The New York Jets announced today that Joe Lato of Weston High School in Weston, Conn., has been named this week's recipient of the New York Jets High School Coach of the Week award. For his efforts, Lato will receive $1,000 to benefit the school's football program and he will be presented with a certificate from the Jets.
In its 12th year, this award is given to a coach in the tristate area who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve, and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to their community, their school and their student-athletes.
Lato is in his second season as head coach of the Trojans. Prior to Weston, he was an assistant coach at Masuk High School in Monroe, Conn., under John Murphy, who was one of the recipients of a 2005 Coach of the Week award. During his tenure at Masuk, Lato helped guide the team to league titles in 2000, '03 and '05 and the state finals in 2000 and '03. Lato is also in his fourth year as a physical education teacher at Weston.
Last Thursday night, the Trojans defeated the New Milford Green Wave, 34–7, snapping their 21-game losing streak. Weston will travel to face the Pomperaug Panthers on Friday at 7 p.m.
