PLAYER OF THE YEAR
TYLER COPPOLA
St. John's Prep Senior
Tailback
It's like a script out of Hollywood: the best high school football player on the North Shore was playing his senior season not only for himself and his teammates, but also for his two injured triplet brothers who could no longer join him playing on the gridiron.
Not only did Tyler Coppola do all that was expected of him for St. John's Prep this fall, but he actually surpassed expectations. After all, who could have figured he'd become the all-time single season rushing leader in the illustrious history of Prep football and lead his team to its first Division 1 Super Bowl appearance in eight years?
The 5-foot-9, 185-pound tailback from North Reading was, in a word, immense. From his very first carry of the season — a 63-yard touchdown run vs. Peabody High — Coppola put the team's offensive expectations on his back and never stopped running. He completed his remarkable senior season with 2,182 yards on the ground and 20 touchdowns. In doing so, he averaged 8.94 yards a carry every time he lugged the football under his arm.
Coppola's best individual performance may have been the 341-yard, five-touchdown effort he turned in against Mount St. Joseph's of Maryland (with scores from 56, 76, 48, 61 and 43 yards out). Sixteen of his 20 touchdowns went for 20 yards or more, and an unfathomable nine of those were from at least 50 yards out.
But without question, the most emotional game for him came when his fellow triplets, Brandon and Jared (with the help of a walker), served as honorary captains on Thanksgiving Day at Xaverian and walked out to the 50-yard line together for the coin toss. Tyler then promptly went out and rushed for 211 yards and two TDs as the St. John's Prep upset the Hawks to win the Catholic Conference title.
Coppola is hoping to play college football and carries a 3.42 grade-point average at St. John's Prep.
JAMES BRAO
Hamilton-Wenham Sr.
Offensive Tackle/Defensive End/Kicker
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder captained the first Generals' team in history to advance to the state football playoffs ... Finished with more than 60 tackles ... Kicked two field goals, including one in the playoffs, and added 13 extra points ... Led team to Cape Ann League Small championship and six more wins than the previous season ... Terrific 3.95 grade-point average.
PAT COSTIN
Swampscott Sr.
Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Northeastern Conference all-star defender was a menace in covering opponent's best receiver ... Captain proved adept at breaking up pass plays ... Big play receiver on the other end of the ball with 20 grabs for 149 yards and a touchdown ... Has his eye on both Curry and Norwich for college ... Father and grandfather, both of whom also played for the Big Blue, are his biggest athletic influences.
NATE CYR
St. John's Prep Senior
Offensive Guard/Inside Linebacker
Leader of offensive line spearheaded a group that opened holes for SJP backs to run for 3,417 yards this fall ... Also protected first-year QB Tommy Gaudet's blind side to near-perfection for the Catholic Conference champs and Division 1 Super Bowl runner-ups ... The 6-foot-1, 245-pounder is a two-time Catholic Conference all-star ... Likes Trinity College ... Carries 3.5 GPA.
JOHN ELDREDGE
Ipswich Junior
Wide Receiver/Cornerback
Despite being the focal point of every opponent's secondary, he still managed to corral 19 passes for 406 yards ... His eight touchdown catches were the only eight the Tigers had through the air ... Added two interceptions ... Had three touchdowns and 182 yards receiving vs. North Reading ... Holds down 3.77 GPA.
BRENDAN FLAHERTY
Beverly Sophomore
Running Back/Safety
Terrific vision and foot speed, particularly to the outside, allowed him to rush for 1,274 yards and 16 touchdowns despite being injured for the first five games of the season ... Averaged better than seven yards a carry ... The 6-foot-1, 180-pounder also led the Panthers in touchdown passes caught (5) ... His 126 points were third-best on the North Shore ... Takes Honors classes and has earned High Distinction honors ... Had four touchdowns in two playoff games, including a pair of TD receptions in Super Bowl win over Somerset.
GEORGE HARAKTSIS
Peabody Senior
Linebacker/Guard
Leader of a much-improved Tanner team finished with 104 tackles ... Chosen as an NEC all-star at linebacker ... Recovered four fumbles ... Integral part of the only defense to hold Division 1A scoring leader Trae Weathers of Revere without a point ... Ferocious hitter plays with both smarts and passion ... Paved the way for Nat Gaye to run for over 1,000 yards on offense ... Excellent student ranks 45th in Peabody's senior class and hopes to study business at Northeastern.
KURT HUNZIKER
Masconomet Junior
Tight End/Middle Linebacker
Ferocious tackling machine is already being recruited by the likes of Boston College, UConn and Rutgers ... Led club with 160 tackles, including several contests in which he recorded 20 or more ... Two-time Cape Ann League All-League selection ... Caught 28 passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns ... Also picked off a pair of passes ... Veteran Chieftains' coach Jim Pugh calls him as smart and talented a defensive player as he's ever had.
GEORGE KALLAS
Beverly Senior
Offensive Line/Defensive Line
Behemoth (6-foot-2 1/2, 285 lbs.) on the Panthers' line was tough to move because of his size and strength ... Anchored an offensive line that allowed the BHS running backs to ramble for 2,800 yards this fall ... Carries a fine 3.5 grade-point average ... Captain was a vocal leader in the locker room ... Led squad to wins in six of its last seven games, including the school's first ever Super Bowl championship ... Ticketed to play college football.
BRET KIDIK
Bishop Fenwick Senior
Quarterback
Put the ball up more frequently than any other area quarterback, attempting 428 passes ... Completed 242 of them for 2,711 yards (both were also tops in the area) ... Set new school record with 23 TD passes this fall ... Catholic Central League all-star ... Fired six TDs in wild win over Archbishop Williams ... Threw for 441 yards and four scores in loss to Arlington Catholic ... Looking at Bridgewater State, Curry, Becker College and Worcester Academy ... Fenwick's all-time leader in completions, passing yards and touchdowns.
RYAN LIPKA
Bishop Fenwick Senior
Wide Receiver/Defensive Back
Became the first high school football player in Massachusetts history to catch over 100 passes in a single season, finishing with a mind-boggling 115 grabs ... Finished with 1,214 receiving yards, also a single-season school record ... Scored seven touchdowns ... Peabody resident was a CCL all-star ... Had 16 catches and 251 yards with one TD vs. Arlington Catholic.
BRENDAN OLIVER
Pingree Senior
Quarterback/Linebacker
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound team leader stepped up and unselfishly played defensive line in a game when one of his teammates was hurt ... Averaged 19.7 yards per pass reception, completing 118 of 200 passes for 2,327 yards and 24 touchdowns — in only nine games ... Guided Highlanders to first perfect season in school history and back-to-back prep school playoff wins ... Named MVP of both the Evergreen League and NEPSAC this fall ... Team captain is also a leader academically with 86 average.
JAKE PRINCE
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Tight End/Outside Linebacker/Defensive End
Led CAL Small champion Generals in tackles with more than 75 ... Grabbed 18 passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns ... Fearsome defender could easily switch back and forth from the front four to the Sam spot on the outside ... Won team's Unsung Hero Award as a junior ... Owner of a 3.83 GPA ... Hopes to continue his gridiron career in college.
WILL QUIGLEY
Marblehead Junior
Running Back/Cornerback
The focal point of Magicians' offense touched the football on 46 percent of its offensive plays (228 of 490) ... Led team in rushing attempts (218), yards (1,342) and touchdowns (15) ... Breakaway speed who could also run over defenders with his 6-foot-1, 185-pound frame ... Had 270 yards rushing vs. Danvers ... Finished with 114 points ... Holds down 3.6 grade-point average ... NEC all-star also had four interceptions.
ANTONIO REYES
Salem Senior
Fullback/Tight End/Middle Linebacker
One of the most dominant defenders in the area averaged better than 15 tackles a game ... NEC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior ... Two-time Salem News all-star ... Broke all-time Salem High record for tackles with more than 300 ... Had three catches for 104 yards, two interceptions (including one for a TD) and 13 tackles in road win at Archbishop Williams ... Led team in receiving with 25 catches and 492 yards to go with 3 touchdowns ... Hoping to go to prep school.
BRIAN ROGERS
Pingree Senior
Running Back/Middle Linebacker
Whenever he touched the football, the Topsfield native was bound to make something happen ... Ran for 275 yards and seven touchdowns on just 32 carries ... Also grabbed 10 passes for 157 yards and another score ... Had 14 carries for 128 yards and two TDs vs. Tilton ... Led Highlanders in tackles, rushing yards, touchdowns and total yards before injuring his triceps ... Carries a 89 average in the classroom.
ZACH RYAN
Danvers Senior
Tight End/Defensive End
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, he was quarterback Greg Little's favorite target ... Grabbed 10 passes for 186 yards ... Hauled in a team-high four touchdowns ... Scored twice against Lynn English ... Captain was an NEC all-star at defensive end ... Carries 3.2 GPA ... Looking at both Mass. Maritime Academy and UMass Amherst.
BRAD SKEFFINGTON
Salem Senior
Quarterback
Rocket-armed quarterback captained the Witches to their first winning season in 11 years ... Completed 94 of 185 passes for 1,334 yards and a dozen touchdowns ... Also led Salem in rushing with 539 yards rushing and 10 TDs ... Orchestrated Thanksgiving Day upset over eventual Super Bowl champion Beverly ... Two-time NEC all-star ... Terrific 3.81 GPA ... Wants to keep playing football at a four-year college.
NICK THIERAULT
Beverly Junior
Fullback/Safety
Had the game-winning touchdown in his team's Super Bowl win over previously unbeaten Somerset, going 74 yards on a trap at Gillette Stadium ... Led Panthers with 139 yards in championship game ... Finished three yards short of 1,000 for the season ... Scored eight touchdowns ... Big game vs. Swampscott enabled BHS to win NEC Small crown ... Picked off five passes ... Says his grandfather has been most influential to him.
WILL WALFIELD
Pingree Senior
Tailback/Outside Linebacker
Dangerous offensive option both out of the backfield and catching passes in the flat for the Evergreen League champions ... Ran for 353 yards on just 36 carries and a half-dozen touchdowns ... Second on team with 426 receiving yards on 16 carries and five more scores ... Captain patrolled the middle of the defense with abandon for two-time Bowl champions.
MIKE WALLIS
North Shore Tech Sr.
Offensive Tackle/Defensive End
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound from Peabody was a lynchpin on the Bulldogs' offensive and defensive lines ... A student at Essex Aggie ... One of the lead blockers for fellow all-star Jesse Wilkins and his 2,000-plus rushing yards ... Great footwork in the trenches ... Leader of a much-improved defense for the Vocational Bowl champions ... Team captain.
MIKE WALSH
Swampscott Junior
Quarterback/Defensive Back
Emerged from a three-man QB race as the starter early in the season and wound up having a stellar campaign ... NEC Small Offensive Player of the Year ... The 6-1, 186-pounder threw for 2,265 yards and 21 touchdowns with just nine picks ... Completed 62 percent (183 of 295) of his passes ... Led team in both rushing yardage (756) and touchdowns (14) as well ... Excellent student is ranked 23rd in his class with a 4.1 GPA ... Looking at Brown, Amherst, Bowdoin and Dartmouth.
JESSE WILKINS
North Shore Tech Senior
Running Back/Safety
One of only two players in the area to rush for 2,000 yards this season, finishing with 2,063 on the ground and 22 touchdowns ... Busiest back on the North Shore with 313 carries ... Salem native was a two-time Commonwealth Athletic Conference all-star ... Offensive Player of the Year for the Bulldogs as a junior ... Finished with 166 total points, second best in the area ... Had three touchdowns and 150 yards rushing in the fourth quarter in comeback win over Greater Lawrence ... Also had two interceptions.
HONORABLE MENTION
Beverly: Joe Wioncek, Sr. QB/DB; Alex Ego, Sr. OT/DT; Andrew Cannata, Sr. OG/DL; Mark Giles, Sr. WR/LB; Chris Mitchell, Sr. WR/CB; Anthony McDonald, Sr. TE/DL; George Kastrinakis, Sr. OL/DL.
Bishop Fenwick: Zach Nardone, Sr. OL/DL; Jake Bugler, Sr. TE/LB; Tyler Thomann, Sr. RB/DB; Billy Klemczuk, Sr. WR/DB.
Danvers: Greg Little, Sr. QB/DB; Nick Valles, Jr. RB/LB; Shane Tobyne, Sr. OT/DT.
Hamilton-Wenham: Jimmy Love, Sr. WR; Dylan Keith, Sr. QB; Elliot Burr, Jr. RB/MLB; Zach Nekorowski, Sr. SE/CB; Domenick Vogus, Sr. OL/DT.
Ipswich: Brendan Gallagher, Sr. QB/DB; Jake LeBlanc, Sr. FB/DE; Kenny Wing, Sr. WB/DB/K.
Marblehead: Ben Koopman, Sr. OL/DL; Matt Perlow, Sr. TE/DE; Josh Freedland, Sr. TE/LB; Liam Gilliland, Sr. OL/DL; Nick Broughton, Sr. OL/DL; Ryan Stanojev, WR/DB.
Masconomet: Brodie Green, Sr. WR/OLB; Tom Chub, Sr. C/DE; Dylan Mann, Soph. RB/DB.
North Shore Tech: Tyler Suggs, Jr. OL/DE; Patrick Wood, Sr. QB; Jordan Castillo, Sr. WR/CB; Jordan Smith, Sr. WR; Corey Duffy, Sr. RB/LB.
Peabody: Roni Aliu, Sr., OL/DL; Mike Garrity, Sr., LB; Nat Gaye, Jr., RB/LB; D.J. Henrick, Jr., FB/DE; Nick Vargas, Sr., OL/DL.
Pingree: Kevin St. Pierre, Sr. WR/S; Jamerson, Sr. WR/DE; Brandon Parker, Sr. TE/DE; Kenny Adinkra, Jr. RB/LB.
Salem: Mark Romeo, Sr. OG/LB; Joey Dinh, Sr. WR/FS; Chris Bozarjian, Sr. RB/CB; Kyle Hardy, Sr. WR/CB.
St. John's Prep: Dillon Gonzalez, Sr. FL/S; Dan Culkeen, Sr. OT/DT; Ryan Delisle, Sr. TE/DE; Tommy Gaudet, Sr. QB; Alex Moore, Soph. S; Lucas Bavaro, Soph. OLB.
Swampscott: A.J. Baker, Jr. WR/DB; Mark McMahon, Sr. OL/DL; Peter Yasi, Sr. WR/LB; Jake McDougall, Sr. SB/DB; Zach Beermann, Sr. WR/LB; Phil Larkin, Sr. RB/DB.
