2024 HockomockSports Football Awards

 

North Attleboro senior Ryan Bannon has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Football Player of the Year. Bannon was instrumental on both sides of the ball for the Rocketeers this season, helping them win the Div. 3 state title, their first Super Bowl win since 2002.

The Georgetown University-commit, who was also selected as the Davenport division co-MVP by the league’s coaches, finished the season with 17 total touchdowns. Despite missing a pair of games to injury, Bannon rushed for 880 yards on 132 carries, averaging 6.67 yards per carry, and scored 13 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught six passes for 99 yards, including four touchdowns. In the state title game against rival Mansfield, Bannon rushed for three scores to help the Rocketeers roll to a 35-0 victory.

“Ryan was a three-year, two-way starter and a two-year captain at NAHS,” said North coach Mike Strachan. “Ryan was the best player in the Hockomock League this season doing it on both sides of the ball. Ryan is an exceptional linebacker. He was a dominating force on both sides of the ball.”

Defensively, Bannon was a dominant linebacker, leading North with 55 total tackles, including 38 solo tackles and 17 tackles for loss. He also added a sack. His size and strength made him a force at the line of scrimmage, but his speed and reading of the game allowed him to chase down ball carriers from sideline to sideline.

“Ryan really lived up to all of his potential this year,” said HockomockSports.com Managing Editor Josh Perry. “It took multiple players to bring him down any time he touched the ball (and even then, he probably carried them all for an extra couple of yards) and there were times he seemed unblockable on defense. Ryan was integral to everything North did this year and the Super Bowl capped off a remarkable season.”

Bannon is the first North Attleboro football player to receive this recognition. He is the fourth player from the Davenport division, joining Canton’s Jake Ragusa (2015) and Brendan Albert (2018) and Foxboro’s Dylan Gordon (2021). Bannon is the sixth player of the year from North Attleboro and the first male athlete, joining Meg Ronaghan (basketball, 2013), Meg Colleran (softball, 2014), Hana Caster (lacrosse, 2016), Ashlyn Gaulin (soccer, 2018), and Kelly Colleran (softball, 2022).

Honorable Mentions: Ben Angelini (Foxboro), Aiden Astorino (King Philip), Kareem Chaplin (Canton)

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Editor’s Note: The HockomockSports.com Awards are selected strictly by our staff and have no affiliation to the official Hockomock League all stars. Please note players are listed by position.

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Quarterbacks

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Jack Buckley – Milford – Senior
Milford senior Jack Buckley had another successful season under center for the Scarlet Hawks. In his second season as a starter, Buckley guided Milford to important wins in some of the biggest games of the season, including an upset win in the opening round of the state tournament over Masconomet and a terrific performance in a thrilling 42-41 win on Thanksgiving Eve over Taunton. He was a main source of offense for Milford with 13 passing touchdowns and four rushing scores. “Jack has done a great job leading our offense the past couple of years,” said Milford head coach Dale Olson. “Jack played his senior year with a broken bone in his ankle, it shows you what he’s all about.”

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Chase Frisoli – North Attleboro – Senior
North Attleboro senior Chase Frisoli finished off his career in style. The four-year starter led North to the Div. 3 Super Bowl title, its first since 2002. This season, Frisoli had 15 touchdown passes (to just five interceptions) and 11 more scores on the ground. He completed nearly 60 percent of his passes and threw for more than 1,000 yards while running for 744 yards at nearly eight yards per carry. He was selected as an all-star by the league’s coaches. North coach Mike Strachan said, “Chase was a dual threat, both in the air and on the ground. His field presence and football awareness was impressive for the 2024 Red Rocketeers. Chase was a threat to score anytime he ran the ball and he was also able to compliment his running threat with his passing attack.”

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Mike Marcucella – Foxboro – Senior
Foxboro senior Mike Marcucella led the Warriors to Gillette Stadium for the state championship for the second consecutive season. A three-year starter for Foxboro, Marcucella helped lead that averaged over 20 points a game and improved as the season went on. He threw for over 1,000 yards and had double-digit touchdown passes while at the helm of a predominantly run-orientated offense. Under his tenure as starting QB, Foxboro experienced a strong stretch of success. “An old school three-year starting quarterback that has orchestrated the program to 3 consecutive Final Four appearances, two Davenport titles, two Super Bowls, and one state championship,” said Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli. “A take charge team captain and QB from square one.”

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JT Norton – Canton – Junior
Canton junior JT Norton burst onto the scene this fall and emerged as a top quarterback in the Hockomock League. His ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs made him a threat on every snap and he was a handful for defenses to game plan for. He accounted for over 2,000 yards of offense in his first year under center; on the season, he had 126 completed passes with a 56% completion percentage for 1,896 yards and 12 touchdowns. He added 223 yards on the ground. “JT sees the field and has great control of the offense,” said Canton head coach Anthony Fallon. “The kid can play. That’s a lot of yards in your first year.”

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Tommy Vallett – Mansfield – Junior
Mansfield junior Tommy Vallett had immediate success in his first season at quarterback, leading the Hornets to a share of the Davenport division title and to the Division 3 state championship game. The junior only improved as the season went on, finishing the year with a 63.7% completion rate (116-for-182) for 1,661 yards. He added 13 touchdowns, including nine touchdowns and no interceptions over the final nine games, which included the entire postseason and the Thanksgiving win over Foxboro that clinched a share of the Davenport division title. “Tommy had a great year in his first varsity season and is ready to really take off in his senior year,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding. “He’s smart, athletic, and poised and has great arm strength and accuracy.”

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Running Backs

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Ben Angelini – Foxboro – Senior
Foxboro senior Ben Angelini had a monster season for the Warriors, helping the team secure its second consecutive Davenport division title and second straight state championship appearance at Gillette Stadium. After missing the start of the year with an injury, Angelini put the team on his back and was an unstoppable force for the majority of the rest of the year. Over the past two seasons, Angelini was a workhorse and averaged over 1,400 rushing yards and scored an impressive 47 touchdowns; he was named co-MVP for the Davenport division this fall. “A tireless and prideful ball carrier,” said Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli. “A combination of strength, speed, balance, and vision has been his forte.”

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Nick Crowe – Canton – Junior
Canton junior Nick Crowe burst onto the scene as a top ball carrier in the Hockomock League and was also a big impact player on the defensive side of the ball. He became a main source of offense for the Bulldogs — who reached the state tournament this fall — turning 144 carries into 643 yards and rushing for 15 touchdowns this fall, while also hauling in one touchdown pass. On the defensive side of the ball at linebacker, he registered 68 tackles, including 21 tackles for a loss. “Nick is a great two-way player, and his football IQ is outstanding,” said Canton head coach Anthony Fallon. “Sixteen touchdowns as a junior in our league is impressive.”

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Andrew Fraulo – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior Andrew Fraulo enjoyed a terrific final season playing for the Panthers. A main focal point of the Franklin offense, Fraulo had 148 total touches for over 1,000 all-purpose yards. A very shifty and elusive back, he was the main option in the rushing attack with 123 carries for 722 yards, getting into the end zone eight times on the ground. He was also an option in the passing game, hauling in 25 receptions for 290 yards and three touchdowns. “Andrew was the focal point of our offense this season and an enormous reason why we were one possession away from running the table in the regular season and winners of seven straight,” said Franklin head coach Todd Kiley. “A rare running back that is just as good in the pass game as he is in the run game.”

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Drew Laplante – King Philip – Senior
King Philip senior Drew Laplante had another great year spearheading a dangerous Warrior rushing attack. After missing the first couple of games with an injury, Laplante was a major part of King Philip’s offensive success. His ability to break through gaps, elude tacklers, escape tackles, and then use his speed to break away made him one of the best backs in the league over the last two seasons. He finished with a team-high 124 carries for 1,133 yards and 13 touchdowns; he rushed for nearly 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns over the past two seasons while helping KP win the Kelley-Rex both years and reach the D2 state championship. “Missed three games with hamstring and then battled a bruised heal, but never let it slow him down,” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee. “Drew absolutely crushed it in our playoff run, re-establishing himself as our number one running back.”
 

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Sean McCoy – Mansfield – Senior
Mansfield senior Sean McCoy had a breakout season coming out of the backfield for the Hornets, who earned a share of the Davenport division title and reached the Division 3 state championship game. After minimal carries last year, McCoy took on the bulk of the handoffs this season and rewarded the Hornets. He only got better as the season went on and finished as the team’s leading rusher with 1,054 yards on 165 carries and 15 rushing touchdowns. He also hauled in 24 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. “Just one of many great stories for this team,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding. “Sean had 84 yds rushing as a junior, then steps in and runs for over 1,000 yards for us this year and became our workhorse at running back; didn’t have great size or speed but he ran tough and fearless.”

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

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Andrew DeGirolamo – Mansfield – Junior
Mansfield junior Andrew DeGirolamo stepped right in and assumed the role of top receiver for the Hornets, and played a big part in helping the team secure a share of the Davenport division title and reach the Division 3 state championship game. He became the go-to option in the passing game, hauling in 52 catches for 855 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. His ability to beat defensive backs one-on-one became routine by the end of the year and defenses had to often bring help to try and contain him. “We thought we would have a hard time replacing Brandon Jackman and Trevor Foley at wide receiver, but Andrew stepped in and had a great season with over 50 catches,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding. “So versatile with the ability to play out wide as a split end and then come in and be our second tight end as a great blocker.”

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Johnny Escobalez – Taunton – Senior
Taunton senior Johnny Escobalez emerged as one of the top receivers this fall, becoming a go-to weapon for the Tigers’ offense. His speed really separated him from the pack in the Hockomock League and also put opposing defenses under a ton of pressure. He had a terrific final game of his Taunton career, hauling in eight passes for 136 yards and a pair of touchdowns. For the season, he had 30 catches and nine touchdowns. “He had a strong finish to the season and was difficult to cover,” said Taunton head coach Brad Sidwell.
 

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Bryce Kiser – North Attleboro – Senior
North Attleboro senior Bryce Kiser was a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Rocketeers this season, helping Big Red secure its first Super Bowl title since 2002. Kiser, a three-year starter on offense, led the team with 29 catches and 579 receiving yards. He caught seven touchdown passes this season while gaining 130 yards on the ground and more than 150 yards in kickoff and punt returns. Kiser also had 19 tackles and a pair of interceptions as a cornerback. North coach Mike Strachan said, “Bryce is an explosive receiver with exceptional hands. Bryce’s ability to make the big catch in big moments became his trademark. Although Bryce was a top receiver in the league, he quickly became one of the premier cornerbacks. Bryce was always lined up to the opposition’s best receiver and was our lockdown corner.”

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Andrew Rivera – Milford – Senior
Milford senior Andrew Rivera continued to be a big playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Scarlet Hawks this fall. Whether it was matching a catch downfield or taking the ball from the backfield, Rivera made a lot of plays for the Milford offense. And defensively, he was pivotal against the run but could also drop back and make plays in the passing game. He was one of the top producers offensively with 13 touchdowns while also coming up with six sacks and two interceptions on the defensive side of the ball. “Andrew played five different positions on offense and three on defense for us this year,” said Milford head coach Dale Olson. “He been a great player for us for the past three years and will be a great college player.”

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Harold Smith – Oliver Ames – Senior
Oliver Ames senior Harold Smith emerged as one of the top playmakers in the Hockomock League this season. Under first-year head coach John Sperrazza, the Tigers increased their passing game and Smith was a huge part of that. His ability to beat defenders one-on-one made him a difficult cover and he was able to turn routine plays into highlight reel plays. He was a two-way starter for OA; offensively, he had 29 receptions for 650 yards and seven touchdowns, including three touchdown catches over 75 yards. On the defensive side, he had 25 tackles (20 solo) and three interceptions playing in the secondary. “Harold was our most dynamic player on the team and provided the most position flexibility,” Sperrazza said. “He was a threat to score from anywhere on the field. He was our number one option on offense that teams tried to take away. Defensively, he was matched up with the opposing team’s best receiver.”

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Offensive Line

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Reid Clemente – North Attleboro – Senior
North Attleboro senior Reid Clemente was an impact addition to the roster this season. The Bishop Feehan-transfer was dominant on both sides of the ball, helping the Rocketeers make a run to their first Super Bowl title since 2002. Clemente was a key part in North’s offense rushing for nearly 270 yards per game (nearly 3,500 yards for the season) and more than seven yards per carry. He also had 15 tackles and forced a fumble on defense. He was selected as an all-star by the league’s coaches. North coach Mike Strachan said, “Reid was a dominating force on both the offense and defensive side of the ball. Reid has great strength and tremendous feet. In addition, his toughness is second to none. Reid was one of the best linemen in the Hockomock League and the entire state.”

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Drew Herlin – King Philip – Senior
King Philip senior Drew Herlin was a force on both the offensive and defensive lines this season for the Warriors, who won a second consecutive Kelley-Rex division title and reached the Division 2 state championship at Gillette Stadium for the second straight season. As one of the few returners on the offensive line from last year, Herlin helped anchor an offense that rushed for over 3,400 yards and 54 touchdowns. His combination of strength and speed helped KP set the tone with the ground game. Defensively, he recorded a pair of sacks. “What sets Drew apart from other linemen is his athleticism,” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee. “He is so quick and fast it allows him to do so much more in space, but down in the trenches, he is still as physical as anyone we’ve had.”

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Chris Holts – Mansfield – Senior
Mansfield senior Chris Holts was a force on both sides of the ball during his final season with the Hornets and played a big role in helping the team reach the Division 3 state championship and secure a share of the Davenport division title. Offensively, he helped pave the way for a rushing attack that racked up over 2,200 yards and helped protect first-year quarterback Tommy Vallett. He made a huge impact on the defensive side with 46 tackles, including seven for a loss and a team-high six sacks, and added an interception in the Thanksgiving win over Foxboro that helped clinch a share of the division. “He was one of our most improved players from junior to senior year and played nearly every down for us on both sides of the ball,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding. “He’s very fast and athletic for his size and that athleticism led to great pass blocking, key pulls on our counter plays, and was a tough match-up coming off the edge at defensive end.”

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Luke Laguerre – Canton – Senior
Canton senior Luke Laguerre was a standout lineman on both sides of the ball for the Bulldogs this year. A four-year player, a three-year starter on the line, and a two-year two-way starter for the Bulldogs, Laguerre has played a lot of downs over the past couple of years for Canton — and for good reason. He led the team with 27 pancakes this year while blocking for a first-year quarterback in JT Norton and a first-year starting running back in Nick Crowe. That protection on the offensive line helped Canton’s offense emerge as one of the top scoring groups in the Hock this year, averaging over 28 points per game. “Luke is a big, strong, aggressive lineman who has just scratched his potential in this game,” said Canton head coach Anthony Fallon.

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Matt O’Keefe – Foxboro – Junior
Foxboro junior Matt O’Keefe was once again one of the most impactful linemen in the Hockomock League this season. Although just a junior, O’Keefe already has 36 varsity starts under his belt, starting at guard for the Warriors at guard since the beginning of his freshman year. His ability to pull along the offensive line was a huge strength for a Foxboro team that had a heavy focus on the ground game this season. Defensively, he added 47 tackles, including four for a loss, and snagged two fumble recoveries, and was a big reason why Foxboro secured a share of a second straight Davenport title and reached the Division 5 title game again this year. “He spearheads a very young offensive line as a devastating blocker, especially on plays to the perimeter,” said Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli.

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Athletes

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Cam Deleskey – Foxboro – Junior
Foxboro junior Cam Deleskey had a breakout season for the Warriors, making an impact on both sides of the ball. Between receiver, defensive back, and special teams, Deleskey played a lot of downs for Foxboro, who secured a share of a second consecutive Davenport division title and returned to Gillette Stadium for a second straight year to play in a state championship. Offensively, he was a reliable option for quarterback Mike Marcucella, coming up with clutch catches and then making big moves to extend plays. He led Foxboro with 31 catches and just under 700 yards and led the Warriors in yards after catch. He also had 46 tackles, a team-high seven interceptions, and one pick six. “Perhaps the epitome of what high school football is all about, possessing unteachable skills as a slot receiver, cornerback, and kick returner,” said Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli.

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Michael Huntington – Attleboro – Senior
Attleboro senior Michael Huntington did a little bit of everything for the Bombardiers in his final fall on the gridiron. Between his play at receiver and running back, in the secondary, and as a returner on special teams, it was rare Huntington wasn’t on the field. He was second on the team in both rushing (149 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns) and receptions (27 catches, 263 yards, one touchdown), and added 44 tackles, including two for a loss, and an interception. “Mikey has an explosiveness about him when he plays, he has the ability to get to his top speed immediately,” said Attleboro head coach Jim Winters. “He is a game changer that never comes off the field, constantly coming up with big plays on defense to shut down drives and he is the guy we turned to when we needed a big play on offense.”

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Elijah Prophete – Taunton – Senior
Taunton senior Elijah Prophete capped off a great career with the Tigers with a strong final season. A three-year starter for head coach Brad Sidwell, Prophete was a playmaker on both sides of the ball, this year as a running back and linebacker. He was selected as a Hock all star after recording 111 tackles, including 10.5 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and had one pick six. He was also the leading rusher for the Tigers with 576 yards and 12 touchdowns. “An incredibly physical player, his toughness and grit are examples we want all of our players to emulate,” Sidwell said. “A state champion wrestler and recruitable football candidate looking forward to finding a place for him to play in college.”

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Will Tirrell – Franklin – Senior
Franklin senior Will Tirrell had a terrific final season with the Panthers and was a leader both on and off the field for the team. Tirrell played a lot of snaps between offense and defense, lining up under center in certain packages for first-year head coach Todd Kiley. Tirrell used his legs to beat defenses, rushing for 326 yards on 57 carries and 10 touchdowns, and was very efficient in the passing game, going 12-for-13 for 228 yards and four touchdowns. On the defensive end, he had an interception and two pass breakups. “Will was the leader of our football team this year,” Kiley said. “When a play had to be made on either side of the ball, Will was making it for us this year. A refuse to lose winner that thrived in our biggest situations this season.”

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Thomas Whiteside – Oliver Ames – Senior
Oliver Ames senior Thomas Whiteside capped his career with the Tigers with a strong final season, making plays on both sides of the ball all year long. A two-year, two-way starter for the Tigers, Whiteside has played a lot of snaps in his Oliver Ames career. Offensively, he was a vital piece in the blocking game and was also a reliable option in the passing game, hauling in 19 catches for 282 yards and one touchdown. He made a big impact on the defensive side too with 26 tackles, including 10 for a loss and five sacks, with two pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and 13 quarterback pressures. “Thomas has been the leader of our team the entire season,” said Oliver Ames head coach John Sperrazza. “He leads by example each day in practice and pushes his teammates to get better. He was a stalwart for our defensive line and teams game planned around him. Thomas was selected as a Hockomock League all star by opposing coaches.”

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Defensive Line

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Jonathan Balde – Foxboro – Senior
Foxboro senior Jonathan Balde once again dominated in the trenches for the Warriors, who won a share of their second straight Davenport division title and returned to Gillette Stadium for an appearance in the Division 5 state championship game. Rarely not on the field, Balde was a three-year starter on the offensive line and a two-year starter defensively, having a massive impact on both sides of the ball. His ability to move defenders helped pave the way for a dangerous run game and he was a handful for offensive linemen to try and block. He finished the year with 55 tackles, including six for a loss, six quarterback pressures, and three pass deflections. “He’s a superb pass protector and athletic run blocker with exceptional skill for a big man while being disruptive on defense.”

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Patrick Hamilton – North Attleboro – Senior
A three-year starter on both the offensive and defensive lines, North Attleboro senior Patrick Hamilton finished his career by helping the Rocketeers win the Div. 3 Super Bowl, their first title in more than two decades. In addition to helping North’s offense rush for nearly 270 yards per game, Hamilton had 47 tackles, including 15 for loss, and had six sacks from the interior of the defensive line. He forced a fumble in the Super Bowl that led to North’s opening score. North coach Mike Strachan said, “Patrick was tenacious on both sides of the ball and made his presence known in every single game. Patrick has a high motor and never took a play off. Patrick gave opposing lines fits every time he stepped on the field.”

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Julian Rampino – Franklin – Senior
Opposing offensive lines across the Hock are sighing in relief as Franklin senior Julian Rampino wrapped up his career with the Panthers after another successful season. One of the most powerful and disruptive ends the league has seen in recent memory, Rampino was a handful for teams to game plan for. His ability to shred blocks and get into the backfield helped Franklin have a very strong defensive season (16.3 points against per game). He finished the year with 31 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, nine quarterback pressures, and a pass breakup. “There is a reason why Julian had multiple D-1 scholarship offers,” said Franklin head coach Todd Kiley. “He was clearly the focus of opposing offenses – as they ran away from him, or motioned in an extra blocker to account for his disruptiveness. He was dominant this year for us defensively.”

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Thomas Sousa – Milford – Senior
Milford senior Thomas Sousa once again was an impact player on the line for the Scarlet Hawks this season. After joining the team last year, Sousa quickly emerged as a playmaker on both sides of the ball. He has played in a variety of roles in his two seasons with the Hawks, including at tight end and along the defensive end. He was voted a Hockomock League Kelley-Rex all star this season. His combination of size, speed, and strength made him a weapon on the offensive side and he was a handful to deal with coming off the edge defensively. “Thomas had a great two years at Milford and played a big role on both sides of the ball at many positions,” said Milford head coach Dale Olson.

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Matt Tourigney – Mansfield – Senior
Mansfield senior Matt Tourigney had a memorable final season with the Hornets, making impactful plays on both sides of the ball. Lining up on the end defensively, his speed and strength caused a lot of problems for defenses, and his instincts resulted in some huge plays, including a pair of interceptions returned for touchdowns. Offensively, he was a huge part of the run game with his blocking at tight end and then also came up with some crucial catches. He finished the year with 43 tackles, including two for a loss and three sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. Offensively, he had 10 catches for 156 yards and one touchdown. “Matt played nearly every snap for us and was a tight end that could block like an offensive tackle but could run routes like a wide receiver,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding. “As a senior, he added outside linebacker to his plate where he was one of our leading tacklers. Most importantly, he helped lead a young team all year long.”

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Linebackers

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Aiden Astorino – King Philip – Senior
King Philip senior Aiden Astorino put together another terrific season for the Warriors, who went undefeated in the regular season, clinched a second straight Kelley-Rex division title, and returned to Gillette Stadium for the Division 2 state title game. While he still factored in offensively as a blocker and runner (22 carries, 150 yards, five touchdowns), Astorino really stood out on the defensive end and earned HockomockSports Hock 5 honors at linebacker for the second straight year, and was named the Kelley-Rex division MVP. He led a very stout KP defense with a team-high 53.5 tackles, two sacks, and had three interceptions. “He’s first on our defensive productivity chart, the first player in program history to earn over 200 points — this makes him our most productive defensive player ever!” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee. “By far the best football IQ we’ve had since I’ve been at KP.”
 

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Ryan Bannon – North Attleboro – Senior
North Attleboro senior Ryan Bannon had a dominant season on both sides of the ball for the Div. 3 Super Bowl champions. The HockomockSports.com Player of the Year (see above) rushed for 880 yards (averaging nearly seven yards per carry) and 13 touchdowns. The Georgetown-commit also caught four scores. On defense, Bannon, a three-year starter at running back and linebacker, was the team’s leader with 55 tackles, including 13 for loss, had one sack, and scored another touchdown on defense. He was selected as the Davenport division MVP by the league’s coaches. North coach Mike Strachan said, “Ryan was the best player in the Hockomock League this season, doing it on both sides of the ball.”

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Tallan King – King Philip – Junior
King Philip junior Tallan King had a breakout season, making a massive impact on both sides of the ball for the Kelley-Rex division champion Warriors. Whether it was at running back or linebacker, King was able to impact the game in a positive way for KP. He finished the season with 20.5 tackles and tied for the team lead in sacks with Nick Gallagher with 4.5 sacks. In a deep and talented group of running backs, King posted a team-high 16 touchdowns as a go-to reliable option down by the goal line. He finished with 765 yards on 80 carries, an average of 9.6 yards per carry, and didn’t fumble all season. “He’s so versatile on defense which means we can put him anywhere,” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee. “He was a scoring machine on offense and a very physical runner.”

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Jake Marcell – Canton – Junior
Canton junior Jake Marcell made a terrific first impression in his first full season with the Bulldogs, emerging as a top player on both sides of the ball. He was a standout linebacker and a playmaker offensively for the Bulldogs before an injury cut his season short, still earning Hockomock League all star honors. Defensively, he was all over the place and recorded 50 tackles, including an impressive 13 for a loss and three sacks, adding five quarterback pressures while blocking three extra point attempts. In just six games on offense, he had one rushing touchdown and hauled in 21 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He also averaged 36 yards punting for Canton. “Jake is an incredible football player who helped us get to the next level this year,” said Canton head coach Anthony Fallon. “I can’t wait to see what he does next year.”

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Alex Weber – Franklin – Junior
Franklin junior Alex Weber burst onto the scene as an impact player for the Panthers this season. He played in all three phases of the game, making the biggest impact on the defensive side of the ball. He was all over the place, making plays even if the play went to the opposite of the field he started on. He was also a strong blocker offensively and contributed to the return game, including a kick return for a touchdown against Brockton in Franklin’s home opener. He finished the season with 48.5 tackles, including 13.5 for a loss, five quarterback pressures, three pass breakups, one interception, and a pair of forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. “Alex was an absolute workhorse for us this year that rarely came off the field,” said Franklin head coach Todd Kiley. “There is not a player on either sideline that is going to outwork Alex. A tough as nails throw-back that made an enormous impact on all three sides of the ball.”

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Defensive Backs

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Jack Assini – King Philip – Senior
King Philip senior Jack Assini made some big plays this fall and helped the Warriors have one of the best defenses in the state this season. King Philip’s defense allowed just 11.5 points per game this season, and just 8.3 points per game in the regular season. A big reason for KP’s success defensively was their secondary, which featured fellow Hock 5 Defensive Back selections Brandon Nicastro and Tommy Kilroy. He recorded 28 tackles on the season while shutting down some top receivers, adding two interceptions that were both returned for touchdowns, one against Marblehead and one against Taunton. “He finished third on our defensive productivity chart and second on the team in tackles,” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee. “Anytime Jack was near the ball for us, on offense or defense, positive things just seemed to follow. Such a high compete level.”

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Kareem Chaplin – Canton – Senior
Canton senior Kareem Chaplin capped his career with a terrific final season with the Bulldogs. Chaplin had such an impact on each game that he could have easily fit in a couple of other position groups in these awards. On the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 42 tackles, including two for a loss, had eight pass breakups, four interceptions, and a fumble recovery. He was a huge spark on the offensive side this season and was one of the most dangerous players with the ball in his hands. He had 45 carries for 421 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns and hauled in 31 catches for 404 yards and five more touchdowns. On special teams, he was also incredibly dangerous, averaging 31.2 yards on kick returns with two touchdown returns, and 17.9 yards on each punt return. “Kareem is the most explosive player I have ever coached,” said Canton head coach Anthony Fallon. “He changed the game in all three phases. He covered the best guy, he was the best guy, and he changed field position by just being out there.”

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Kaden Hassett – Foxboro – Senior
Foxboro senior Kaden Hassett was a leader on the defensive side of the ball this season for the Warriors, who secured a share of the program’s second straight Davenport division title and earned a return trip to Gillette Stadium for a state championship appearance. A three-year starter in Foxboro’s secondary, Hassett has been like a quarterback on that side of the ball and organizes the rest of the secondary. He finished his career with 122 tackles, including nine interceptions and 11 pass deflections, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries, and four blocked kicks. “A first-class young man, Kaden was responsible for secondary and second level adjustments throughout his career with an outstanding football IQ for formation recognition,” said Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli.

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Tommy Kilroy – King Philip – Senior
King Philip senior Tommy Kilroy made a big impact on both sides of the ball for the Warriors this season and played a big role in helping the team reach the state championship again this year. He helped form one of the top secondaries in the state alongside fellow Hock 5 Defensive Back selections Jack Assini and Brandon Nicastro, the first time three players from one team have been selected to a Hock 5 position group. Defensively, he had 25 tackles and grabbed four interceptions, including a 45-yard pick six against Milford. He was also a team leader offensively, hauling in a team-high 21 catches for 297 yards, and also handled punting duties for KP. “He was second on our defensive productivity chart, third on the team in tackles, and our leading receiver and punter,” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee. “Tommy did so much for us this year in all three phases of the game, not sure how we replace a kid like that.”

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Brandon Nicastro – King Philip – Senior
King Philip senior Brandon Nicastro had another stellar year this season playing on both sides of the ball for the Kelley-Rex division champion Warriors. In his second season starting in the secondary, Nicastro was a part of a very talented group that also included fellow Hock 5 Defensive Back selections Jack Assini and Tommy Kilroy. Nicastro was also a factor offensively as a receiver, finishing with nine catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Nicastro was able to limit or shut down top receivers on opposing teams and helped KP hold teams to 11.5 points per game this year. Defensively, he had 19.5 tackles and four interceptions, including a pick six. He was also KP’s top returner, with 11 kickoff returns for 254 yards and one touchdown and 17 punt returns for 211 yards and a touchdown. “He’s the best corner we’ve ever had, he’s been lockdown for two seasons,” said King Philip head coach Brian Lee. “We knew he could play defense from last season but his performance on special teams was such a huge surprise!”

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HockomockSports.com Hock 5 Special Teams

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Austin Clemente – North Attleboro – Senior
North Attleboro senior Austin Clemente made the most of his return from Bishop Feehan, giving the Rocketeers a consistent weapon on special teams and helping them secure a first Super Bowl title in more than two decades. Clemente had a terrific all-around season, finishing with 58 points, going 52-of-57 on extra points, and making 2-of-3 field goals. He was also the team’s leading kick returner with 146 return yards (an average of 18 yards per return). Defensively, Clemente added 52 tackles, including five for loss. North coach Mike Strachan said, “Austin is an explosive football player making great plays on Defense. Austin ended the season with 52 tackles. In addition, to being a standout defensive player, Austin was a big time kicker that gave us an opportunity to put points on the board with his kicking ability.”

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Trinley Dudley – Taunton – Junior
Taunton senior Trinley Dudley was once again a reliable option in the kicking game and had a very accurate final season playing for the Tigers. Beyond his ability to deliver in the kicking game, he became a weapon for Taunton this year on kickoffs with seven touchdowns and in the punting game, landing five kicks inside the 20-yard line. He was a perfect 30-for-30 on point after attempts this season and went 4-for-5 on field goals. Dudley is a two-time selection for the Hock 5 Special Teams group. “Trinley is an incredibly valuable kicker and punter,” said Taunton head coach Brad Sidwell. “We will miss him, he’s being recruited to kick in college.”

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Joey McGee – Milford – Junior
Milford junior Joey McGee stepped into the kicker role this fall with big shoes to fill and had a successful season for the Hawks. Milford had one of the best kickers in the league the last couple of seasons in Nick Araujo (last year’s HockomockSports Player of the Year). McGee was a reliable kicker from the beginning and booted a league-best seven field goals, including a 43-yarder against Franklin. He also had a field goal and a successful point after in the fourth quarter of Milford’s upset of Masconomet. He was also a contributor on the defensive side at safety. “Joey was a standout at safety for us and also kicked seven field goals this year,” said Milford head coach Dale Olson. “Joey is an exceptional athlete and will probably be our QB next year.”

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Wes Tinkham – Stoughton – Senior
Stoughton senior Wes Tinkham was a bright spot for the Black Knights this season and contributed in a variety of ways. He was a weapon in the return game and was the team’s top receiver. When the Knights needed it, he stepped in and played quarterback for the last three games of the season. He had five total touchdowns on the year, one on a kick return, one receiving score, and three rushing touchdowns for Stoughton. “Wes is a leader on and off the field,” said second-year Stoughton coach Chris Evans. “He is a role model for younger players. Great player, better person. Has a bright future with interest in playing at the next level.”

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James Warren – Mansfield – Junior
Mansfield junior James Warren gave the Hornets a weapon in the kicking game this season, helping the team earn a share of the Davenport division title and a spot in the Division 3 championship game. He connected on three field goals during the season and was a reliable leg on point after attempts, hitting 42 extra points this year. “One of the most consistent kickers we have ever had and nearly automatic on PATs and field goals inside the 25-yard line,” said Mansfield head coach Mike Redding. “He really worked hard on his craft in the offseason and our special teams were outstanding with James (and teammate Evan Hefez – kickoff specialist) leading the way.”

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Attleboro sophomore Brayden Jones has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Football Underclassman of the Year, given to the top sophomore or freshman in the league. Jones stepped in as the starter under center for the Bombardiers and helped the team secure a state tournament berth.

Jones got some experience as a freshman and entered this year very confident with the ball in his hand, capable of making plays with both his arm and his legs. Attleboro had wins over Stoughton, Sharon, and Milford while playing Franklin to a one-score game.

“Brayden put in a lot of work in the offseason to get himself ready for varsity football as a sophomore,” said Attleboro head coach Jim Winters. “His work ethic won over the older kids on the team and they rallied behind him. A tough kid that is willing to stand in there to deliver the pass under pressure. Everything you want in a quarterback: intelligent, hard worker who looks at the big picture of the whole offense and understands how all his teammates fit into every play.”

He completed nearly 60% of his passes this year, going 130-for-219 (59.4%) for 1,388 yards and had six touchdown passes. He also added a pair of touchdowns with his legs, rushing for scores against Milford and tossing the game-winning touchdown to classmate Madden Murray in the fourth quarter against the Scarlet Hawks.

“Brayden was very confident under center and showed some good poise for a sophomore,” said HockomockSports Editor Ryan Lanigan. “He improved as the season went on despite going against some of the toughest defense in the state like King Philip and in the league like Franklin. The future is very bright for the Attleboro offense.”

Jones is the second Attleboro player to earn this honor and the first in over a decade, joining Kyle Murphy (2013), who went on to briefly join the New York Giants after a successful career at URI. He’s the fifth quarterback, joining Taunton’s Dylan Keenan (2023) and Noah Leonard (2016) and North Attleboro’s Chad Peterson (2015) and Tyler DeMattio (2019).

Honorable Mention: Madden Murray (Attleboro), Owen Essam (Franklin), Mitchell Callender (OA)

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North Attleboro head coach Mike Strachan has been selected as the 2024 HockomockSports.com Football Coach of the Year. Strachan guided the Rocketeers through a challenging regular season filled with injuries and then to a Division 3 state championship, the program’s first Super Bowl win in over two decades.

North Attleboro posted an 11-2 overall record for the season, finishing tied for third in the Davenport division. The Rocketeers dominated the non-league competition, knocking off Lynn Classical, Lynnfield, and Taunton to start the season by a combined score of 111-28. Despite tough losses to league rivals Canton and Foxboro, North secured the fourth seed in the Division 3 state tournament. From there, the Rocketeers were close to unstoppable.

Despite missing some key players at times, including HockomockSports Player of the Year, Strachan’s Rocketeers outscored opponents 154-34 in four playoff games, including a 35-0 win over rival Mansfield in the Division 3 state championship.

“It was impressive how North was able to overcome some challenging injuries throughout the year, and Coach Strachan really leaned on a deep and talented senior class to lead the way,” said HockomockSports.com Editor Ryan Lanigan. “It was a next man up mentality all season and when North was finally fully healthy for the state championship, they showed how good this team could be.

This is the second time that Strachan has been named the HockomockSports.com Coach of the Year, and the first in a decade when he earned the honor with Attleboro in 2013. He’s also the first coach in any sport to win the award with two different programs in the same sport.

Honorable Mentions: Mike Redding (Mansfield), Brian Lee (King Philip), Todd Kiley (Franklin), Anthony Fallon (Canton)