FLEMING ISLAND - Fleming Island Dreadnaughts youth football player Conner McKay’s battle with a lethal brain tumor and the community rapport the 10-year old had in the Fleming Island football atmosphere garnered more attention with the story written by Clay Today Sports Editor Randy Lefko just days after McKay passed away from his ailment has earned the Association of Community Publishers Best of Best national award for best sports article, as per a press release after Thursday’s Awards Presentation in Virginia.

“I called Sean McKay, Conner’s dad, and we cried a bit before I thanked him for sharing his son’s story with me and allowing me to write about his bravery and courage in the shadow of death,” said Lefko, noting McKay passed from the DIPG brain tumor on Jan. 31, 2022. “I’m humbled to know that his story will be read around the country and maybe give hope to someone going through a similiar tragic situation.”

The Association of Community Publishers represents publishers of community papers from coast to coast in the United States and including Canada, reaching millions of homes on a weekly, biweekly or monthly basis. These papers are united in providing the best advertising coverage to their clients and valuable advertising information to their strong and loyal readership base.