Vote: Who was Massachusetts' top senior football player of 2023?
The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months.
One of the big questions is what upperclassmen on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where seniors that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.
That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top senior football player of 2023?
We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and in search of the top senior. Comment and let us know if we missed anyone you think should be on our list.
We’ve selected 11 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.
Voting will end on March 9th, 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 nominees:
Tyler Lennox, QB, Carver: Leading a turnaround for the Carver football program, Lennox also etched his name in program lore as one of the best passers to ever come through. The senior quarterback completed 165-of-237 passes for 2,817 yards, 38 touchdowns (state leader) and just four interceptions. Lennox also rushed for 233 yards and five touchdowns.
Brian Vaughan, QB, Lynn Classical: The kind of numbers Vaughan was been able to put up for Lynn Classical definitely caught the attention of people in New England. Vaughan threw for 2,198 yards, 24 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
Michael Reardon Jr., QB, North Middlesex Regional: Reardon Jr. had himself a very solid 2023 season that saw his numbers match up across the board with anyone on this list. The signal caller threw for 2,076 yards and 24 touchdowns this fall.
Henry Hasselbeck, QB, Xaverian Brothers: The UCLA commitment didn't have to throw a whole ton, but when he did, Hasselbeck was effective. Son of former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, the senior completed 57-of-87 passes for 767 yards, nine touchdowns and zero picks.
Daniel Lawton, RB/LB, Blackstone-Millville: There were plenty of two-way players all around the state of Massachusetts, but Lawton stood out among the rest. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound running back rushed for 1,836 yards on 141 carries and scored 24 touchdowns. At linebacker, Lawton had a solid season, making 56 tackles, eight for a loss and two interceptions.
Jameson Dion, RB, Amherst Pelham Regional: Another running back that had himself a stellar 2023 campaign was Dion for the Hurricanes. Dion finished last season rushing for 1,545 yards on 86 carries and scored 20 touchdowns.
John Nasky Jr., WR/CB, Lynn Classical: When you're the state's leader in wide receiving yards and make an impact on defense as well, you've got to be on the list. Nasky Jr., a senior two-way player, led Massachusetts in receiving yards with 1,223 on 94 catches and scored 14 touchdowns. Added 171 yards rushing and made 43 tackles, two interceptions on defense.
Cade Callahan, WR/DB, North Middlesex: No matter where on the field Callahan was lining up, he was making plays for the Patriots last season. In 2023 at wide receiver, Callahan caught 71 passes for 1,002 yards and 15 touchdowns. On defense, the senior racked up 40 tackles and picked off two passes.
Braden Faiella, LB, Saugus: One of the state's defenders was Faiella coming from Saugus. The 5-foot-10, 210-pound middle linebacker was a tackling machine all season long. Faiella tallied 153 tackles, 37 for a loss, six sacks, three recoveries and an interception.
Landen Hardy, LB, Franklin County Tech: The senior linebacker couldn't be missed by any opposing offenses, as Hardy was always a tough block. Hardy, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound backer racked up 129 tackles, 26 for a loss, four fumble recoveries and 1.5 sacks.
Connor Lebrun, DB, Andover: Throwing Lebrun's way wasn't a very smart idea for opposing offenses last season. The Andover defensive back was a ball hawk, totaling nine interceptions and broke up 23 others. Also made 38 total tackles for the Division I state semifinalists.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivemass
