Vote: Who should be the South Suncoast Midseason Offensive Player of the Year?
We are now at the midway point of the 2023 regular season of high school football for most teams throughout the Sunshine State and we begin to roll out our midseason awards regionally.
Starting off the awards, we begin on offense over on the South Suncoast (Charlotte, Manatee, Sarasota counties) and ask the question: Who should be the Offensive Player of the Year? I mean, halfway through there’s been plenty of star performers and our list is down below of the candidates.
Voting ends at 11:59 p.m., Sunday, October 15th
Here are the nominations:
Andrew Heidel, QB, Manatee: And to think, a season ago Heidel was splitting time with another quarterback. A year later, the signal caller has Manatee at 5-0. The quarterback has completed 76-of-128 passes for 1,025 yards and 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Jadyn Glasser, QB, Venice: The South Plantation transfer has been the real deal for the Indians near the halfway point of the season. Glasser, a Central Michigan commitment, has completed 43-of-87 passes for 831 yards, seven touchdowns and also has rushed for 181 yards, two scores.
DJ Johnson, RB, Sarasota Riverview: There’s a bunch of reasons why the Rams’ offense has been so good this season (ahem Brody Wiseman). Johnson has been the lightning rod behind Sarasota Riverview’s hot start and has rushed for 569 yards and six touchdowns this fall.
Michael Valentino, QB, Cardinal Mooney: Last season Valentino was over at Charlotte and all he has done is come over to Cardinal Mooney and been a difference maker. The quarterback has completed 39-of-63 passes for 546 yards, seven touchdowns to just one pick. Also has rushed for 273 yards and three scores.
Jaden Judge, RB, Bayshore: A transfer from Sarasota over the off-season, Judge has made a major impact with the Bruins so far. The running back has amassed over 700 yards rushing and 11-plus touchdowns for 3-1 Bayshore. If there's any player that might mean the most to their offense on this list, might be Judge.
Jackson Volz, QB, Parrish Community: The Bulls are playing lights out offensively and a lot of that can attested to the right arm of Volz. The signal caller has completed 46-of-70 passes (65 percent) for 744 yards, 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Also has added 101 yards rushing and two scores.
Lucas Despot, QB, Braden River: This was supposed to be a down year for the Pirates with some players transferring out. It’s been anything but that and Despot has been a big reason behind the steady play. Despot has completed 31-of-54 passes for 510 yards, five touchdowns.
Lorenzo Maurceri, QB, Lemon Bay: On a weekly basis, Maurceri has been a dual-threat for the Manta Rays and leading them to a 5-0 record. The quarterback went for 114 yards on the ground in a 48-7 win over IMG Academy Blue. A week before, Maurceri rushing for 110 yards and a touchdown while also throwing a touchdown pass in a 42-10 win over Gateway.
Eli Manley, QB, Port Charlotte: This version of Port Charlotte could be the best team in school history. A lot of the offense rides on good quarterback play and Manley has provided that. Manley has completed 39-of-68 passes for 706 yards and eight touchdowns. Also has added 178 yards on the ground and four scores.
Davaughn Thomas, RB, Palmetto: Now the Tigers have had to play without the services of Florida International commitment Clayton Dees at quarterback and Thomas has stepped up. The running back has carried the ball 45 times for 387 yards and seven touchdowns.
Jayden Bradford, QB, IMG Academy: The Liberty commitment has led the national team Ascenders off to an impressive 4-0 start to the season and his numbers have been equally as good. Bradford has completed 45-of-80 passes for 678 yards and seven touchdowns to zero interceptions.
Eli Hamrick, QB, IMG Academy White: Hamrick has played about as good as any signal caller in the entire state so far this season. The quarterback has completed 52-of-87 passes for 920 yards and 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions for the Ascenders.
Evan Brown, QB, Saint Stephen’s: Brown is the engine that makes the Falcons' offense go every Friday night. The quarterback/athlete has thrown for 371 yards, two touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 632, plus eight scores on the ground.
Alex Diaz, QB, Sarasota Booker: The quarterback is in his first season as the Tornadoes’ starter, Diaz has played very well. Diaz has completed 38-of-83 passes for 797 yards and nine touchdowns to just two interceptions.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
