Vote: Who was New York’s top sophomore 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 newcomers on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where sophomores that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.
That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top sophomore football player of 2023?
We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the sophomores that won going head-to-head.
We’ve selected 13 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.
Voting will end on February 14th, 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:
Dominic Anzalone, QB, Bishop Timon St. Jude: Anzalone really stood out this past fall for the Tigers, with the quarterback throwing for 1,441 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2023.
Justus Kleitz, QB, Iroquois: Kleitz is another sophomore that really stood out in the class. The quarterback completed 121-of-191 passes for 1,396 yards and 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
Parker Bonefede, QB, York/Pavilion: The sophomore signal caller had a solid fall campaign, completing 94-of-163 passes for 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Robert Livingstone, QB, Cazenovia: The Lakers’ quarterback did a really nice job this past 2023 campaign. Livingstone has completed 82-of-144 passes for 1,236 yards, 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Jay Miles, RB, Dryden: The Lions tailback put together a solid 2023 campaign. Miles had rushed for 1,413 yards on 189 attempts and scored 14 touchdowns.
Derik Betances, RB, Kennedy: Betances was one of the top rushers all season long and has gone for 1,118 yards on 129 carries and scored 11 touchdowns.
Travis Gamble, RB, Randolph Campus: Gamble was a tough back to take down for defenders in 2023. The shift sophomore running back carried the rock 127 times for 1,126 yards and scored 17 touchdowns.
Dean Palazzolo, WR, Somers: Leading all receivers in the yardage department is Palazzolo as the sophomore has hauled in 34 passes for 740 yards and seven touchdowns.
Carmelo Miles, DB, Dryden: Miles was anywhere and everywhere an opposing ball carrier was trying to run to. The sophomore made 151 tackles, 15 for loss, five forced fumbles, three fumbles recoveries and two pass breakups. Also added 677 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns.
Gianni Velazquez, LB, Geneva: Velazquez was a tackling machine for the Panthers this past season. The linebacker has tallied 83 tackles, 10 going for a loss and three sacks.
Bradley Rumrill, LB, Canajoharie: Another linebacker that had a really nice season is Rumrill for Canajoharie. The linebacker has racked up 92 tackles and a sack this past fall.
Colin Doxey, DE, Newfane: The defensive end was a really hard to stop for opposing offensive tackles this fall. Doxey has made 42 tackles and five sacks through eight games in 2023.
Billy Cozidente, DB, Moore Catholic: Making his way onto this list the Moore Catholic defensive back. Cozidente, who played primarily free safety, had intercepted five passes on defense this past season.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports
