The 2023 high school football season featured many outstanding performances, both team and individual.
To honor those outstanding players from the season, here’s our 2023 Post-Star All-Area Football Team, with information from their coaches:
Player of the Year
Kellen Driscoll, WR-DB, jr., Glens Falls
It would be hard to top the kind of football season Kellen Driscoll had this fall for Glens Falls. Blessed with an exceptional combination of athletic ability and competitive desire, the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Driscoll was a magnet for passes, finishing with 61 receptions for 1,181 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was also a defensive standout at free safety, making 39 tackles and calling all of the Black Bears’ coverages.
“He has great hands, he’s a great route-runner, plus his outstanding jumping ability and body control. And then you add in his competitiveness, and that really amplifies all of those other things,” Glens Falls head coach Pat Lilac said.
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First Team Offense
QB Brody Holcomb, jr., Glens Falls
Holcomb stepped up as a first-year starter and showed his prowess as a passer all season long, leading the Black Bears to a 9-1 record. The 6-2, 170-pound Holcomb completed 71% of his passes for 2,145 yards and 33 touchdowns, and showed his ability to scramble while keeping his eyes downfield to make big plays.
RB Matt Conlin, sr., Greenwich
The 6-1, 225-pound Conlin was a two-way workhorse at fullback and linebacker for the Witches this season. A four-year varsity starter with size and speed, Conlin was a team leader and rumbled for 1,078 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 72 tackles on defense, and has drawn the attention of the University of Buffalo.
RB Quyntin Fallen, sr., South Glens Falls
Getting the explosive Fallen back from injury this season was huge for the Bulldogs, as he accounted for 18 touchdowns overall and rushed for 770 yards. A game-breaker as a running back and kick returner.
RB Gavin McCabe, sr., Warrensburg-Lake George
A vocal leader for the Wolverines, McCabe was a dynamic player who made a name for himself in all three phases. He rushed for 1,115 yards and scored 13 TDs overall, returned kicks and stood out in the secondary.
WR Jack Welch, jr., Warrensburg-Lake George
The 6-2, 185-pound Welch was a first-time football player this fall and ended up being a huge part of the Wolverines’ big-play offense, catching 29 passes for 664 yards and 11 TDs. His yards after catch were even more impressive.
TE A.J. Smith, sr., Queensbury
An intimidating blocking tight end in the Spartans’ evolving double-wing offense, the 6-2, 190-pound Smith gave opponents something to think about in the passing game, and also excelled at defensive end.
OL Nick Wright, sr., South Glens Falls
The 6-4, 285-pound Wright was a two-way standout for the Bulldogs, helping to pave the way for one of South High’s highest-scoring seasons ever. Nimble of foot for his size, he’s looking to play Division III college football next fall.
OL Jakob Pregent, sr., Glens Falls
The leader of the Black Bears’ offensive line, the rugged 5-8, 240-pound Pregent took over at center and called out all of Glens Falls’ blocking schemes and pass protections.
OL Nisaiah Maldonado, jr., Queensbury
Maldonado dominated at tackle on both sides of the line this season. At 6-5 and 285 pounds, he’s an imposing figure in the trenches and helped the Spartans average 342 yards total offense per game.
OL Tyler Powers, sr., Warrensburg-Lake George
A veteran of last year’s run to the state semifinals, Powers was not only a leader up front, but at 6 feet and 260 pounds, he was a bulldozer, paving the way for the Wolverines’ offense to rush for 337 yards per game.
OL Noah Davis, sr., Greenwich
Only in his second season of varsity football, Davis stepped up as the leader of a young group of linemen and became a two-way starter who played every snap, offense and defense. He’s also a candidate for valedictorian.
PK Connor Battle, jr., Schuylerville
Battle was one of the Black Horses’ most reliable weapons for the second year in a row. Recruited from the football team as a sophomore, Battle racked up 57 points for Schuylerville, making 51 of 53 PATs and a couple of field goals.
First Team Defense DL Martin Flanders Jr., sr., Schuylerville
Flanders’ value to the Black Horses was made apparent by his absence — “We’re a different team without him,” Schuylerville coach John Bowen said. In the Section II Class C title game, when the 6-4, 200-pound defensive end was injured, the Horses struggled in a loss Fonda. He also rushed for 700 yards and nine scores as a fullback.
DL Josh Bowen, jr., Schuylerville
If Flanders was drawing attention, Josh Bowen was sure to have a good game, and vice versa. The two were a dangerous combination as part of Schuylerville’s run-stuffing defense. The 5-11, 260-pound Bowen often plugged up the middle, as the Horses routinely stuffed Class C’s top running backs.
DL Matt Bordeaux, sr., Glens Falls
Strong and physical with a great motor, the 5-11, 210-pound Bordeaux always showed a great desire to get to the football, racking up 65 tackles for the Black Bears.
DL Max Hohman, sr., Warrensburg-Lake George
A 6-2, 210-pound defensive end, Hohman was a physical player who could take on lead blockers and still get to the quarterback. The Wolverines fed off his leadership and energy all season, and his injury in the Class D final was crucial.
LB Nick Jeckel, jr., Warrensburg-Lake George
Jeckel stepped right into the big linebacker shoes left by Tristen Hitchcock and carved his own path through opposing offenses. A 6-2, 215-pounder with speed, Jeckel racked up more than 100 tackles for the Wolverines.
LB Luke Sherman, sr., Schuylerville
Whether at outside linebacker or QB, the 6-1, 210-pound Sherman is a first-team athlete. He lined up just about anywhere on the Black Horses’ defense, from end to linebacker to corner. He also produced 590 yards each rushing and passing at QB, and accounted for 19 TDs.
LB Cody Touse, sr., South Glens Falls
Coach Matt Howard called Touse a competitor with only one speed — full. Touse was one of the Bulldogs’ best tacklers, a tough-as-nails player who was a sure short-yardage back, as well. He rushed for 650 yards and 13 TDs on offense.
LB C.J. Monty, soph., Granville-Whitehall
An all-around football player with outstanding knowledge and passion for the sport, the 5-10, 195-pound Monty was the centerpiece of the G-W defense and also produced 1,034 yards and 15 TDs on the ground.
DB Will Coon, sr., Hudson Falls
One of the fastest players in Class B, the 6-1, 175-pound Coon was as dangerous as a cover corner chasing down receivers as he was as an option quarterback for the Tigers.
DB Ryan Ingber, soph., Greenwich
Ingber was a run-stopper at strong safety for the Witches, coming downhill to make plays, but he also rushed for 841 yards and six TDs as the quarterback of Greenwich’s triple-option attack.
DB Zavry Ward, jr., Queensbury
A superb all-around athlete, the 6-foot, 195-pound Ward stood out at both safety and linebacker for the Spartans on defense. On offense, he produced more than 600 yards both rushing and passing, and accounted for 19 TDs.
P Griffin Brophy, sr., Schuylerville
Another kicking specialist recruited from the Black Horses’ soccer team, Brophy provided booming punts for the football team this fall, in addition to his duties as Schuylerville’s stellar goalkeeper.