Ken Lantzy Notebook | Helmet decals honor memory of Forest Hills coach Don Bailey
· Yahoo Sports
The North and South teams wore commemorative helmet decals to honor late Forest Hills High School coach Don Bailey, who died Feb. 8 at age 74.
The 1st Summit Bank Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic football game decals featured a large “375,” with the words, “Coach Bailey” and “Forever a Ranger” encircling the numeral.
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Don Bailey’s Forest Hills teams won 375 games and 10 PIAA District 6 championships in his 45 seasons as head coach.
The Rangers advanced to the Class 2A state championship game in 1994, falling in double overtime to Mount Carmel.
Brandon Bailey, the son of Don and Diane Bailey, coached the South to a 20-14 victory over the North in Friday’s Lantzy All-Star Classic played in front of more than 5,000 fans at Greater Johnstown High School's Trojan Stadium.
The official program book of the 55th Lantzy contest noted that Indiana County Technology Center produced the helmet decals.
Sam Zambanini
Sam Zambanini has played, coached and officiated in the 1st Summit Bank Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic. He is shown Friday, June 12, 2026, at Trojan Stadium in Johnstown, Pa.
Officially speaking: Retired Conemaugh Township Area High School football and baseball coach Sam Zambanini completed a rare trifecta Friday.
In his role as an official Friday, Zambanini added to his Lantzy resume that previously included appearances as a Conemaugh Township player and as an assistant coach/offensive coordinator.
Zambanini played guard and center for the South in the 1980 game.
Zambanini, who is an assistant baseball coach at Texas A&M International University, officiates multiple sports.
Coin toss: Former Ken Lantzy All-Star Classic organizer and co-director Ralph DeMarco participated in the ceremonial pre-game coin toss.
Ralph DeMarco retired from his Lantzy administrative duties after the 2025 game. He had been involved in the game for decades and also was a former assistant coach to his brother Phil DeMarco at Windber Area High School.
Scholarship winners: Continuing a tradition, the Ken Lantzy committee awarded scholarships to both the North and South teams.
• Arthur R. Palumbo Scholarship for Academic Excellence ($1,000): Brennan Lohr, Conemaugh Township.
• Robert P. Gardill Scholarship for Scholastic Achievement ($500): Dmitri Worthington, United Valley.
• Paul Shandor Memorial Award, North Team ($500): Brady Jones, Penn Cambria.
• David Rizzo Memorial Award, South Team ($500): Jakobe Harman, Everett Area.
• North team MVP awards ($500): Offensive line, Caleb Rodriguez, Bishop McCort Catholic (McCort-Carroll); offensive backs, Noah Lucko, Tussey Mountain; defensive line, Rocco Fetzko, Bishop McCort Catholic (McCort-Carroll); defensive backs, Dylan Depp, Penns Manor.
• South team MVP awards ($500): Offensive line, Manny Hill, Greater Johnstown; offensive backs, Jakobe Harman, Everett Area; defensive line, Joe McAneny, Richland; defensive backs, Ethan Luko, Blacklick Valley/United Valley.
• North Leadership Award: Brady Jones, Penn Cambria.
• South Leadership Award: Jakobe Harman, Everett.