By Tyler Amaral
NEFJ Correspondent
If you are a Massachusetts high school football fan, you know the big names such as Noah MacKenzie, Osiris Lopez, Mekhi Dodd, Justin Marques, Shane Eason, Micah Amedee, Aidan Williams and other consensus or near-consensus All-State caliber players.
But, who are some of the players flying under the radar entering the 2024 season? There are no shortage of contenders – from potential breakout stars to unsung heroes on teams with state title aspirations. Here’s a look at the top 24 under-the-radar players entering the 2024 seasons. All eight Massachusetts divisions will be accounted for, with three players listed from each division.
Division 1
Ryan Conley, Lowell: Conley had over 1,300 all-purpose yards last year as a sophomore. If Lowell is to compete for a playoff spot this year, Conley will have to shoulder a lot of the load.
James Curry, Braintree: Curry returns to lead the Wamps this season after rushing for more than 1,700 yards last season. Braintree is an under-the-radar team in Division 1 to keep an eye on. Curry doesn’t get quite as much hype as some other running backs around the state, but he is as good.
Owen White, St. John’s Prep: White will be a key player for the Eagles in the secondary. He played well last year, especially against Catholic Memorial.
Division 2
Will Devine, Marshfield: Devine has the ability to play linebacker and defensive back. He figures to be a key piece of the Rams defense this fall.
Bryan Harrison, Winchester: Harrison racked up 145 tackles last year as a sophomore. By Thanksgiving, Harrison will be a household name.
Andrew Orphanos, Bishop Feehan: Orphanos was a versatile piece for the Shamrocks last fall. Expect his role to grow on both sides of the field this season.
Division 3
Jack Lucarelle, Minnechaug: One of the top signal-callers in Western Massachusetts, Lucarelle is poised for a big year.
Jaxson St. Pierre, Westfield: St. Pierre – like Lucarelle – is a top quarterback in Western Mass. St. Pierre has more on his shoulders this fall after the Bombers graduated star running back Kaevon Eddington.
Thomas Sousa, Milford: Numbers may be lower than usual this year for Milford, but expect the Scarlet Hawks to once again be a Division 3 contender. Sousa will be a key cog at tight end and along the defensive line.
Division 4
Isaiah Robinson, Nauset: Robinson missed most of last season. Robinson is poised for a big fall after coming off a solid summer in passing leagues.
John Rovegno, Duxbury: It’s hard for any Dragon to fly under the radar, but Revegno fits the bill. Rovegno will play a key role along both lines for Duxbury as the Dragons seek a three-peat.
Mekhi Volcy, Bedford: The Buccaneers figure to be a Division 4 playoff team this fall. Volcy will be at the center of what Bedford wants to do both offensively and defensively.
Division 5
Michael Albano, Danvers: Danvers is hoping to build off last year’s playoff run. Albano will be a key player at wide receiver and safety.
Sebastian Brown, Hanover: Brown is one of the top returners for the Hawks. Brown is a big target at wide receiver and figures to put up big numbers.
AJ Pinet, Dedham: Dedham should be a contender in Division 5 this year, led by Pinet who had nearly 1,800 rushing yards a season ago. Ben Angelini rightfully gets a lot of buzz as a running back in this division, but Pinet is a very talented back, as well.
Division 6
Kaiden Brochu, Bay Path: If Bay Path is to be a playoff team this fall, it will be largely because of Brochu. Brochu had a monster junior season racking up nearly 2,500 yards and over 30 touchdowns.
Zach Moura, Fairhaven: Justin Marques is on the shortlist of top returning running backs in the state and Moura is part of an excellent line that paves the way for the Fairhaven rushing attack. The Blue Devils enter the season as the favorite to repeat in Division 6.
Owen Nanartowich, Hudson: Nanartowich is a playmaker on both sides of the ball for the Hawks. As a junior, he racked up over 120 tackles.
Division 7
Zach Hurd, Manchester Essex: Manchester Essex is one of the contenders in Division 7. The Hornets will be relying on their junior signal-caller this season.
Shane Mulcahy, Cohasset: All-State weapon Liam Appleton has graduated and Mulcahy could emerge as the top pass catcher for the prolific Michael Wildfire.
Ryan Triveri, Mashpee: Coach Matt Triveri’s son is poised for a breakthrough senior year. Teams have had trouble covering him this summer in passing leagues and scrimmages. Triveri will be a favorite target for quarterback Dominic Matteodo.
Division 8
Jack Balzarini, Carver: Carver is coming off arguably the best football season in school history. The Crusaders graduated a lot from last year’s team, but Balzarini returns and is making the switch to quarterback this fall.
Sawyer Lefsyk, Athol: Athol was a playoff team last year for the first time in the statewide playoff era. The Bears are looking to build off that momentum led by Lefsyk, who amassed over 1,200 yards from scrimmage as a junior.
Michael Stackpole, KIPP: KIPP has had successful playoff runs recently and they figure to be among the contenders in a wide open Division 8. Expect Stackpole to make a difference on both sides of the ball.