Football: Pleasantville's Picart named best in Class B; 2022 small-school all-state picks

Eugene Rapay, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·2 min read

The New York State Sportswriters Association has released its 2022 small-school all-state teams, honoring the best in the state in Class B, C and D high school football.

Pleasantville junior standout, two-way weapon Daniel Picart, added to his long list of accolades when he was named the state's Class B co-player of the year, sharing the honor with Maine-Endwell lineman Adam DeSantis.

Picart had an impressive all-around season, racking up 1,931 rushing yards with 19 touchdowns. He also added 421 receiving yards with seven touchdowns. He also accounted for four interceptions, one blocked field goal and a pick-six on defense. All in all, he generated 2,654 all-purpose yards, averaging 199.3 per game, with a total of 27 touchdowns.

Picart was also named Section 1's overall player of the year and Section 1 Class B player of the year.

Class AA and A (large-school) all-state teams are slated for release by the NYSSWA next week.

As for Section 1's small-school football players, 27 of them earned all-state honors. Here's a look at which players were recognized:

Pleasantville's Daniel Picart (10) looks for some running room in the Byram Hills defense during football action at Parkway Field in Pleasantville Sept. 30, 2022. Pleasantville won the game 17-14.
Pleasantville's Daniel Picart (10) looks for some running room in the Byram Hills defense during football action at Parkway Field in Pleasantville Sept. 30, 2022. Pleasantville won the game 17-14.

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Class B

New York State Class B Co-Player of the Year: Daniel Picart, Sr., RB/DB, Pleasantville

First-team offense: Joe Alesawy, Sr., OL, Pleasantville; James Moran, Sr., RB, Nanuet; Luke Weiler, Jr., K, Byram Hills

First-team defense: George Gjelaj, Sr., DL, Byram Hills

Second-team defense: Gavin Javorsky, Sr., DB, Byram Hills; Sean Siegel, Sr., LB, Byram Hills

Third-team defense: Luke Flanagan, Sr., DL, Nanuet

Fourth-team defense: Ryan Horigan, Jr., LB, Pleasantville; Cooper Kittsley, Sr., DL, Pleasantville

Honorable mention: Aidan Wels, Sr., OL/DL, Ardsley

Westlake's Christian Occhipinti (32) looks for some running room in the Valhalla defense during football action at Valhalla High School Oct. 21, 2022.
Westlake's Christian Occhipinti (32) looks for some running room in the Valhalla defense during football action at Valhalla High School Oct. 21, 2022.

Class C

First-team offense: Michael Clarke, Sr., OL, Westlake; Christian Occhipinti, Sr., RB, Westlake

Second-team offense: J.P. D'Inverno, Sr., WR, Blind Brook

Third-team offense: Brandon Holman, Sr., RB, Dobbs Ferry; Mike LaRusso, Sr., RB, Albertus Magnus

Third-team defense: Chris Kalle, Jr., DB, Westlake

Honorable mention: Basiaka Butcher, Sr., WR, Valhalla; Devan Cooper, WR, Valhalla; Dan Costa, Sr., OL/DL, Westlake; Brian Dann, Sr., RB, Dobbs Ferry

Tuckahoe quarterback Michael Annunziata (6) fires a pass during football action against Westlake at Westlake High School in Thornwood on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Tuckahoe won 35-32.
Tuckahoe quarterback Michael Annunziata (6) fires a pass during football action against Westlake at Westlake High School in Thornwood on Saturday, September 10, 2022. Tuckahoe won 35-32.

Class D

First team offense: Michael Annunziata, Sr., QB, Tuckahoe; John Benke, Sr., TE, Tuckahoe

Second team defense: Evan Giachinta, Sr., LB, Haldane; Jason Smith, Sr., LB Tuckahoe

Honorable mention: Thaddeus Curylo, So., OL/DL, Tuckahoe; Jake Mason, Sr., OL/DL, Haldane

Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: High school football: 2022 Class B, C, D small-school all-state picks