Team of the Year: New Haven (8-1)
This award is a very, very contentious toss-up between New Haven, East Noble, and Leo. However, for their incredible season as an offensive unit and for their improvement from five straight seasons with five wins, New Haven gets the nod. Head Coach Kyle Booher led one heck of a team to a season they won’t forget in New Haven for a long time.
Most Improved Team: East Noble (7-2)
After an uncharacteristic 5-6 season last year (their first losing season since 2001), East Noble stormed right back to relevancy this season. A share of the NE8 title behind a big win against New Haven catapulted the success level of 2023. The most telling sign of improvement: a three-loss stretch last season (Norwell, Columbia City, New Haven) turned into a 3-0 stretch this season, outscoring those opponents 115 to 36.
Coach of the Year: Kyle Booher, New Haven
To take a firepowered offense with quarterback Donovan Williams, running back Tre Bates, and wide recievers Ajani Washington and Mylan Graham, and turn them into the cohesive unit they became this season? Quite the job well done by Kyle Booher and his coaching staff. Reminder: this is just year three of his time with the Bulldogs.
Game of the Year: New Haven 42, Leo 41 (OT)
What a thriller it was in Leo country in Week 4. A back and forth battle betwen the NE8’s top teams to that point in the season, wrapped up in overtime with a heartbreaking Leo defeat off a missed extra point that could’ve sent the game to double overtime. It had all the makings of an instant classic, and lived up to every last bit of the pregame hype.
Upset of the Year: East Noble 31, New Haven 21
Altough barely an upset considering the fact both teams are excellent, this game wins the award for the implications of the upset. To that point in the season, New Haven was undefeated with only two games left on the schedule–this one against East Noble and the next against Huntington North. It looked like New Haven was going to go on to win the conference outright, but East Noble wanted a slice of the cake. It was a dominant showing as well, as the Knights had New Haven’s prolific offense below double-digits until halfway through the fourth quarter.
Newcomer of the Year: Ajani Washington, New Haven
After transferring from the SAC’s Concordia, a lot of epople wondered what kind of impact Ajani would make as WR2 behind Mylan Graham. Not only did he surpass expectations, but he led the entire conference in recieving yards with 632–and eleven touchdowns to boot. Quite the season to end his high school football career. Just wait until you see him on the basketball court…
HIM Award: Donovan Williams, New Haven
21 passing touchdowns (four more than anyone else in the conference), 1,704 passing yards (almost 300 more than anyone else), and a 64% completion percentage. When it mattered most, Williams has been–and will continue to into the postseason–him personified.
Best College Commit: Mylan Graham, New Haven to The Ohio State
Although his commitment was made in April of this year, it can’t be stated enough how impactful his recruitment to–as Gus Johnson would say–The World Famous Ohio State has been. One of the biggest recruits the Northeast 8 conference has ever seen, and an absolute X-factor. Think about it: the long line of great Ohio State wide recievers. Michael Thomas, Parris Campbell, Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr…. Mylan Graham could be next up.
Mr. SCS: Kaden Hurst, Leo
Kaden Hurst is a special type of player. 935 all-purpose yards as a returner, rusher, and reciever. Eight offensive touchdowns. Three kickoff return touchdowns, including a 99-yard return against Kokomo. 22 tackles, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Mr. SCS, Mr. Everything, ladies and gentlemen… Mr. Kaden Hurst.
