Vote: Who has been the best sophomore football player in New York so far in 2024?

We’ve picked out 15 sophomore football players in New York that have stood out this season

Waverly quarterback Ben Shaw threw four touchdown passes in a 34-21 win over in football Sept. 20, 2024 at Waverly Memorial Stadium. / Andrew Legare/Elmira Star-Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

We are just past the mid-point part of the 2024 high school football season here in New York and there’s no shortage of underclassmen performing at a high level. It’s no surprise that sophomores are showing out in Empire State as that’s been the case in the past many times over. This list of underclassmen features some of the top sophomores football players we’ve seen or have been on the rise in New York. Take a look at our list and vote for who you feel has been the top performing sophomores high school football player in Rhode Island. 

SBLive voting polls are intended to be a fun way to create fan engagement and express support for your favorite high school athletes and teams. Unless expressly noted, there are no awards for winning the voting. Our primary focus is to highlight the abilities and accomplishments of all the athletes and teams included in our poll. You can vote as often as you wish and are encouraged to share our polls with others. The use of voting bots and other forms of automated voting are not allowed. Individuals will be removed from the poll if any form of automated voting can be verified. - SBLive Sports

Voting closes on December 8th, 11:59pm

Here are the nominees:

Ben Shaw, QB, Waverly

The sophomore quarterback this season has completed 83-of-114 passes for 1,336 yards and 19 touchdowns and just one interception.

Pooty Cunningham, QB, Monroe

Cunningham is another quarterback that’s put up significant yardage as a sophomore, throwing for 2,415 yards, 27 touchdowns and just five picks. Has a pretty cool football name as well.

Thomas Zeh, QB, Moore Catholic

Zeh has played just about as well as any sophomore signal caller this season and he's got the numbers to prove it. The sophomore has thrown for 1,463 yards and 11 touchdowns this fall.

Trent Buttles, QB, Aquinas Institute

The sophomore sensation has been superb for the Irish, completing 71-of-138 passes for 1,356 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Jordan Bishop, RB, Cornwall Central

Bishop has been strong out of the backfield for Cornwall Central, rushing for 1,410 yards on 174 carries and scoring 14 touchdowns.

Elijah Kimble, RB, Canisius

The Canisus running back has carried the rock 154 carries for 1,211 yards and found the endzone 21 times. Kimble is also averaging 7.8 yards per carry.

Matt Organa, RB, Dover

Not many backs have piled up the kind of numbers like Organa has out of the backfield, rushing for 946 yards on 147 carries and scoring 11 touchdowns.

Silas Nellis, WR, Eden/North Collins

Nellis has been one of the state's top sophomore receivers this season, hauling in 60 passes for 953 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns.

Rocco Natale Jr., WR, Amsterdam

The Amsterdam wide receiver has been stellar this fall, catching 53 passes for 866 yards and scoring nine touchdowns.

Ezequiel Santiago, WR, Gloversville

Santiago has been one of the state leaders among sophomores in receiving, catching 48 passes for 827 yards and eight touchdowns.

Trent Englert, LB, York/Pavilion

Englert has been a solid tackler for York/Pavilion, making 104 total tackles and a sack so far this season.

Giorgi Partsvania, LB, Marlboro Central

The Marlboro Central linebacker has had a solid season in the front seven, totaling 86 tackles and 8.5 going for a loss.

Brandon Memrick, DL, Canajoharie/Fort Plain/Oppenheim-Ephratah/St. Johnsville

Undersized at 5-foot-10, 150 pounds, but Memrick has found his way to the quarterback plenty this fall. The sophomore has racked up 10.5 sacks to go with his 71 tackles.

Lucas Rodriguez-Lopez, DB, Burke Catholic

The sophomore defensive back has been among the leaders in the interception department, racking up seven picks so far this season.

Joey Karpowicz, DB, Ward Melville

Keeping pace with Rodriguez-Lopez up above is Karpowicz for Ward Melville, with the defensive back notching seven interceptions this season.

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-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @highschoolonsi