Downriver League MVP First Look Candidates

It’s that time of year again, and we are back with our first batch of Downriver League MVP candidates for the 2023 season. This is not the final list; other players could be added in our next batch, which would come near the end of the regular season. 

Izaiah Wright- Carlson Marauders

The Sophomore Running Back, Wright has taken the starting role vacated by Omari Carter and 2021 MVP Cody Britt and has run with the job. In four games, Wright has 43 carries for 435 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has also added two catches for 77 yards and two touchdowns to give him 512 yards and 13 touchdowns on the young season, and that’s good for 128 yards per game. Wright has the Carlson Marauders sitting at 3-1 on the year and 3-0, tied for the league lead with Allen Park. 

Joe Krolak- Carlson Marauders

Taking over at Quarterback for a two-year starter, you would think there would be a decline in play for the Carlson Marauders, but you’d be wrong. After a slow first game, Krolak, a Junior, has led the Marauders perfectly. He is 19 of 36 for 460 yards and six touchdowns to one interception. Krolak has also shown he can make plays with his feet, as he’s run for 131 yards and three touchdowns. To give him a total of nine touchdowns and 591 yards. 

Jackson Sage- Southgate Anderson Titans

After starting as a Sophomore under first-year head coach Bobby Marten, Sage is back and still producing for the Titans of Southgate. In four games, Sage has 600 yards and three touchdowns on  31 for 55 passing. He has also done it with his feet, as he has 130 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. Sage has been the driving force for the Titans early in the season. 

Chase Barbosa- Southgate Anderson Titans

Back on the list for the second straight season, Southgate’s Chase Barbosa is a menace on the field. Although he’s only played in two games to this point, Barbosa still deserves a spot on this list, as he’s totaled 25 tackles and five tackles for a loss. On offense, Barabosa has three touchdowns and 160 yards on 33 carries and two catches for 50 yards. 

Gavin Bolley- Allen Park Jaguars

We have an offensive lineman on the watch list for the first time, and he is here with good reason. Bolley has been a stabilizing force up front for the Jaguars’ O-Line, and they even rewarded him with two carries against Woodhaven, and he was able to record a big man touchdown. Bolley, in the four games played so far, has only allowed one sack on his Quarterback and will look to keep it to one sack the rest of the way as he looks to be a leader on his line. On the defensive side of the ball, Bolley has seven tackles, three sacks, and an interception on the season. 

Braylon Orsette- Allen Park Jaguars

The second-year Quarterback for the Allen Park Jaguars has made massive improvements in between his first and second year as the Jaguars Quarterback. As an opposing coach said, he has made throws that a high schooler normally wouldn’t. In four games this season, Orsette has thrown for 560 yards and nine touchdowns and has done well not throwing an interception in 37 passing attempts. Orsette has also been able to do it with his legs, running it 16 times for 120 yards and four additional scores. 

Cam Johnson- Allen Park Jaguars

In his senior year, Cam Johnson is playing both sides of the ball and playing them phenomenally. On offense, Johnson has nine receptions for 272 yards and six touchdowns, and he has eight carries for 125 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson also plays the part of a lockdown corner for the Jaguars and has an interception for the team.  

Max Biundo- Wyandotte Bears

Another second-year guy on the MVP watch is Wyandotte’s own Max Biundo. He has missed time due to injury this year but has still made an impact. Biundo has 246 rushing yards in three games, ten quarters, and three touchdowns. While he’s dealt with an injury, Biundo still commands attention when he is on the field. 

Chase Cline- Wyandotte Bears

The top target on the Wyandotte Bears offense has had a great year so far, compiling 350 yards and six touchdowns in four games. Cline has played for three coaches in his high school career. He has played for legendary Head Coach Ron Adams and two first-time head coaches. As a four-year player, he has also seen the highs and lows as he saw the playoffs in his freshman year and was part of a 2-7 team a year ago; however, he has produced each year. 

Ben Kolodziejczyk- Woodhaven Warriors

Senior Ben Kolodziejczyk has completed 60% of his passes for 521 yards and five touchdowns in his first four games as the starting Quarterback. Kolodziejczyk has also done it with his legs, as he has compiled 100 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 30 carries. His lone dark spot on his season was his week two performance against Trenton, where he had two interceptions. However, that was also his best game running the ball, as he had two rushing touchdowns. 

Jace Davis- Woodhaven Warriors

A sleeper candidate on this list is Woodhaven Junior Jace Davis. Davis has 29 tackles on the season and has gotten to that by increasing his weekly numbers. Of late, he has also seen the offensive side of the field as, in two weeks, he has ten carries for 65 yards, two touchdowns, six receptions for 64 yards, and a touchdown. 

Drew Carson- Trenton Trojans 

The Junior Running Back has made his presence known for the Trenton Trojans offense. Carson has logged 37 carries for 316 yards and four touchdowns in four games. He has also picked up two receptions for 15 yards. He is a name to watch. 

Ashton Rooney- Trenton Trojans

The last player on our preliminary list is Junior Wide Receiver Ashton Rooney. In four games, Rooney has ten carries for 221 yards and four touchdowns, plus he’s pulled down nine receptions for 238 yards and three touchdowns. Then, if you want to add in returns, that’s another 213 yards, which is good for 672 all-purpose yards between rushing, receiving, and returns. Add in his seven total touchdowns on the season that makes Rooney a threat anywhere you put him.