Final MVP Watch List as we Enter October

We are well into the Fall now, and with three weeks left in the season, we have our final watch list for the MVP of the Downriver League. 

Iaziah Wright- Carlson 

Wright has been on fire so far this season. The Sophomore Running Back is carrying the Marauders on offense this season as he has 96 carries for 819 yards and 18 touchdowns, but that’s not all; he has also added 104 yards on four catches for two additional touchdowns. If you have not seen the Marauders and Wright this year, you need to get out and see this star in the making. Carlson still has games against rivals Woodhaven and Allen Park and a game to end the season against Lincoln Park for Wright to show what he’s made of before the official ballot comes out the week of Playoffs. 

Braylon Orsette- Allen Park 

The Senior Quarterback for the Allen Park Jaguars has been turning heads this season. Braylon Orsette has the team sitting at 6-0 and has been able to save injury to himself as he has only had to play a half each week. While only playing in a half each week, Orsette has completed 44 of his 60 passes for 872 yards and 13 touchdowns. Orsette has also run the ball 17 times for 118 yards and an additional four scores to give him 17 touchdowns on the season. Orsette will look to lead the Jaguars to their first undefeated season since the 2016 season, but to do that, he will need to defeat the team’s three toughest opponents in Trenton, Carlson, and Redford Union. 

Chase Barbosa- Southgate

After missing three and a half games due to injury, Chase Barbosa returned with a bang. In his first game back, Barbosa rushed 14 times for 63 yards and four touchdowns. On defense, in his first game back, he accounted for seven tackles, five pressures on the quarterback, a sack, and recovered a fumble. That gives him 223 yards and seven touchdowns on 47 carries in two and a half games this season. Add in his 50 yards on two receptions, giving him 273 yards total on the season. On defense, he has made just as big of an impact as he has 32 tackles, five tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery. He still has games against Lincoln Park, Edsel Ford, and Wyandotte to end the season to show why he is considered one of the best players in the league. 

Jackson Sage- Southgate

The Junior Quarterback has had his success and struggles this season, but he’s stayed consistent. He has completed 48 of his 81 passes for 856 yards for five touchdowns. Sage isn’t afraid to call his own number either, as he’s rushed 20 times for 153 yards, a touchdown, and a 2-point conversion. Sage does have time, however, as he has games against Lincoln Park, Edsel Ford, and Wyandotte to end the season. 

Cam Johnson- Allen Park 

Mr.Do-it-all for the Allen Park Jaguars is Cam Johnson. Now, in his Senior year, Johnson has been commanding attention all year for opposing defenses, and they still can’t stop him. Their only hope is to slow him down. Johnson has run, passed, caught, and returned the ball for the Jaguars this year and played a solid defense. Johnson has run ten times for 147 yards and three touchdowns, and he’s pulled in 13 receptions for 343 yards and seven more scores. He has also played a part in the return game, with 125 yards on five returns. That gives him 615 all-purpose yards and ten touchdowns on the season. On defense, teams tend to avoid Johnson as he has six tackles and one interception on the season. With games still against the best opponents the Jaguars have to face against Trenton, Carlson, and Redford Union, can he produce enough to help the Jaguars to their first unbeaten season since 2016?

Ashton Rooney- Trenton

The all-round playmaker for the Trenton Trojans has been electric this year. In six games this season, Rooney has run, caught, played a part in the return game, and played a role as a lockdown corner. On the offense, Rooney has carried the ball 21 times for 338 yards and four touchdowns. He’s pulled in 12 balls for 366 yards and four additional scores as a receiver. He also has 322 yards as a return man, giving him 1026 total yards on the season. He has 25 tackles as a corner and five deflections on the defense. With games still against Allen Park, Chelsea and Taylor, Rooney will have to shine to help the Trojans make the Playoffs. 

Jace Davis- Woodhaven  

The Junior utility knife player for the Warriors has been quietly putting up a quilty season. He has 39 tackles on defense, which is good for an average of six and a half tackles per game. On offense, he has come on of late, whereas as a pass catcher, he has pulled in 9 receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Carrying the ball, he has 91 yards and two touchdowns on 16 attempts. If he keeps up the pace he’s at now, you could hear a lot about the value he adds to the team. He still has a rivalry game with Carlson and games versus Lincoln Park and Edsel Ford to end the season.

Ben Kolodziejczyk – Woodhaven 

The Senior Quarterback from Woodhaven may have scuffled a bit of late throwing the ball, but he still has numbers to back up his case. In six games this year, Kolodziejczyk has completed 56 of his 105 passes for 689 yards and seven touchdowns. Rushing the ball, he has 237 yards and five touchdowns on 36 carries. He will lead his Warriors into a fierce rivalry battle versus Carlson before ending his season against Lincoln Park and Edsel Ford in a last-ditch effort to make the playoffs, but will that be enough to get him on the final ballot? 

Reid Picotte- Allen Park

Reed Picotte, a Senior for the Allen Park Jaguars, has quietly put together a good season, playing in only the first half of games for the Jaguars. On defense, Picotte has 34 tackles and three sacks on the year from his Linebacker position. Picotte has also played a role on the offensive side of the ball, as he has two touchdowns and 103 yards from scrimmage on the season. He still has games against tough opponents in Trenton, Carlson, and Redford Union before the end of the season. 

Logan Ferrell- Lincoln Park

The Sophomore Linebacker from Lincoln Park has led the way for his team this season. Leading the way with 58 tackles and three sacks for his squad, Ferrell hasn’t disappointed with multiple games with over ten tackles this season in the first year in his position. With games still against Southgate, Woodhaven, and Carlson, Ferrell must be at his best if Lincoln Park has a shot to make the playoffs.

Brock Culpepper- Trenton

Another Sophomore Linebacker makes his way onto the list. This one, however, is from Trenton. Brock Culpepper is second on the team with 72 tackles. However, his 45 solo tackles lead the team. He is also tied for the lead in Tackles for Loss with four and is tied for second in sacks. Culpepper has been a disruptor on the defensive side of the ball for Trenton. With games still against Allen Park, Chelsea, and Taylor, he could get close to triple-digit tackles as a Sophomore.