Vote: Connecticut CIAC state championships football defensive player of the week (12/14/2023)
The Connecticut High School Football CIAC State Championships are complete as we finish up our Player of the Week polls.
As such, we have six athletes nominated this week for the SBLive Connecticut CIAC state championships football defensive player of the week award from December 9, and we ask you, the fans, to help decide who should indeed be the top athlete selected. Voting will conclude on Sunday, December 31st at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced at the beginning of 2024.
Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.
Here are the nominations:
Moran Michael, LB, North Haven: The 5-foot-7, 175-pound linebacker made a big impact in North Haven's 21-0 victory over Wilton for the Class MM state championship. Michael tallied four tackles, two sacks and forced a fumble in the win.
Ryan Barnard, DB, New Canaan: Barnard was flying all around the field for New Canaan in its thrilling 28-21 victory over Darien for the Class L state championship game. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound defender made 11 tackles, a sack and intercepted a pass.
Kenny Carter, LB, Hand: Whenever the Tigers were needing a big play, Carter was there to make one. The junior linebacker had a strong game for Hand, making eight tackles, forcing two fumbles and also recovering one in a 57-20 win over Rockville for the Class M state championship.
Max Maurillo, DB, Staples: Maurillo will go down in Staples Wreckers' football lore for his play in the Class LL state championship game. In a 21-20 win, with the Wreckers up by just one and West Haven going for two, the senior had the pass breakup to deny the Blue Devils. Maurillo also made nine tackles.
Jayden Johnson, DB, Bloomfield: Patrolling the secondary, Johnson was a difference maker in turning the tide in Bloomfield's 42-20 defeat of Cromwell/Portland for the Class S state championship. The senior defensive back made two tackles and picked off two passes.
Samuel Guidera, DB, Joel Barlow: Needing to turn back Watertown on a 2-point try with 1:38 remaining in the game, Guidera recovered a fumble in the endzone to thwart the attempt. The senior also had the game-sealing interception with six seconds to secure a 21-20 win for the Class SS state championship.
(Photo courtesy of North Haven Football X account)
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sbliveconn
