Vote: Who has been the best freshman football player in New York so far in 2023?
We are just past the mid-point part of the 2023 high school football season here in New York and there’s no shortage of underclassmen performing at a high level. It’s no surprise that freshmen are showing out in the Empire State as that’s been the case in the past many times over. This list of underclassmen features some of the top freshmen football players we’ve seen or have been on the rise in New York. Take a look at our list and vote for who you feel has been the top performing freshman high school football player in New York.
Voting closes on October 31st, 11:59pm
Here are the nominations:
Thomas Zeh, QB, Moore Catholic: The Moore Catholic quarterback has been one of the top Class of 2027 signal callers. Zeh has thrown for 765 yards on 48-of-74 passing and eight touchdowns to just two interceptions.
Trent Buttles, QB, Aquinas Institute: Buttles has looked tremendous for the Fighting Irish this fall season, with the signal caller completing 51-of-84 passes for 724 yards, nine touchdowns and just one mere interception.
Noah Collins-Howard, WR, Aquinas Institute: Collins-Howard has been one of Buttles’ top targets out wide for the Fighting Irish. The wideout has hauled in 15 catches for 260 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Stephen Yakubec, Cambridge Salem: The 5-foot-10, 150-pound signal caller has played about as any other freshman quarterback, completing 39-of-75 passes for 554 yards and eight touchdowns.
Elijah Kimble, RB, Canisius: Kimble without a shadow of a doubt has been one of the state’s top freshman players with his numbers. The tailback has rushed for 1,059 yards on 105 carries and scored 11 touchdowns.
Luis Correa, WR/LB, Oswego: The wide receiver has had a nice campaign with the Bucs, catching 10 passes for 186 yards for an average of 18.6 per reception. Also has made 51 tackles on defense.
James Cocozzo, LB, Stillwater: Cocozzo has been one of the state’s top tacklers, regardless of class. The linebacker has racked up 74 tackles, with 41 of them being solo takedowns.
Ben Shaw, LB, Waverly: The freshman linebacker is a can’t miss tackler for the Wolverines this season. Shaw has played well in the Waverly front seven, making 44 tackles this fall.
Conor Drnek, ATH, Dover: Drnek plays quarterback and inside linebacker for Dover, playing well on defense specifically. The defender has made 35 tackles and a sack this season.
Michael Moskowitz, DB, Beacon: The defensive back has been one of the top freshman playing in the secondary this fall. Moskowitz has notched three interceptions for the Bulldogs.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
