Poll Results: Spellman runs away from competition

The Yukica Award is presented to the top high school football player in New Hampshire each year. It is the premier individual football award in the state. Who will win the Yukica Award in 2026? That's a question Prep Redzone asked in the form of a poll last week. Readers could vote for one of 15 players listed in the poll, or choose a player not on the list. Here are the five players who received the most votes, starting with No. 1:    Spellman had an injury that forced him to miss six games last season, but it's still not a surprise that he garnered the most votes (5,614) because he is unquestionably one of the best two-way players in the Granite State. He rushed for 684 yards and four touchdowns in seven games last season, when he had 120 receiving yards and one TD reception. In addition, he made 42 tackles, including three tackles for loss, as a defensive back. A member of the Pinkerton basketball team that won the Division I championship last winter, Spellman will be trying to lead the Astros to their third straight Division I championship game in football.     Magarian was neck-and-neck with Spellman for most of the voting, but finished second with 5,067 votes. He's one of the top college prospects from New Hampshire in the Class of 2027, and will play tight end and defensive end for a Londonderry program that does a good job of placing its athletes at the correct level in college. Magarian, who is up to 265 pounds, received FCS offers from the University of Maine and Central Connecticut State University this summer before he committed to the University of Rhode Island in July. He'll be difficult for defenders to bring down once he has the ball in his hands.     McDonald finished third in the poll with 667 votes, but it should come as no surprise if he ends up as the most valuable player in the state. Here's why: After a standout junior season as a wide receiver/defensive back, McDonald will move to quarterback this season. He was laser-timed at 4.52 seconds for the 40-yard dash at the New Hampshire Football Showcase, and will give Winnacunnet a dangerous running threat in its Veer offense. McDonald averaged 17.1 yards per catch last season, when he had 37 receptions for 633 yards and six touchdowns. He also recorded 42 tackles and intercepted six passes.     Rao, who finished fourth with 571 votes, transferred from Londonderry to rival Pinkerton Academy after his sophomore season and made 17 catches for 415 yards and six touchdowns in Pinkerton's Wing-T attack in 2025. Expect his production to increase this season since he's also being used at quarterback. He'll give the Astros a big-play threat at either position. Rao is also an impact player on defense. He had 50 tackles and four interceptions for a Pinkerton team that lost to Bedford in the Division I championship game last year.     Gomez garnered 209 votes and took fifth place in the poll. He had modest statistics last season, largely because he plays tight end in a triple-option offense. A standout in basketball, Gomez received eight Division I offers last summer and committed to the University of Massachusetts in June. His height and athletic ability will make him a mismatch in the passing game whether he's playing tight end or lines up wide. He's also a willing blocker when not involved in the play, and could be a dominant defensive end for the Crusaders this season.

The Yukica Award is presented to the top high school football player in New Hampshire each year. It is the premier individual football award in the state. Who will win the Yukica Award in 2026? That's a question Prep Redzone asked in the form of a poll last week. Readers could vote for one of 15 players listed in the poll, or choose a player not on the list. Here are the five players who received the most votes, starting with No. 1: