Meet the T&G Hometeam Football Offensive all-stars
The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, with the Central Mass High School Sports Awards program, is proud to announce the nominees for the Football Offensive Athlete of the Year. The winner will be announced during the live show on Wednesday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at the Hanover Theatre.
During the live show, these nominees will be honored, along with the athletes of the year in 30 other sports. Nominated athletes who RSVP will receive a free ticket to the event thanks to sponsors. Additional tickets may be purchased on the show’s website.
The Central Mass High School Awards show is part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the largest high school sports recognition program in the country. Last year’s show can still be viewed online at this link. This year, one school from the area will win a $1,000 donation to its school’s athletic department. More details on that are coming soon.
Here are the nominees for the Football Offensive Athlete of the Year:
Dylan Adamson
Lunenburg High
Senior, Receiver
It was a senior season filled with individual and team superlatives for Adamson. The 6-foot, 160-pound wideout set school records for receiving yards in a season (976) and a game (207) and receiving touchdowns in a game (3) and tied the mark for receiving TDs in a career (12) while helping the Blue Knights go 6-5 and qualify for the Division 7 state tournament. Adamson, who aspires to play baseball in college, considers his most memorable moment of the season to be a comeback win over Tyngsborough before a capacity Homecoming crowd that earned the Blue Knights a share of the Mid-Wach D championship. He is the son of Jess and Tim Adamson of Lunenburg.
Stefano Allen
St. Bernard’s High
Senior, Offensive Line
A student of the game, Allen was dominate and durable while helping the Bernardians go 11-2 and advance to the Division 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. The 6-foot-1, 255-pound road paver/pocket protector lined up at tackle for an offense that averaged 35.2 points and, as he didn’t take a snap off, collected 18 tackles and a sack while deployed at defensive end. Allen was honored as the St. Bernard’s Lineman of the Year and the Dual Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year. His most memorable moment of the season was participating in the Bernardians’ annual preseason camp in New Hampshire. Allen aspires to become an electrician. He is the son of Marylisa Allen of Fitchburg.
Cooper Berube
Grafton High
Senior, Offensive Line
A vocal and inspirational leader, Berube captained the Gators to an 11-2 record and a berth in the Division 4 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. The 6-foot-1, 230-pound guard opened holes and sealed pass rushing lanes for an offense packed with playmakers. Defensively, Berube collected 116 tackles, including 14 for a loss, 3 interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown, 2 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles at middle linebacker. His most memorable moment of the season was playing on the Patriots’ home field. Berube, whose hobbies include language learning, will continue his football career and study engineering at Johns Hopkins University. He is the son of Heather and Joe Berube of Grafton.
Rikervin “Ricky” Encarnacion
Leominster High
Senior, Receiver
Encarnacion put on a highlight show every week as the Blue Devils went 8-3, won the Mid-Wach A title and qualified for the Division 2 state tournament. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound playmaker averaged 18.3 yards a reception and 9.4 yards a carry while amassing 20 touchdowns — including two on returns — and 1,600-plus all-purpose yards. Defensively, he collected 43 tackles, 4 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries at safety. He will play next year at the University of New Haven. Encarnacion's most memorable moment of the season came when he scored the game-winning touchdown with eight seconds to play to defeat Shrewsbury while wearing uniform No. 7 to honor the recent passing of Ricky White, his youth coach and mentor. He is the son of Katia Encarnacion of Leominster.
Ryan Gleason
Millbury High
Senior, Quarterback
Gleason was elusive and explosive in his first season at quarterback while leading the Woolies to a 10-1 record and the Division 7 state quarterfinals. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound dynamo completed 78% of his passes for 1,323 yards and 17 touchdowns and averaged 9.2 yards a carry while rushing for 1,391 yards and 20 TDs. He ranked 11th in Central Mass. in scoring with 128 points. Gleason’s most memorable moment of the season was defeating Uxbridge, 42-41, on Senior Night. A standout sprinter in track and three-sport captain, Gleason will continue his football career at Bates College and, while undecided about a major, aspires to become a lawyer. He is the son of Kirsten and Peter Gleason of Millbury.
Bobby Humphrey
West Boylston High
Senior, Running Back
It was another stellar season for Humphrey as this two-time T&G Super Team selection captained the Lions to an 11-2 record and the Division 7 Super Bowl championship at Gillette Stadium. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound tailback, who attends Tahanto Regional, which co-ops with West Boylston, powered his way to 811 yards and, for the second straight year, 14 touchdowns A hard-hitting middle linebacker, Humphrey recorded 59 tackles and a pair of sacks as the Lions allowed 12.3 points a game. His most memorable moment of the season was participating in the victorious trophy ceremony at Gillette. Humphrey plans to major in computer science and engineering in college. He is the son of Ericka and Jay Humphrey of Boylston.
Damien Jones
St. Bernard’s High
Senior, Running Back
Jones was a triple threat as a runner, receiver and returner while propelling the Bernardians to an 11-2 record and the Division 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. The 5-foot-7, 155-pound gamebreaker averaged 12.7 yards a carry while rushing for 1,764 yards, had 110-plus receiving yards and scored 30 touchdowns, including three on kick returns. A two-year captain and two-time T&G Super Team selection who also played safety and punted, he finished with a Central Mass.-leading 202 points. Jones, who helped the Bernardians win the 2019 D8 state title as a freshman, considers playing at Gillette again to be his most memorable moment of the season. He is the son of Ashley Deveneau and C.J. Jones of Fitchburg.
Kellen LaChapelle
Uxbridge High
Junior, Quarterback
LaChapelle made plays in the pocket and on the run while guiding the Spartans to an 8-3 record and the Division 7 state quarterfinals in his second season as a starter. The 5-foot-7, 160-pound escape artist rushed for 1,082 yards and 20 touchdowns on 73 carries (14.8 average) while scoring 124 points and was 46 of 86 passing for 739 yards and 10 TDs. LaChapelle, who also played defensive back, considers his most memorable moment of the season to be the Spartans’ down-to-the-wire, 36-34 win over Lunenburg in the first round of the playoffs, a thriller in which he rushed for 108 yards and two TDs. He is the son of Korey and Trevor LaChapelle of Uxbridge.
Angelo LaRose
South High
Senior, Running Back
LaRose capped a record-setting run by captaining the Colonels to a 9-2 record, the program’s first Inter-High championship in 34 years and a return trip to the Division 4 state tournament. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound back rushed for 1,852 yards and a Central Mass.-best 31 touchdowns to finish his career with 5,581 yards — good for eighth in state history — and 84 total TDs. A two-time T&G Super Team selection, LaRose was named to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association’s Super 26 all-state team as a linebacker (101 tackles, 6 sacks) after making it as a running back last fall. LaRose will continue his football career and study economics/business at Wesleyan University. He is the son of Angelina and Bob LaRose of Worcester.
Tucker McDonald
Wachusett Regional
Senior, Quarterback
McDonald was a precise and productive passer who presided over most potent offense in program history as the Mountaineers went 8-3 and earned a return trip to the Division 1 state tournament. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete extraordinaire was 194 for 315 passing for 2,544 yards and 38 touchdowns as the Mountaineers scored 455 points. Those are all school-record numbers for this two-time T&G Super Team selection who was named to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association’s Super 26 all-state team. McDonald, whose most memorable moment of the season was defeating Mid-Wach A rival Shrewsbury on Thanksgiving, also rushed for 434 yards and nine TDs on 40 carries and saw time at defensive back and as a punter. A three-year starter who finished his career with a 22-6 record, McDonald will continue his football career and major in sports management at the University of Connecticut as he seeks to reach the NFL. He is the son of Kathryn and P.J. McDonald of Holden.
Jake O’Brien
West Boylston High
Senior, Offensive Line
O’Brien combined technique, strength and determination to keep the pocket clean and his backs running free as the Lions went 11-2 and captured the Division 7 Super Bowl championship at Gillette Stadium. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound guard paved the way for a ground-based offense that rushed for nearly 3,500 yards and 54 touchdowns. Defensively, the interior lineman made 35 tackles, including 10 for a loss, and seven sacks as the Lions posted four shutouts. O’Brien’s most memorable moment of the season was defeating St. Bernard’s at Gillette Stadium, which made the Lions the first Central Mass. football team to win a statewide tournament title. He is the son of Rebecca and David O’Brien of West Boylston.
Zak Parmenter
Oxford High
Senior, Offensive Line
It was twice as nice for Parmenter as this two-year, two-way starter played a lead role in helping the Pirates go 10-2 and, in what was his most memorable moment of the season, advance to the Division 8 state semifinals for the second straight season. The 5-foot-10, 275-pound guard, who scored two touchdowns and was named offensive MVP in the Pirates’ win over Bay Path on Thanksgiving, paved the way up for a unit that averaged 34 points. Parmenter was a disruptor at defensive end who collected a team-high 49 tackles and Central Mass.-best 16 sacks as he reached double digits in quarterback takedowns for the second consecutive year. He is the son of Michelle and Mike Parmenter of Oxford.
Honorable Mention
Division 1
Brad Blattner, Shrewsbury
Joe Cappabianca, Wachusett
Tommy Caputo, Shrewsbury
Aidan McGeary, Wachusett
Garrett Ranieri, St. John's
Harrison Rohlfs, Wachusett
Ben Wing, St. John's
Grayson Baker, Wachusett
Division 2
Bryan Aguilar, Leominster
Jayden Atherly, Doherty
Josh Cormier, Leominster
John Escabi, Leominster
Ethan Falvey, Doherty
Ryan Flanagan, Doherty
Kevin Galvez, Doherty
Patrick Hanlon, Algonquin
Natalo Maggiolino, Algonquin
Makai Stinson-Newton, Leominster
Dylan Terra, Algonquin
Jon Valentine, Algonquin
Delmahr Wright, Leominster
Division 3
Abe Baublis, Westborough
Brady Gelineau, Shepherd Hill
Sebastian Grillo, Westborough
Joshua Harrison, Shepherd Hill
Joe Marino, Westborough
Josh Medina, Fitchburg
Devin Rowden, Shepherd Hill
Janiele Silvestre, Fitchburg
Doherian Wells, Fitchburg
Lucas Welton, Shepherd Hill
Division 4
Ransford Adri, South
Anderson Arpano, South
Miguel Borges, Marlborough
Ryanne Chibani, Grafton
Jax Christman, Nashoba
Isaac Colon, Tantasqua
Matt Curran, Nashoba
Giorgio Domonico, Nashoba
Lexi Estrada, South
Brady Flannery, Nashoba
Mike Guthrie, Nashoba
Owen Hathaway, Marlborough
Liam Hubacz, Tantasqua
Casey Jordan, Grafton
Mike Karentang, South
Liam Kelley, Nashoba
Thomas Keufler, Nashoba
Mark Kogan, Grafton
Nolan Losty, Nashoba
Riley McCann, Grafton
Terrence McCarthy, Marlborough
Deanpre McCloud, South
Aiden Morrow, South
Cirian Murphy, Nashoba
Derek Plowman, Tantasqua
Howie Priest, Marlborough
Nick St. George, Grafton
Nealon Stemple, Marlborough
Tyson Thomas, Grafton
Trevor Whitmore, Marlborough
Wesley Williams, Grafton
Division 5
Matt Adams, Auburn
Rafael Albano, Auburn
Mateo Arellano, Maynard
Jake Attaway, Hudson
Nate Bushnell, Groton-Dunstable
Lucas Cail, Maynard
Alec Cintron, Auburn
Wyatt Dancy, Worcester Tech
Keenan Fleming, Worcester Tech
Dylan Gallo, Maynard
Tavin Hirsch, Maynard
Will Hollenbeck, Monty Tech
Caleb Luz, Hudson
Charles Manu, Jr., Worcester Tech
Ty Mullahy, Hudson
Anas Nyamekye, Worcester Tech
Brendon O'Brien, Hudson
Keating Oliver, Auburn
Dylan Paradis, Groton-Dunstable
Sebastian Perez, Monty Tech
Logan Quinn, Monty Tech
Jacob Rudd, Hudson
Will Stachowicz, Maynard
Colin Taylor, Groton-Dunstable
Gabe Thorin, Worcester Tech
Ryan Yates, Hudson
Division 6
Cole Austin, Quabbin
Sam Bazydlo, Valley Tech
Kaden Brochu, Bay Path
Anthony Catino, Bay Path
Brock Chapman, Valley Tech
Sam Curtis, Oakmont
Gabriel Espinosa, Bay Path
Adam Fransen, Valley Tech
Chris Hatch, Assabet
Daniel Heisler, Nipmuc
Brady Karmelek, Nipmuc
Jack Lizewski, St. Paul
Rob Lowe, Oakmont
Tevin Mazyck, St. Paul
Christian Morrice, Nipmuc
Jonathan Nussey, Bay Path
Georgios Pirperis, Bay Path
Gino Renzoni, St. Paul
Jayden Roderigues, Valley Tech
Isiah Smith, Oakmont
Jordan St. Pierre, Valley Tech
Nick Warburton, Quabbin
Colton Wells, Quabbin
Nick Whitlock, Valley Tech
Troy Vento, Oakmont
Josh Walsh-Karam, St. Paul
Division 7
Ragey Abdikadir, Burncoat
Dominic Beaudoin, St. Bernard's
Aiden Blood, Uxbridge
Brady Burns, Lunenburg
Alex Chouinard, Clinton
Anthony Fair, Uxbridge
Luke Foley, West Boylston
Lucas Friedman, Millbury
Ian Gahan, Northbridge
Mitchel Giggey, Leicester
Brian Holmes, Ayer-Shirley
Nick Kolifrath, Millbury
Ryan LaBonte, Uxbridge
Rocco LaMonica, St. Bernard's
Antonio Mancini, St. Bernard's
Cam Marshall, Ayer-Shirley
Griffin Metcalf, Leicester
Jonathan Miranda, Southbridge
Mark Moran, Clinton
Connor Muldoon, West Boylston
Zach Oliveira, Uxbridge
Lou Parenteau, Clinton
Anthony Phillipo, Millbury
Brian Smith, West Boylston
Kyle St. Laurent, Southbridge
Chris Talbot, Millbury
Matt Visbeek, Northbridge
Darnell Woodson, St. Bernard's
Javen Nazario, Sutton
Division 8
Jamari Andrews, Gardner
Derek Baah, Abby Kelley
Jason Baxter, Narragansett
John Bednarczyk, Murdock
Travis Benoit, Oxford
Meron Brown, North
Nate Church, Quaboag
Quinn Clarkson, Oxford
Jordan Deleon, Oxford
Bryce Douglas, Quaboag
Connor Fantasia, Oxford
Nelson Febles, North
Robert Fischer, Oxford
Cam Goodrich, David Prouty
Cam Hoey, Narragansett
Nay Jean Holley, Bartlett
Logan Josti, David Prouty
Julian Kondratowicz, David Prouty
Adam Laguere, Abby Kelley
Drew Martinez, Quaboag
Mike Mason, David Prouty
Bryce Matazewski, Narragansett
Brett Morgan, Oxford
Judelius Neiray, David Prouty
Tim Paine, David Prouty
Cole Patterson, Murdock
Josh Ramirez, Bartlett
Ayden Sparrow, Gardner
Javon Tessier, Gardner
Jarius Williams, Murdock
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Check out the T&G Hometeam high school football offensive all-stars
