Vote: Who was Rhode Island’s 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 10 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:
Brayden Rogers, QB, North Kingstown: The 6-foot-1, 195-pound quarterback had himself a solid season for North Kingstown. Rogers completed 162-of-249 passes for 2,144 yards and 17 touchdowns. Also rushed for 382 yards on the ground.
Daunte Melton, QB, Woonsocket: The 5-foot-10, 175-pound senior quarterback was one of the state's top passers all season long for the Villa Novans. Melton last fall completed 104-of-153 passes for 1,526 yards, 11 touchdowns and rushed for 278 and four scores.
Chace Roberts, QB, Pilgrim: Roberts became the full-time starter this season and doubled his numbers from his junior campaign. The senior completed 114-of-214 passes for 1,451 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Adonai Lopez, QB, Mt. Pleasant: Lopez not only got it done with his right arm, but also got yards with his legs. The senior signal caller completed 55-of-103 passes for 1,065 yards and 13 touchdowns. Also added 156 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Trent Sterner, WR/LB, North Kingstown: The senior strong safety/wide receiver was a force on both sides of the ball for North Kingstown this season for the state runner-up squad. Sterner made 163 tackles, four interceptions on defense and then on offense compiled 979 yards, 10 touchdowns.
Andrew Ray, RB, Cumberland: The 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back was one of the best true backs in all of Rhode Island after his senior campaign. Ray carried the rock 219 times for 1,458 yards (seven games over 100 yards) and scoring 14 touchdowns.
Tyler Stanton, RB/LB, Exeter West Greenwich: Stanton, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound two-way star, made an impact not only at running back but also outside linebacker. The senior carried the ball 172 times for 1,219 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on offense. At safety, Stanton made 70 tackles, with 12 going for a loss.
Myles Craddock, RB/DB, Moses Brown: The 5-foot-10, 190-pound senior played well on both sides of the ball for Moses Brown at running back and free safety. Craddock in the backfield rushed for 1,213 yards on 121 carries and scored 18 touchdowns. At free safety, Craddock made 38 tackles and picked off a pass.
Michael Cinquantini, LB/FB, Woonsocket: There were a lot of good linebackers in the state, but Cinquantini stood out among the rest at middle backer. The 5-foot-10, 200-pound linebacker totaled 125 tackles, with two sacks and an interception.
Ian Bing, RB/LB, St. Raphael Academy: No linebacker passed rushed quarterbacks quite like Bing did. The pass rushing backer led the state in the sack department with 19 total, along with 92 tackles and 28 of those going for a loss.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivesports
