Bear Sports Network MVP Finalists

Here are our MVP Finalists for the Downriver League. After careful consideration, these four players stood above the rest for the honor of being in this conversation, and they are Carlson’s Sophomore standout, Izaiah Wright, Southgate’s Senior leader, Chase Barbosa, Allen Park’s Senior Linebacker Reed Picotte, and Trenton’s Junior offensive weapon Ashton Rooney. 

This is solely based on regular season stats. Nothing in the playoffs is considered. 

Here is why each player stands out.

Izaiah Wright- Carlson 

As a freshman in 2022, Izaiah Wright was a backup to MVP finalist Omari Carter. This year was the year of Wright as the sophomore rushed 183 times for 1492 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also was on the receiving end of things as he pulled in eight receptions for 130 yards and two additional touchdowns. This is the third year in a row that a Carlson Running Back has made his way onto the list with a 1000-yard rushing season. Not only is it a third 1000-yard rushing season for a Carlson Back, but it is also a third consecutive Downriver League title for Carlson; however, Wright was able to help the Marauders to their first solo Downriver League title. 

Chase Barbosa- Southgate 

After his amazing Junior year in 2022, Chase Barbosa is back on our list as a Senior in 2023. Barbosa missed three games his Senior year due to injury. Barbosa still managed to put up 11 touchdowns on 575 yards over 94 carries. He also pulled in six receptions for 73 yards. On defense, Barbosa had 49 tackles. Of those 49 tackles, 11 were for a loss, and he also recovered a fumble. 

Reed Picotte- Allen Park

He has been called the best player in the league by some, but one thing is sure: he delivers a hard hit. While his numbers aren’t eye-popping at first glance, Picotte is the glue for the Allen Park defense. Playing only a half in each game most weeks due to the score, Picotte racked up 71 tackles and six sacks; he forced a fumble and had two fumble recoveries, as well as breaking up two passes. Not to mention, he also stepped up on offense when Allen Park lost their starting running back for a few weeks, scoring four touchdowns on offense and adding 200 yards on offense between a combined 17 attempts (eight rushing and nine receiving). 

Ashton Rooney- Trenton 

As Trenton’s dangerous offensive weapon, the six-foot Junior Ashton Rooney finds himself on this list for good reason. As a running back for the Trenton offense, Rooney has carried the load rushing the ball 62 times for 754 yards and ten touchdowns, but that’s not all, folks, as he has also pulled in 15 receptions for 475 yards and another six touchdowns. That gives him a total of 16 touchdowns and 1229 yards of offense. Add in his return yards, and he clocked in with a staggering 1665 yards on the season.