Columbus North senior Zac Horn, left, won a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award. He is pictured with coach Logan Haston Sunday at the Indianapolis Colts Farm Bureau Football Facility in Indianapolis.
Submitted photo
After missing all of his junior football season, Zac Horn was a record-setting quarterback for Columbus North as a senior.
But Horn’s biggest honor so far came off the gridiron when was presented with a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award.
Horn was one of 14 senior football players from around the state who were honored at a banquet April 16 at the Indianapolis Colts’ Farm Bureau Football Facility.
“It was really nice, a really cool experience that they could have us out there for it,” Horn said.
Horn learned from football coach and assistant athletics director Logan Haston in February that he would receive the award.
“This young man has represented himself, his family, his community and Columbus North football in a first-class manner,” Haston said.
“Initially, I didn’t even know I was nominated,” Horn added. “I was going to an away basketball game, and he took me aside and told me that I had won the award.”
The National Football Foundation awards are based on 40 percent academic achievement, 40 percent athletic achievement and 20 percent community involvement. Horn carries slightly above a 4.0 GPA and is in the National Honor Society.
Columbus North quarterback Zac Horn drops back to pass in a sectional championship football game against Center Grove at Columbus North High School in Columbus, Ind., Friday, Nov. 4, 2022.
The Republic file photo
On the field, Horn completed 193 of 299 passes for 2,484 yards and a school-record 26 touchdowns in earning All-Conference Indiana honors. He also was a part of the Bull Dogs team that won its first boys basketball sectional title since 2013.
In the community, Horn mentored a younger student in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program through Foundation For Youth. For his senior project, he helped set up a heart screening clinic.
“I did notice a lot of the other kids that won the awards, they were involved in lots of clubs and things like that,” Horn said. “They kind of listed off our accomplishments, and I was hearing all these other guys’ awesome activities and grades, and I felt fortunate to be a part of that. The whole Bless family was there, so I got to see my old coaches, Tim Bless and Tyler Bless.”
Tim Bless’ brother and Tyler’s father Mark Bless, who recently retired as Avon coach, won the NFF Distinguished American Award.
Columbus North senior Zac Horn, left, won a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award.
Submitted photo
Horn plans to attend Indiana University and major in finance. He is planning to play intramural football and basketball.
Horn returned to the football field last summer after having surgery on the labrums in both hips the summer before his junior year.
“It was fantastic,” Horn said. “Coaches did a great job being patient with me and allowing me to work through all the rehab. I had so much fun with all my teammates after being away for a year. It was just a super senior year, and I couldn’t ask for anything else.”
