NYSPHSAA Class AA Finals Top Performers
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In one of the most anticipated games of the season in New York, Bennett returned to the AA state final after a crushing loss last season. The Bennett Tigers from Section VI which is the Buffalo region of New York…
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Continue ReadingIn one of the most anticipated games of the season in New York, Bennett returned to the AA state final after a crushing loss last season. The Bennett Tigers from Section VI which is the Buffalo region of New York has some of the most talented players in the entire state took on Newburgh Free Academy Goldbacks in Section IX which is the upstate New York region near Orange County. Newburgh went on an impressive run through the playoffs behind star DE/WR Deondre Johnson Deondre Johnson 6'8" | 200 lbs | WR Newburgh | 2023 State NY while Bennett had a combination of playmakers who helped them to the final. In a game that was expected to be close Bennett proved to be too talented for Newburgh to win in a 42-8 blowout. In a game that featured several tremendous performances from Bennett let’s take note of the top performers in the NYSPHSAA Class A Championship game.
Jayden Lewis Jayden Lewis 6’0″ | 190 lbs | ATH Bennett | 2023 State NY is one of the most electric players in all of New York and it showed on the most important game of the year for the Bennett Tigers. Bennett posted an incredible stat-line and was electric with the ball in his hands. Lewis day was unstoppable as he had 12 carries for 169 yards, 3 receptions for 60 yards, 3 Total TD’s, 1 INT. What set the tone for the game was Lewis’ 77-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play of the game. The Buffalo commit showed why he is one of the highly regarded recruits in the entire state.
Ja’Meer Thomas Ja’Meer Thomas 5’10” | 170 lbs | WR Bennett | 2024 State NY had an incredible breakout season for Bennett and it was capped off with an incredible performance in the state title game. Thomas had a 25-yard yard touchdown reception and that was largely his only offensive action of the day which was a little uncharacteristic for one of the fastest athletes in New York. However, just how Jayden Lewis Jayden Lewis 6’0″ | 190 lbs | ATH Bennett | 2023 State NY dominated on offense and Thomas was his compliment the opposite could be said for the defensive side of the ball. Ja’Meer Thomas Ja’Meer Thomas 5’10” | 170 lbs | WR Bennett | 2024 State NY made two electric plays on the defensive side of the ball with an 80-yard fumble recovery return for a touchdown which completely killed any early momentum that Newburgh Academy had on one of their lone solid drives. Thomas followed that up with an really impressive INT bringing his involvement in turnover plays to two. Thomas may have not had the type of offensive day we are used to because of the way this game went but man Thomas is making a case for being one of the best athletes in the class of 2024.
Highlights
Rashard Perry Rashard Perry 6’3″ | 245 lbs | DL Bennett | 2023 State NY just was awarded the Trench Trophy which is given to the best lineman in Section VI football and what we saw in the title game only confirms that he was the right player for the award. Perry was a part of the Bennett offensive line that opened huge holes for the Bennett playmakers all day long. On defense Perry was a force to be reckoned with consistently blowing up the backfield and also registered a sack on the day. What makes Perry’s performance so important is that he left the game with what looked to be an ankle or a knee injury (Cannot confirm the injury). Perry returned late in the first quarter and finished out the game having an impact all along the way.
Aaron Roseboro Aaron Roseboro 5’11” | 180 lbs | DB Bennett | 2024 State NY may have not filled that stat sheet like some of his other playmaking teammates but he was tasked with one of the most difficult tasks all game and that was guarding star Newburgh WR and Rutgers commit Deondre Johnson Deondre Johnson 6’8″ | 200 lbs | WR Newburgh | 2023 State NY who is an incredible 6’8. Johnson had only one reception all day and while QB Mason Hoover Mason Hoover 6’0″ | 165 lbs | QB Newburgh | 2025 State NY was under pressure all day from Rashard Perry Rashard Perry 6’3″ | 245 lbs | DL Bennett | 2023 State NY and Darrell Hamilton Darrell Hamilton 5’11” | 265 lbs | DL Bennett | 2024 State NY which did not help but on several targets Roseboro had Johnson locked down. Roseboro’s highlight of the day was a PBU in the endzone where it looked like Johnson may have had the advantage on the jump ball. Overall, really solid day from Roseboro against one of New York’s best.