Vote: Who was Rhode Island’s top freshman football player of 2023?

We give you 10 candidates to choose from

The 2023 high school football season is complete and we are going around the East Coast, reflecting on the last few months.

One of the big questions is what newcomers on the scene made the biggest impact to a football program or state even? That’s where freshman that saw extensive playing time come into the mix.

That’s why we ask the question: Who was the top freshman football player of 2023?

We will go state-by-state along the East Coast and once that voting is done, do a final poll including all the freshmen that won going head-to-head. 

We’ve selected 10 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.

Voting will end on February 1st, 2024.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Here are the nominees: 

Landon Husereau, QB, Westerly: The freshman quarterback finished the season completing 114-of-195 passes for 1,840 yards and 23 touchdowns. Also has rushed for 168 yards and two scores.

Jack Speranza, DL, Westerly: Playing mostly at nose guard for the Bulldogs, Speranza had a solid first season. The freshman tallied 28 tackles, three for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one recovered fumble. 

Calvin Hill III, LB, Westerly: Hill III is the third freshman from Westerly that contributed in 2023. The middle linebacker tallied 36 tackles and two went for a loss, making an average of about three takedowns a contest. 

Tashaad Brown, QB, St. Raphael Academy: Brown has been the next signal caller next to Husereau that’s put up significant yardage as a freshman, throwing for 782 yards and four touchdowns.

Onassis Soriano, DB, St. Raphael Academy: The cornerback had seen extensive time in the secondary for the Saints as Soriano has notched 10 tackles and two interceptions in 2023.

Richard Bridges, ATH, Central: The all-around athlete played well as a utility player for the Knights, rushing for 384 yards on 38 carries and scoring four touchdowns. 

Sebastian Lora, WR, Bishop Hendricken: Lora was the state leader for freshmen in receiving, catching 17 passes for 354 yards and three touchdowns.

Sam Petrichko, RB/DB, South Kingstown: The safety led the way for all defensive backs in tackles, as Petrichko has made 53 tackles through 11 games. Also rushed for 126 yards on offense at running back. 

Tiac’hon Young-Golding, DT, Exeter West Greenwich Prout: The defensive tackle/offensive guard saw time on both sides of the line as a freshman. Young-Golding on defense has made 14 tackles, two for a loss and a sack.

Testimony Thompson, DB, Mt. Pleasant: Another defensive back that enters this list is Thompson. Seeing plenty of playing time as a freshman, Thompson made 20 tackles. 

(Photo courtesy of the Westerly Sun)

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