Vote: Who was Rhode Island’s top junior 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 juniors that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.
That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top junior football player of 2023?
We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and in search of the top junior. Comment and let us know if we missed anyone you think should be on our list.
We’ve selected 10 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.
Voting will end on February 29th, 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:
Logan Gelinas, QB, Burrillville: The 5-foot-9 junior quarterback also plays guard on the basketball team. Before he hit the hardwood this winter, his fall campaign was solid for Burrillville, throwing for 1,230 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Matt Clements, QB, Johnston: The junior signal caller finished up a strong fall campaign, in which he was among the state leaders in touchdowns. Clements completed 83-of-176 passes for 1,080 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Evan Spencer, QB, Cumberland: Spencer is a dual-threat quarterback and did most of his damage on the ground last season. The signal caller threw for 448 yards, three touchdowns and rushed for 784 and scored 13 times.
Darren Valentin, RB/LB, Tolman: The junior running back remained towards the top of the yardage marks all season long. Valentin rushed for 981 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
Paul Zolkos, RB/LB, Scituate: Zolkos was another tailback that ended the season compiling 981 yards rushing and added 10 touchdowns. The junior also made 37 tackles on defense at inside linebacker.
Gian Iacuele, WR, North Kingstown: The junior wide receiver had himself a strong 2023 campaign. Iacuele finished the season hauling in 47 passes for 507 yards and two touchdowns.
Ian Bing, LB, St. Raphael Academy: Bing was one of Rhode Island’s top pass rushers from the linebacker position. The junior backer racked up 92 tackles, 28 for loss, 19 sacks and two forced fumbles.
Andre Adams, DL, Westerly: Adams played both ways for the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound edge rusher tallied 74 tackles, 18 for loss, 12 sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
Benjamin Wilcox, ATH, Woonsocket: Wilcox played anywhere and everywhere for the Villa Novans. The junior athlete caught 13 passes for 169 yards, two touchdowns and on defense made 41 tackles, 14 for loss and 10 sacks.
Tyler Denecour, ATH, South Kingstown: Whether he saw time on offense or defense, Denecour produced for the Rebels. The junior dynamo totaled 282 all-purpose yards on offense and defensively made 32 tackles and six interceptions.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports
