Army looked West for leadership, Witten Award overlooked West

PHOTO (Army Athletics/Danny Wild/USA Today): Amadeo West celebrates a tackle at the line of scrimmage in the Army-Navy Game fog shrouding Michie Stadium. By TOM SHANAHAN College football is notorious for presenting awards too soon. The Heisman Trophy, the highest profile award, offers too many examples. The Heisman winner flops in a bowl game. Meanwhile, the runner-up has a big day. Take 2005 for example. USC’s Reggie Bush winning may not be an egregious example, but it is…

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West Point’s ‘firstie’ right tackle completes Oceanside hat trick

PHOTO: J.B. Hunter (55). By TOM SHANAHAN James and Lulu Hunter call their son J.B. “the softie of the family.” Their term of affection is understandable only if you recognize they’re retired non-commissioned Marines. They embraced the Corps’ creed as the military’s toughest branch. J.B., though, certainly doesn’t look like a “softie” on first impression. He’s Army football’s third-year starting right tackle, a 6-foot-4, 290-pounder. As for nicknames, he prefers “firstie,” the class designation for West Point seniors…

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