Palmer Ridge graduate Winn Howard was one of five football players from service academies to earn membership into the National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society.

Howard, a Navy linebacker, is scheduled to graduate in May before beginning his assignment with Marine Corps Ground.

Kicker Luke Strebel and offensive linemen Ernest McQuade and R.J. Slater were honored from Air Force.

In order to qualify for the Hampshire Honor Society, players must have completed their final year of eligibility, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher throughout their undergraduate career and be a starter or significant contributor throughout the 2017 season.

Howard played in all 13 games for the Navy this past season, starting four of the final five games.  He recorded 33 tackles, a fumble recovery and an interception.

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The Monument native carries a 3.21 GPA while majoring in political science.

Palmer Ridge, Howard's alma mater, is the same school that produced Air Force quarterback Isaiah Sanders, who ran 44 times for 196 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Utah State in the 2017 finale. It's also home to touted recruit Ty Evans, who is backed up at quarterback by Tyler Calhoun – son of Falcons coach Troy Calhoun.

Strebel leaves as Air Force’s all-time leading scorer with 254 points – edging the 252 scored by quarterbacks Dee Dowis and Beau Morgan. Strebel made all 131 of his PATs.

McQuade started five games for Air Force and Slater appeared in two contests.

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