The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame recently announced that Hemet High School in Hemet, California, has been named the 2024-25 recipient of the NFF Hatchell Cup, presented by Bob’s Steak & Chop House. The award recognizes the Bulldogs as the top high school football team in the nation for excellence in the classroom, on the field and in the community, and it comes with a $10,000 donation from Bob’s to support the football program.
“Hemet High School’s selection as the 2025 recipient of the NFF Hatchell Cup is a testament to their commitment to excellence in every facet of student-athlete life,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “This award recognizes not just their achievements on the field, but their dedication in the classroom and their impact in the community. Their ability to balance academic success with athletic performance and meaningful service embodies the values we celebrate with this award. We congratulate Coach Jeff Galloway, his staff, and the entire Hemet community on this well-earned honor.”
Hemet was selected from the 65 teams announced January 29 as the state winners of the 2024-25 NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards, Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, from their respective divisions of play. Hemet and the state winners, who created the pool of finalists for the NFF Hatchell Cup, were selected by the individual state high school coaches associations from nominations submitted by each school’s head coach. A national selection committee subsequently chose Hemet as the winner of the 2025 NFF Hatchell Cup. The NFF will make the official presentation of the trophy at a time and place to be determined this spring.
“Congratulations to the players, coaches, and community for fostering an environment where both academics and athletics can thrive,” said James Vondra, the president for the Southern California Football Coaches Association. “Hemet High School has achieved an outstanding milestone by being recognized for both their athletic prowess and academic excellence. This honor reflects the dedication and hard work of student-athletes who have balanced success on the field with excellence in the classroom. Their selection as this year’s Hatchell Cup recipient is a testament to their discipline, teamwork, and commitment to success.”
Led by Hemet Head Coach Jeff Galloway, the 2024 Bulldog team amassed an impressive 3.55 GPA in the classroom. Of the 53 players on the roster, the team placed 27 on the school’s Honor Roll, with 17 players enrolled in Advanced Placement and honors classes. Four-year starting quarterback Draven Lopez not only tops the team with a 4.57 GPA but the entire school as Hemet’s current valedictorian.
On the field, the Bulldogs finished 10-2 reaching California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division 8 Playoff Quarterfinals. In the first round of the 2024 playoffs, Hemet avenged their only regular season loss, defeating league-rival Rancho Christian (CA). Over the past four seasons, they compiled a 31-15 record, two Sunbelt League championships, and three playoff appearances. Lopez joined fellow captain Tyler Trout in being named to the All-CIF Southern Section Division 8 team, with a total of ten players earning All-League honors.
Active in the community, the team helped stage a “Super Kids Bowl” for elementary special education students from across the district and a SPED Prom for students with special needs. They served as members of the Associated Student Body and Plus Forum/Student Leadership. The players also engaged in a wide range of other activities, including the jazz band, marching band, mock trial, ROTC, sports medicine, theatre, and tutoring.
Administrators at the school who played a role in the team’s all-around success include Principal Dr. Jeff Franks, Athletics Director William Ray and Head Football Coach Jeff Galloway.
“Our football team continues to show effort, hard work, and dedication both on the field and in our classroom,” wrote Principal Franks when nominating the team. “They help set a positive tone for our school’s culture and climate and exemplify the term ‘student athlete.'”
The NFF announced the creation of the awards in February 2021. The awards represent the first nationwide recognition honoring individual high school football teams for excellence in the classroom. Click here for the past honorees and recipients of the Hatchell Cup.
Eligibility requirements for the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards, Presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the NFF Hatchell Cup, include:
- A minimum cumulative team GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Superior academic application and performance.
- Successful football season.
This season marks the third year that Bob’s Steak & Chop House has served as the presenting sponsor of the NFF Hatchell Cup. Since its 1993 opening in Dallas, Texas, Bob’s Steak & Chop House has proudly offered the best cuts of meat available to guests, making the name “Bob’s” synonymous with a best-in-class steakhouse experience. Over the years, the restaurant has built upon the reputation that it earned at the original Dallas location by opening restaurants across the nation, providing guests a first-class experience no matter where they call home.
“Hemet High School and all the finalists share one important quality…a deep-rooted and daily commitment to excellence,” said Bob Sambol, founder of Bob’s Steak & Chop House. “The NFF has long believed that excellence could and should exist on the field, in the classroom and throughout the community. We are honored to be the presenting sponsor of the NFF Hatchell Cup and look forward to celebrating the Hemet Bulldogs.”
The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation will also honor Hemet High School, with the placement of a brick in The Brick Plaza, located outside of Gate A at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
The NFF Hatchell Cup is named in honor of NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. Since taking over the helm of the NFF in 2005, Hatchell has overseen numerous programs expanding the NFF’s reach and impact as it continues to promote the scholar-athlete ideal. His career in athletics administration spans more than five decades and includes countless accomplishments, including serving as the first commissioner of the Big 12 Conference and holding the top jobs at the Southwest Conference and the Orange Bowl.
For more information on the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards or to learn how your state high school coaches association can participate next season, please contact the NFF at HSnominations@footballfoundation.com.
