'Aiea High senior Phillip Madriaga is among 50 national semifinalists for the High School Football Rudy Award, according to a press release from Trusted Sports.

Madriaga, a defensive back who was a member of Na Alii's varsity team, could not play this past season because of a spinal injury he suffered during practice for the state tournament from a season ago. He was diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which is when the spinal canal narrows, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerves. He risked paralysis if he were injured again, his physician told him.

Despite not being able to play, he still attended practice, serving sort like a student coach. He also is senior class president.

A selection committee will pick a winner, who gets a $10,000 academic scholarship, and two runners-up, who will each receive $5,000. A fan-voting favorite also will be awarded $5,000. Online voting may be made at www.highschoolrudyawards.com through Dec. 28.

The Rudy Award is named for Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, the inspiration for the movie Rudy, which was about a boy's dream to play football at Notre Dame despite not having the size or athletic ability to play at that level.

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