SALEM NEWS FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JACK FABIANO
Masconomet Senior
Running Back
The 2025 football season will forever be known as the year of ‘Run the Damn Ball.’
Thanks both the churning legs of Masconomet senior ace Jack Fabiano — and his choice of postgame headwear emblazoned with that phrase — the run game made a major comeback this fall. Fabiano shattered the Chieftain single season rushing record by going for 2,141 yards — and was never held under 100 rushing yards in any of his 11 games this season.
The Northeastern Conference Player of the Year became the first player in more than ten years to win consecutive North Shore rushing titles. He also repeated as the region’s scoring champion, going above and beyond this fall with 39 total touchdowns and 244 total points.
“Jack had a special season,” said Masconomet head coach Pat Sheehan. “As good of a player as he is, he’s a better person and an even better leader.”
The tear Fabiano went on in late October will be talked about for years to come. He posted three consecutive 300 yard rushing games (a feat not seen in these parts in almost two decades), devastating Beverly for 333 yards and six touchdowns before taking down Marblehead to the tune of 376 ground and five scores. A week later in the playoffs, Fabiano ran for 319 and five scores to top Melrose.
“He’s the total package,” said Sheehan. “Is he fast? Yes. Is he elusive? Yes. Can he run you over? Yes. His vision, his first step and first cut, are as good as anybody I’ve ever coached.”
Toting the mail over 250 times this fall, Fabiano was also durable. He was effective as a receiver as well, gaining 303 yards through the air for nearly 2,500 from scrimmage. Though rarely deployed on defense, when he was he made plays — for example an interception in the playoffs against Milton.
In terms of career numbers, Fabiano rushed for 3,491 yards (third all-time at Masco). His 59 touchdowns and 382 career points are second only to Steve Chew (Class of 1964) in school history. A top-notch student as well, he’ll continue his football career at Williams College.
SALEM NEWS OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
CHRIS VARGAS
St. John’s Prep Sophomore
Quarterback
The national 5-star recruit who is being courted by virtually every Division 1 college in the country showed why in a magnificent 10th grade season for the Eagles. He completed 138-of-207 passes (66.7 percent) for a single season school record 2,038 yards and 24 touchdown passes while throwing just three interceptions.
Vargas threw for 250-plus yards four different times and slung four touchdown passes in a game vs. Central Catholic, BC High and in a highly anticipated matchup vs. Catholic Memorial. He was a huge reason why his team put up the most points (539) and accumulated the most yardage (5,442) in the 119-year history of St. John’s Prep football.
He missed 3 1/2 games in the state playoffs after being hurt in his team’s opener, but returned to start in the Division 1 Super Bowl against Xaverian at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, finishing with 217 yards passing and three TDs.
In his two-year varsity career, Vargas has throw for 3,349 yards and 41 touchdowns against just three picks, completing 215-of-362 passes.
“Chris had an incredibly productive year for us,” said head coach Brian St. Pierre. “His command of our offense and his ability to make every throw makes him such a unique talent. He was — and is — the unquestioned leader of our offense.”
SALEM NEWS DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
ALEX TURRISI
St. John’s Prep Senior
Edge Linebacker
For all of St. John’s Prep offensive prowess this season, the Eagles also needed their defense to make the big stops when it mattered most against the best teams the Commonwealth had to offer. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Turrisi was at the forefront of that.
Whether it was rushing into the opposing backfield off the edge, dropping into pass coverage or wrapping up his man one-on-one to bring him down, Turrisi was a defensive brick wall. The Prep captain finished with 80 tackles, including 15 tackles-for-loss. He also forced three fumbles and had one interception.
The Catholic Conference all-star was particularly menacing on Thanksgiving Day at rival Xaverian, forcing a fumble, recording a quarterback sack, and making three of his six tackles go for losses.
“Alex was as consistent a performer as we’ve had defensively,” noted Brian St. Pierre, the Eagles’ veteran head coach. “Every game, every week he put forth a winning performance. That consistency, combined with his versatility as an outside LB/Edge, made him an impact player for us.”
A terrific student with a 3.9 GPA, Turrisi is planning on taking a post-graduate year before heading off to college.
SALEM NEWS SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
JONAH RICHARDSON
Pingree Senior
Kick/Punt Returner/WR/CB
You name it and the 6-foot-1, 185-pound Richardson did it during his time on the gridiron with the Highlanders, who undoubtedly will go down as one of the greatest players in program history.
The Boxford native scored 15 touchdowns in just eight games for Pingree — and foolish was the team that kicked to him, as five of those he returned into the opposing end zone. Richardson returned a kickoff 90 yards to the house against Austin Prep, then burned Proctor Academy by returning two punts for scores from 75 and 70 yards out, respectively.
Pingree’s leading receiver with 39 catches for 704 yards and 10 receiving TDs, Richardson had a 65-yard scoring catch against Hamden Hall, a game in which he finished with four grabs for 153 yards and a pair of tuddys.
The Highlanders’ team MVP is a two-time All-New England and All-Evergreen League selection. He is headed to the University of Maine on a football scholarship to play in the defensive backfield.
Richardson said he was always impressed by Isaiah Thomas during his time on the Celtics, playing through the doubt that came with his smaller stature and coming up with some huge performances.
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WILL BUSH
Swampscott Senior
Running back/Linebacker
Punishing running style between the tackle was an ideal fit for the Big Blue’s spread scheme … All-Northeastern Conference pick rushed for 1,035 yards and 11 touchdowns … Season-best was 185 yards in win over Saugus … 6.01 yards per carry was a career-best … Scored three touchdowns in back-to-back weeks … Captained Big Blue to NEC Lynch title … Defensive demon had 66 tackles patrolling the middle of the field … Cerebral ‘backer excelled at diagnosing the play … Hopes to play college football.
BREYDAN CALLAHAN
Marblehead Senior
Running Back/Outside Linebacker
Team captain ran for 1,061 yards and 16 touchdowns … Caught nine passes for another 161 yards and three scores … All-Northeastern Conference … Produced four touchdowns in a playoff win over Shepard Hill … The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder could run over opponents with sheer physical strength while also having the speed to get to the outside and outrun the secondary … Had 10 tackles-for-loss and six sacks defensively … Excellent 4.45 GPA … Will play football at Johns Hopkins.
JACOBY CASINELLI-TARASUIK
Essex Tech Senior
Quarterback/Safety
Started under center for three-and-a-half seasons … Team MVP … Threw for 1,084 yards and a dozen touchdowns … Led team in rushing with 1,122 yards and 10 more scores … Cape Ann League First Team all-star … Went 6-for-8 passing for 130 yards and 2 TDs plus ran for 125 yards and a score in win over Newburyport … Captain from Salem finished his career with 218 completions for 3,119 yards and 30 TDs while running for another 2,251 yards and 32 TDs … Had two interceptions, a pair of forced fumbles and returned a pick-6 for 88 yards out of the secondary … Strong 3.8 GPA.
TYLER CONNOLLY
Bishop Fenwick Senior
Running back/Linebacker
Catholic Central League all-star was Bishop Fenwick’s leading tackler and among the North Shore’s leaders with 123 total … Had 10 or more tackles in six games, with a season-best 16 against Bishop Stang … Forced a fumble against Marblehead … D5 All-State selection as a junior … Scored five touchdowns rushing plus three more in the receiving department … Salem native caught 24 passes and averaged 7.4 yards per touch offensively … Repeat Salem News all-star hopes to play college football and is grateful to his coaches, family and teammates.
SEAN COSTA
Beverly Senior
Running Back/Safety
Hard-nosed Panther captain finally had a nearly-full season of injury-free football and helped guide Panthers to their first winning season in seven years … Finished with 87 tackles, five pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and an interception … Had more than 600 all-purpose yards and scored seven touchdowns … All-Northeastern Conference selection … Finished with 11 tackles and 87 rushing yards plus 20-plus receiving yards in Senior Night win over Wakefield … Wants to major in marketing or communications in college.
KYLE DANIELS
Pingree Senior
Running Back/Strong Safety
Was chosen as both All-Evergreen League and All-NEPSAC First Team … Finished with 43 tackles, including eight tackles-for-loss … had one forced fumble out of the Highlanders’ secondary … Hamilton native ran for close to 400 yards on just 36 carries … Scored four touchdowns … Also caught passes for 119 yards and a score … Had 16 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns vs. Portsmouth Abbey … 90.5 unweighted GPA … Heading to Villanova University … Brother Brady plays college football at Dennison.
DOYLE DELANO
Swampscott Junior
Outside linebacker
Stepped into a starting role on the Big Blue defense and became the jack-of-all-trades for the Northeastern Conference Lynch titlists … Monster coming off the edge had eight quarterback sacks … Totaled up 15 tackles-for-loss on the season, knifing into the backfield when opposing runners tried to bounce outside … Among his 39 tackles, 28 were of the solo variety … Moved around offensively between receiver and a tight end/H-back role … Great blocker also had 21 catches for 215 yards and two scores … All-Conference selection in the NEC.
MASON ELLSWORTH
Danvers Senior
Center
The 6-foot, 250-pounder was literally in the center of the Falcons’ dominant line play this fall, working with many underclassmen up front to help forge them into a stout unit … Team captain finished with 15 pancake blocks … All-Northeastern Conference … Named the team’s Dave Flint Falcon Award winner … Felt his best game in an upset victory over Reading … Also throws the shot put and discus for Danvers High … Plans on going into the trade field to study HVAC or to be an electrician.
OSCAR FERNANDEZ
Salem Senior
Wide receiver/Defensive back
The Witches captain was a heart-and-soul type player who always led with his play on the field … Led Salem in receptions with 23 as well as receiving yardage (264) … As the safety in Salem’s scheme, kept things in front of him in the pass game and came up well in run support … Picked off two passes against Swampscott … Heady player always gave his 1/11th on every snap … Chosen All-Northeastern Conference … Jumped on an onside kick to seal a win over Saugus … “Face of the program type player” says head coach Matt Bouchard.
ZACH FULTZ
Danvers Sophomore
Running Back/Cornerback
Burst onto the varsity scene this fall and led the Blue-and-White in rushing attempts (200), rushing yards (1,120), rushing touchdowns (16) and total TDs (17) … Chosen as All-Northeastern Conference … Had over 200 yards rushing and scored three times as Danvers toppled Reading … Also served as Falcons’ punter … Sprints and does the high jump in track and field … Would like to continue playing football in college … Carries an impressive 3.58 GPA … Tries to emulate the on-field intensity and physicality of Marshawn Lynch.
FINN GALLUP
Marblehead Senior
Quarterback
Smooth signal caller completed 114-of-173 passes for 1,892 yards and 17 touchdowns … Also second on the team in rushing with 571 yards and six more trips to the end zone while averaging over seven yards a carry … Team captain finished with 2,465 total yards … All-Northeastern Conference selection … Had a combined 245 yards of offense and four touchdowns while completing 90 percent of his passes in a win over North Andover … 3.7 GPA … Will major in Sports Management in college.
DECLAN GIBSON
Marblehead Senior
Offensive Tackle/Defensive End
The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder could be destructive on both sides of the ball, which is why the Magicians loved him … Team captain didn’t allow a single sack against him the entire season … Finished with five-and-a-half sacks and a dozen tackles-for-loss … All-Northeastern Conference selection … Had 2 1/2 quarterback sacks, 4 tackles-for-loss, and eight tackles total in Thanksgiving victory over arch rival Swampscott … Will continue his football career at Wesleyan University … Outstanding 4.0 GPA.
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Position(s)
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DREW GUSTAFSON
Masconomet Senior
Quarterback
Trigger man for the Northeastern Conference’s top offense that scored 418 points … Threw for a school record 2,465 yards, topping 290 yards passing in four different outings … Tossed 18 touchdowns passes including three in Thanksgiving win over Northeast … Went off for 386 yards to direct historic comeback win over Marblehead … All-NEC choice threw a great deep ball and read the field well … Career total of 4,003 passing yards is a school record … Threw 34 career TD passes … Multi-sport standout will play baseball at Bentley University.
VAUGHN HAZELL
Swampscott Senior
Offensive line/Defensive line
As tough as he is strong in the trenches for the Big Blue … All-Conference selection anchored an offensive line that produced 1,200 rush yards and over 3,000 from scrimmage … May be even more valuable as a defensive end, where he bore down on the passer for two sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss … Among Swampscott’s leading tackles with 77 total stops … Captained his team to consecutive NEC Lynch championships … Repeat Salem News all-star goes 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds … Hopes to play football in college.
ANDREW KIRICOPLES
Bishop Fenwick Sophomore
Quarterback
The Crusaders were never out of a game with this big-armed youngster calling the signals … Threw for area best 2,311 yards … Knack for finishing drives as his 26 touchdown passes were also the region’s highest mark … Completed 58 percent of his passes while directing the Crusaders to the Division 6 state Final Four … Threw for 304 yards and four scores against an excellent Bishop Feehan team … Also tossed four scored against Archbishop Williams and surpassed 250 passing yards for times … Also a Salem News all-star in baseball for the Crusaders.
CHARLIE LUSSIER
Essex Tech Junior
Running Back/Linebacker
Ran for 155 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries in a victory over Peabody … Helped Hawks to their best season ever in league play … Averaged 6.3 yards per carry while rushing for 669 yards and six touchdowns … Had a team-leading 90 tackles … Rewarded as the Cape Ann League Kinney Division’s Defensive Player of the Year … Also a CAL First Team all-star … 3.3 GPA … Wants to study business and play football in college … Captain-elect for 2026 season.
LUKE MAGLIONE
Peabody Senior
Quarterback
Steadying presence under center for the young Tanners led the North Shore in drop backs with over 300 … Threw for career-high 1,664 yards and 13 scores … Sparked his team out of a 21 point hold to win on Thanksgiving with 288 passing yards and four total touchdowns … Also directed late game-winning drive against Waltham … Captain was All-Northeastern Conference … Started 33 consecutive games, winning 19 of those … Career marks of 4,184 pass yards and 38 TD passes are second on PVMHS’ all-time list … Grateful to family, coaches and teammaes.
LUCAS MAGNIFICO
Masconomet Senior
Tight end/Defensive end
All-Northeastern Conference selection was the catalyst and leader of the Chieftain defense all season long … Led the team in solo tackles with 38 … Credited with 55 1/2 total stops … Set the edge as well as any player in the NEC … Amassed seven tackles-for-loss while adding one sack and one fumble recovery … Captain had a devastating defensive game in victory over Danvers … Also shined in NEC clinching win over Marblehead … Tremendous blocker from tight end or H-back spot … Two-year Salem News all-star ranks near the top of Masconomet’s Class of 2026.
JAKE MEDEIROS
Pingree Junior
Two-Way Lineman
The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder was a force on both sides of the ball up front for the Highlanders … All-Evergreen League First Team all-star … Honorable mention All-NEPSAC … Gave up zero sacks against 4-star edge rusher Mekai Brown in a victory over Greenwich Academy … Being recruited by the likes of Maine, Rhode Island, Villanova and New Hampshire … Wants to play Division 1 college football and study business … Also wrestles and throws the discus.
MAXWELL PARENT
St. John’s Prep Junior
Running Back/Safety
The 5-foot-9, 190-pounder from Danvers tore it up in his first year at St. John’s, running for 1,311 yards and a team-leading 23 total touchdowns … Set school record for rushing yards (354) and points (42) in one game with a 5-TD showing in playoff win over Leominster … Near automatic scoring out of the Eagles’ ‘BFT’ formation, producing 25 2-point rushes … Second on the North Shore with 188 points … Defensively finished the year with 46 tackles, 2 INTs, and one fumble recovery for a TD … Catholic Conference all-star … Also a catcher and outfielder in baseball … 3.3 GPA … Wants to play Division 1A football.
DYLAN PATTURELLI
Bishop Fenwick Senior
Running back/Linebacker
Finished his career with 1,153 rushing yards to go with 14 touchdowns … Stable, dependable carrying the rock and averaged 7.4 yards per carry … Catholic Central League all-star made 109 tackles … Hit like a truck, forcing four fumbles … Had 14 tackles against both St. Mary’s and Arlington Catholic … Career-best 207 rushing yards against Cathedral … Captain played incredibly on defense in upset win over Abington that clinched Final Four berth … Peabody native is a two-time Salem News all-star who rushed for 2,066 career yards.
CADEN SCHROCK
Hamilton-Wenham Senior
Running back/Linebacker
Ran for 1,186 yards and 14 touchdowns, becoming the first General in recent memory to post back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons … Picked as an All-Cape Ann League selection … Three-phase force had a 95 yard return touchdown against Brighton … Surpassed 150 rushing yards in a game on three occasions, including 159 to pace a third straight Thanksgiving win over Ipswich … Excellent run stopper on the defense side of the ball … Rushed for 2,562 career yards with 25 scores … Throwback athlete is an all-star in baseball and basketball as well.
RILEY SELVAIS
St. John’s Prep Sophomore
Wide Receiver
Super sophomore led all North Shore wideouts in receptions (71), receiving yards (1,231) and touchdowns (15) … The 6-foot, 185-pounder is already being pursued by Division 1 schools and is the top rated WR in his age group in New England … Had nine catches for 130 yards and 2 TDs in win over rival Catholic Memorial … Caught a 48-yard TD pass and returned second half kickoff 80 yards for another touchdown in Super Bowl vs. Xaverian … Marblehead resident broke Prep’s single season reception and receiving records … Already has 101 catches for 1,588 yards and 18 TDs in just two varsity seasons … Excellent student with 4.3 GPA.
JEROME SUTTON
Beverly Senior
Defensive End
Moved from outside linebacker up to the defensive line this fall and wound up becoming an All-Northeastern Conference performer … Punctuated his varsity career with two fumble recoveries and a quarterback sack on Thanksgiving morning against Salem — his former team … Flew off the edge to disrupt opponents in the backfield before their offensive play could develop … The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder was a true team leader … Big fan of Cleveland Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett.
JORDAN TORIBIO
St. John’s Prep Junior
Running Back/Defensive Back
Junior ran for a team-leading 1,373 yards and scored 16 touchdowns while helping St. John’s to the Division 1 Super Bowl game … Averaged nearly 8.7 yards per carry … Scored 18 touchdowns … Added nine 2-point conversions … Catholic Conference all-star … Ran for 198 yards and two TDs, plus had the game-sealing interception, in a wild one-point comeback win over Springfield Central … 3.75 GPA … Wants to find a college where he can major in business or finance with a great football coaching staff.
CAL WEIDMAN
Masconomet Senior
Wide Receiver/Defensive back
The most prolific pass catcher in Masconomet program history set a single-season Chieftains record with 68 grabs for 1,108 yards and 10 touchdowns … Used his 6-foot-2 frame to win contested catches but also ran such good routes that many were wide open snares … Surpassed 100 receiving yards six times this fall … Season high was 167 yards against Winchester … Caught 10 balls for 142 yards in wild, NEC title clinching win over Marblehead … Captain was All-Northeastern Conference … Also had 37 1/2 tackles and forced three fumbles … Career totals are school records of 112 catches, 1,604 yards and 22 scores, all of which rank in the top ten all-time on the North Shore … Will continue his career at Bentley University.
FLOYD WHITE
Beverly Senior
Wide Receiver
Rewrote the Panthers’ record book for wideouts by catching 14 touchdown passes this fall … Had three different 4-TD games, including back-to-back showings vs. Revere and Wakefield … Finished with a school record 56 catches for 773 yards receiving, another BHS mark … Successfully pulled off six different fake punt attempts, including running for a 42-yard score at Masconomet … Led Beverly with 90 points this season … Had eight catches for 148 yards and 4 TD in playoff game vs Reading.
LUKE WILE
Ipswich Senior
Linebacker/Fullback
Tigers’ 5-foot-10, 215-pound captain moved into the team’s backfield when a need arose and wound up barging his way into the end zone seven times … Ran for 218 yards on just 55 carries … Finished with 67 solo tackles in eight-and-a-half games, with nine tackles-for-loss … Chosen as team MVP … Cape Ann League First Team all-star … Had 12 tackles vs. Triton … Also served as team’s long snapper … Has a 3.3 GPA … Wants to play Division 3 college football and eventually become a state trooper … Said former Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly is his favorite linebacker of all time.
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HONORABLE MENTION
Beverly: Danny Pierce, Sr. QB; Ricky Torres, Sr. C; Xavier Auk ; Teddy Fisher, Jr. OL/LB.
Bishop Fenwick: Odin Garron, Sr., WR/LB; Tristan Giles, Sr., WR/DB; Luis Levenishti, Sr., OL/DL; Tye Piraino, Sr., OL/DL.
Danvers: Jack Houston, Jr. RB/WR/LB/DB; Colby Medeiros, Jr. S/K; Nick Xerras, Jr. TE/DE; Matt Nikiforov, Jr. FB/LB.
Essex Tech: Ben Toerne, Sr. OL/DL; Jordan Minaya, Sr. LB/TE; Makaio Bey, Sr. WR/DB; Trevor Purcell, Sr. OL/DL; Hayden Ferguson, Sr. WR/DB.
Hamilton-Wenham: Robbie Bozarjian, Sr., OL/DL; Luke Molitano, Sr., WR.
Ipswich: Hank Latorella, Sr. OL/DL/FB; Will Gromko, Sr. TE/MLB.
Marblehead: Rylan Golden, Sr. WR/OLB; John Schieffer, Sr. MLB; Quinn Maguire, Soph. OT/DT.
Masconomet: Cam Bucchiere, Sr., OT; Liam Ginley, Sr., WR/DB; Athan King, Jr., OL; Evan Velardo, Sr., OL/DL.
Peabody: Brian Collins Dixon, Jr., WR/LB; Cory Dooley, Sr., TE/DE; Matt Dresser, Jr., OL/DL; Mark Mendonca, Jr., WR/CB.
Pingree: Jack Spear, Jr. QB; Colt Downey, Jr. WR; Jon Panagou, Jr. OL; Baron DiMeco, Soph. RB; Liam Roberts, Soph. DE.
Salem: Aiden Collazo, Jr. RB/LB; Elvis Espinal, Sr., RB; Cesar Mesa-Catillo, Sr. RB/DE; Gregory Nijiseng, Soph., OL/DL.
St. John’s Prep: Joe Irzyk Sr. OL; Bo Minogue Sr. LB; Connor Quigley Jr. LB; Will Seaha Jr. OL/DL; Ethan Stefanovich Sr. WR.
Swampscott: Noah Bascon, Jr., WR/DB; John DiLisio, Jr., OL/DL; Chase Groothuis, Sr., WR; John von Barta, Jr., QB.