Sports

Football: Bitzer wins Division II MVP honors

DANIEL DE MATO FILE PHOTO | Riverhead quarterback Ryan Bitzer was named the Division II Most Valuable Player for 2012.

Riverhead quarterback Ryan Bitzer won the Division II Most Valuable Player trophy at Monday night’s all-county dinner to wrap up the 2012 season. Bitzer, who led the Blue Waves into the Long Island championship, was one of four Riverhead players to earn all-county honors.

Wide receiver Quinn Funn, running back/defensive back Jeremiah Cheatom and linebacker Nick Ross also received all-county honors.

Bitzer threw for 1,946 yards this season with 21 passing touchdowns. He completed 60 percent of his passes while also rushing for nine touchdowns. In the county championship win over North Babylon he threw three touchdowns and rushed for one.

Most of Bitzer’s passes this season went to Funn. He hauled in 51 passes this season for 989 yards. He scored 16 touchdowns, including a defensive score on a fumble recovery in the county final as part of a four-touchdown performance.

Cheatom carried the load on the ground for Riverhead with 1,898 rushing yards. He did it on 265 carries for an average of 7.16 yards per carry.

Ross tallied 71 tackles on defense for the Blue Waves.