th all-time. He also scored 132 career points ranking 16th all-time in program history.”

Jack Nickla UAlbany Athletics

Morrell was one of the most electric athletes to hit the gridiron for the Clippers as he – Like Nickla – was a two sport superstar who would go on to see great success in Lacrosse as well. He would go on to play Lacrosse at Stony Brook University where he would be named Academic All-Conference in 2020.

The final nominee for the Bellport Football Hall of Fame is former bell-cow running back DJ Trent. Trent was one of the county’s best running backs during his time in high school as he was named to the All-State 6th team.

DJ Trent Playing for Cortland Cortland Athletics

“DJ Trent was a three year starting running back who ranks 4th in career rushing yards (2,318), 5th in career points scored (206), and 4th in career rushing touchdowns (29),” read the press release. “During his 2017 junior year, DJ scored four touchdowns in three separate games.”

The prolific Trent was also a two sport star as he would be named All-County in Track and Field. He would go on to play a year at Nassau Community College before eventually transferring to SUNY Cortland where he has been a key contributor in the run game and on special teams.

The ceremony will take place on October 14th during Bellport's home game vs. Northport at 12pm. There will also be a reception after the game at Painter's Restaurant located at 416 South Country Road in Brookhaven.