Eleven local football players have been selected to the All-Greater Cortland teams for their performances during the 2023 season.
The players were selected from the 10 local schools and were chosen based on statistics and the way they impacted games. Most players played both offense and defense, but it was not held against a player for only playing one way.
Here are the players selected:
Gage Burlingame
(Senior running back, Cortland, 1-for-1 for 62 yards and a touchdown passing, 188 carries for 1,010 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing, 19 catches for 217 yards receiving, one tackle)
Burlingame led the ground attack for Cortland and put together an impressive season as a result. He was a true workhorse and anytime he got in the open field, showed his big play ability. Burlingame was involved in the passing game too, primarily on screens. The senior rushed for over 100 yards in five games this season, with his best performance coming against Oswego with 248 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.
Danny Jackson
(Senior wide receiver/defensive back, Cortland, 26 catches for 487 yards and six touchdowns receiving, 45 tackles and three interceptions defensively)
Jackson always seemed to pop up and make a play for Cortland when it needed it most. Whether it was a touchdown catch or a long gain, he was the one stepping up. He was a skilled receiver, who, despite only holding a 5-foot, 11-inch frame, consistently won 50/50 balls thrown in his direction. Jackson was also a lockdown and active defensive back, using his IQ as a receiver to his advantage.
Wyatt Wilbur
(Senior quarterback/linebacker, Homer, 24-for-63 for 389 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions passing, 35 carries for 44 yards and three touchdowns rushing, 47 tackles with 10 for a loss, two sacks, one pass deflection, a forced fumble and three fumble recoveries defensively)
Wilbur was a menace defensively, creating havoc while rushing off the edge. He was also versatile enough to drop down and play defensive end, slide over and play middle linebacker or drop back and play slot corner. Wilbur was also a big-armed, mobile quarterback who was a weapon on play-action passes in Homer’s power run scheme.
Tasker Dennis
(Senior offensive/defensive lineman, Homer, 51 tackles with 10 for a loss and a fumble recovery defensively)
Dennis was the next great Homer offensive lineman, solidifying the line and providing a consistent force to run behind.
He was a strong presence on a young and fluid offensive line. Dennis was also solid defensively as a run-stopping defensive lineman, playing both at tackle and end.
Laramy Velasquez-Ramirez
(Senior kicker/punter, Homer, 20-of-33 touchbacks on kickoffs, 22 punts for 34.3 yards per punt and four inside the 20, 9-for-12 on extra points, 2-for-6 on field goals with a long of 37, two tackles)
Velasquez-Ramirez was the best kicker in the Section III Class B league and very well was one of the top kickers in the state, regardless of class. The senior was a machine kicking extra points and had enough range to confidently kick 40-plus-yard field goals. Velasquez-Ramirez’s kickoffs were consistently going for touchbacks and he became a great punter, using his athleticism to haul in bad snaps and get punts off at uncomfortable angles.
Nick Karandeyev
(Senior running back/linebacker, Groton, 116 carries for 1,005 yards rushing, 17 catches for 403 yards receiving, 21 total touchdowns)
Karandeyev was coming off an impressive junior season and he did not disappoint in his senior year. He took on an even bigger role in the backfield and showed his full skillset on the offensive end. Karandeyev was a patient runner and, once he found a hole in the defense to run through, used his speed to break free. He was also a fantastic pass catcher and Groton made sure to get him involved in that part of the game when it wanted to.
Jay Miles
(Sophomore running back/defensive back, Dryden, 2-for-5 for 43 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions passing, 189 carries for 1,413 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing, seven catches for 104 yards and three touchdowns receiving, 65 tackles with nine for a loss, one interception, a pass deflection, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries defensively)
Miles broke the single-season rushing record at Dryden this season. He was the go-to option all year and was given the ball consistently and confidently. Miles was as skilled a running back as they come. He found holes, had good agility and game-breaking speed. Dryden has an offensive weapon with unlimited potential to be excited about the next two years.
Hunter Covington
(Junior offensive lineman, linebacker) Dryden, six pancake blocks, 107 tackles with 15 for a loss, two interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery defensively)
Covington brought a high level of intensity to the field every time he stepped on it that not many could match. His aggressiveness at linebacker gave opposing teams headaches. Covington was at his best when he got a full head of steam. Whether it was a tackle for a loss, a tackle in the open field or a big time block, he’d go up against anyone and make sure they remembered it.
Harper Shaw
(Senior running back/linebacker, Southern Hills, 142 carries for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns rushing, five catches for 94 yards and a touchdown receiving, 72 tackles, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and two touchdowns defensively)
Shaw was a workhorse for Southern Hills, taking carry after carry and rewarded the play callers with a 1,000-yard season. Shaw wasn’t the quickest running back, but he was fearless hitting holes and had enough power to break through weak arm tackles. He also was able to get sideline to sideline as a linebacker, but did his best work going downhill and sifting through blockers to make tackles.
Kyler Proper
(Senior running back/defensive back, Moravia, 62 carries for 940 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing, 21 catches for 493 yards and 15 touchdowns receiving)
Proper made jaws drop at times this season with his playmaking ability. Even when a play looked dead, he had the ability to make something happen and run toward the end zone. Moravia was a high-powered offense that liked to spread the ball around, but Proper was the go-to option when it mattered and he made the most of every opportunity.
His quick decision making mixed with his elite speed made it extremely difficult for defenses to bring him down. The senior used his skill set to play a lockdown defensive back as well and didn’t allow anything easy by him.
Luke Landis
(Senior quarterback, linebacker, Moravia, 86-for-155 for 1,741 yards, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions passing, 64 carries for 302 yards and seven touchdowns rushing)
Landis was the leader of a Moravia team that won the first sectional championship in school history. He got it done through the air and with his legs while under center. Landis had a great deal of trust with his teammates and was not afraid to target any of his options. His ability to make quick decisions led to a successful ground attack from him as well and he ran fearlessly. He was difficult to tackle in the open field and was a great tackler defensively. Landis was not afraid to take or give a big hit.
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Sports Editor Paul Cifonelli and Sports Reporter Matt Czeitner compiled the stats and recaps.
