The Aberdeen Central football team has been honored for its work in the classroom.

The Golden Eagles were one of 62 teams nationwide and the only one from South Dakota to be recognized during the inaugural National Football Foundation National High School Academic Excellence Award.

Central coach Scott Svendsen said the football coaches associations in Texas and Nebraska spearheaded the project. Svendsen, who returned to South Dakota last season after coaching in Texas, is still a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association and received information on the award.

He noticed the Eagles met the credentials and got the green light from Central and state officials to send in information.

Svendsen said his players are pretty excited about gaining the national recognition.

“We have a good bunch of kids. Academics are really important to them,” Svendsen said. “They take pride in that and I’m thankful that they take pride in that, because that’s something that we as a coaching staff emphasize. This is why they’re here, obviously, in school and they get an opportunity to compete for their school, but academics is the primary reason that they’re here.”

Svendsen said that while the award reflects the work the players put in throughout the school year, it also mirrors the culture and values of the community.

“I think that’s a reflection of your community and of your school and the things that they’re trying to accomplish,” Svendsen said.