Meet the T&G Hometeam Football Defensive all-stars

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, with the Central Mass High School Sports Awards program, is proud to announce the nominees for the Football Defensive 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 Defensive Athlete of the Year:

Cooper Ackerman

Shrewsbury High

Junior, Defensive Line

Ackerman was stout at the point of attack and disruptive in the pocket while helping the Colonials earn a return trip to the Division 1 state tournament. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound end collected 86 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles for a unit that held four opponents to 15 points or less. Deployed at tight end on offense, he caught 14 passes for 203 yards (14.5 average) and two touchdowns. Ackerman considers the Colonials’ 18-15 win over crosstown rival St. John’s in Week 2 to be his most memorable moment of the season. This Division 1 recruit has offers from Boston College, Connecticut and Rutgers and is being courted by multiple other Power Five schools. He is the son of Stephanie and Robert Ackerman.

Brandon Alfaro

Marlborough High

Senior, Defensive Back

Alfaro made an impact in all three phases as the Panthers went 8-3 and qualified for the Division 4 state tournament for the second straight season. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound captain led a defense that yielded a Central Mass.-low 11.7 points a game and displayed his ball skills with a 45-yard interception return. Alfaro also made 15 receptions for 319 yards (21.3 average) and six touchdowns, returned kickoffs and punts and converted 31 of 37 PATs. His most memorable moment of the season occurred at the always-emotional senior sendoff known as “The burning of the cleat.” Alfaro aspires to continue his football career and major in kinesiology in college. He is the son of Carmen and Nixon Alfaro of Marlborough.

Pat Andrews

Maynard High

Senior, Linebacker

Andrews was a sideline-to-sideline defender as the Tigers went 8-3 record and advanced to the Division 5 state quarterfinals. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound captain, who attends Advanced Math and Science Academy, which co-ops with Maynard, racked up 64 tackles and five sacks for a unit that allowed 16.5 points a game. Deployed at tight end and running back on offense, he parlayed 26 receptions and 27 carries into 748 yards and 12 touchdowns. His most memorable moment of the season occurred in Week 1, as the Tigers upset Division 2 power Chelmsford on the road. Alfaro plans to major in business in college. He is the son of Nicole and Paul Andrews of Marlborough.

Noah Barerra

South High

Senior, Defensive Line

Barrera made his large and physical presence felt each and every week as the Colonels went 9-2, claimed their first Inter-High championship in 34 years and advanced to the Division 4 state tournament for the second successive season. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound end made 58 tackles and four sacks, recovered three fumbles and blocked two punts for a unit that surrendered 11.8 points a game, second best in Central Mass. A blocking tight end on offense, his most memorable moment of the season came when the Colonels made a last-minute, goal-line stand to defeat Division 1 Shrewsbury, 13-7, in Week 10. Barrera is interested in pursuing a career as a diesel mechanic or in finance. He is the son of Andrea and Jesus Barrera of Worcester.

Brendan Burke

Quaboag Regional

Senior, Linebacker

Burke once again made an impact on both sides of the ball as the Cougars went 9-2 and earned a return trip to the Division 8 state tournament. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound two-time T&G Super Team selection amassed 114 tackles, nine sacks and an interception for a defense that held seven opponents to six points or less. Offensively, Burke ranked fifth in rushing (1,655 yards) and ninth in scoring (136 points) in Central Mass. While there was no specific moment, the memories of the success the Cougars experienced as a team in his final season will always be memorable. Burke plans to pursue a collegiate path that will lead him to become a doctor or into biotechnology research. He is the son of Amy and Jonathan Burke of Warren.

Liam Donagher

Grafton High

Senior, Defensive Back

Donagher did it all and did it at a high level while leading the Gators to an 11-2 record and the Division 4 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety made 20-plus tackles and tied for second in Central Mass. with six interceptions, leading to his selection to the Massachusetts High School Football Coaches Association’s Super 26 all-state team. And when Donagher was on the other side of the ball, he tormented DBs to the tune of 65 receptions for 989 yards (15.2 average) and 16 touchdowns. A returner and a kicker, as well, he scored 131 points. Donagher, who has his sights set on playing Division 1 college football, considers his most memorable moment of the season to have come in Week 6 when his last-minute TD catch lifted the Gators to a 13-12 win over Division 1 Shrewsbury. He is the son of Christina and Kevin Donagher of Grafton.

Lucas Lambert

Oxford High

Senior, Defensive Back

Lambert captained the Pirates through one of the finest two-year stretches in program history, one that was capped by going 10-2 and returning to the Division 8 state semifinals. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound safety piled up 40 tackles, an interception, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery for a defense that limited six opponents to seven-points or less. Offensively, this dual-threat quarterback was 106 of 181 passing for 2,127 yards and 29 touchdowns and averaged 8.2 yards a carry while rushing for 874 yards and 16 scores. The Pirates’ 34-33 loss to KIPP Academy in the state semis was Lambert’s most memorable moment of the season as it was an overall unforgettable experience. He is the son of Shelley and Eric Lambert of Oxford.

Jamie McNamara

West Boylston High

Junior, Defensive Line

McNamara was a fast, physical and savvy force on both sides of the ball while helping the Lions go 11-2 and win the Division 7 Super Bowl championship at Gillette Stadium. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound end collected 38 tackles and five sacks for a defense that allowed 12.3 points a game to rank third in Central Mass. Offensively, McNamara rushed for 1,085 yards and 22 touchdowns and converted 16 PATs while scoring 142 points. McNamara, who attends Tahanto Regional, which co-ops with West Boylston, considers the Super Bowl victory to be his most memorable moment of the season, one that wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of his coaches and teammates. He is the son of Heather and Jamie McNamara of Berlin.

Matthew Raeke

Wachusett Regional

Senior, Linebacker

It was a superb and satisfying senior season for Raeke as he returned early from offseason ACL surgery to fully contribute in all three phases as the Mountaineers went 8-3 and earned a return trip to the Division 1 state tournament. The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder brought size, speed, strength, and skill to the defense as a linebacker, special teams as a returner and offense as a receiver. Raeke caught 49 passes for 745 yards _ both single-season school records _ and scored 11 touchdowns as the Mountaineers scored a program-record 455 points. Raeke’s most memorable moment of the season was defeating Shrewsbury on Thanksgiving after losing to their league rival the previous year as he watched from the sideline. He is the son of Kristin and T.J. Raeke of Holden.

Jiovanni Roman

Leominster High

Senior, Defensive Line

Roman helped spearhead a bounce-back season for the Blue Devils, who went 8-3 to double their win total from the previous fall while advancing to the Division 2 state tournament. The 5-foot-11, 245-pound tackle was disruptive in the interior, standing firm against the run and collapsing the pocket while collecting 55 tackles, six tackles, a forced fumble, and a safety. Roman, who will continue his academic and athletic careers at Worcester State University, considers his most memorable moment of the season to be honoring the recent passing of his youth football coach, Ricky White, by defeating Shrewsbury to clinch the Mid-Wach A championship. He is the son of Priscilla Pagan and Javier Roman of Leominster.

Calvin Tenney

Murdock High

Senior, Linebacker

Tenney led the Blue Devils to one of the most successful seasons in program history as they went 8-3 record and advanced to the Division 8 state quarterfinals. The 5-foot-10, 220-pound middle linebacker wrapped up runners and receivers with regularity, registering 129 tackles and recovering two fumbles, one of which he returned for a touchdown. A running back on offense, Tenney rushed for 1,463 yards and scored 186 points. Tenney’s most memorable moments of the season came when the Blue Devils defeated Brighton for their first statewide playoff victory and downed rival Narragansett on Thanksgiving for the first time in 15 years. He is the son of Renee and Jason Tenney of Winchendon.

T.J. Welch

Shrewsbury High

Senior, Defensive Back

Welch was named team MVP for the second straight season for his contributions as a player and a leader while captaining the Colonials to a second consecutive Division 1 state tournament berth. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound three-phase standout collected 15 tackles and in interception on defense, handled punting duties and accounted for 1,713 yards rushing, 434 yards passing and 25 total touchdowns on offense. Welch’s most memorable moment of the season came in Week 2 as the Colonials staged a fourth-quarter comeback to defeat crosstown rival St. John’s, 18-15, before 3,500 at David J. Adams Memorial Field. Welch will continue his football career and major in sports management at Springfield College. He is the son of Elzabeth Campanale and Christopher Welch of Shrewsbury.

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: Meet the 2023 T&G Hometeam High School Football Defensive all-stars