Vote: Who is the 2023 Florida Panhandle Offensive Player of the Year?

We’ve selected 13 candidates for you to choose from

It was a record setting year across the board on the Florida Panhandle when it came down to offensive play.

From quarterbacks to running backs to wide receivers, there was plenty to get excited about if you were a fan of high school football all across the Panhandle region. 

We continue with our regional polls around the state as the high school football season winds down and ask the question: Who is the Offensive Player of the Year on the Florida Panhandle for 2023? 

We’ve selected 13 worthy candidates and ask you the fan to vote for who you think topped them all.

Voting will end on December 31st, 2023.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

Here are the nominees: 

Nigel Nelson, RB, Pensacola Catholic: You can’t underestimate the kind of runner Nelson was for the 2S state semifinalist Crusaders. Nelson carried the ball 180 times for 1,371 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. 

Battle Alberson, QB, Gulf Breeze: The Dolphins senior quarterback put up some strong numbers this fall. Alberson has completed 224-of-370 passes for 3,142 yards and 30 touchdowns. Also rushed for 688 yards and scored seven times on the ground. 

Amari Clemons, RB, Marianna: Clemons was the engine to the Bulldogs’ offense all season long. The bruising sophomore running back touched the ball 153 times for 1,365 yards and scored 22 touchdowns on the ground. Also has 17 catches for 323 yards and three scores. 

Nick Simmons, QB, Pace: Talk about your dual-threat style quarterback. Simmons gave the Patriots a ton of options under center as an athlete. Simmons threw for 729 yards, 10 touchdowns through the air. On the ground, the junior rushed for 971 yards and scored 16 touchdowns. 

Cole Tabb, RB, Choctawhatchee: The Stanford commitment was an absolute load to bring down for any defender trying to take him on. Tabb has carried the rock 211 times for 1,826 yards (8.7 yards per carry) and scored 18 touchdowns.

Anthony Hall, QB, Escambia: As a first-year starting quarterback, you expect a little bit of shaky play. Not from the poised Hall, however. The signal caller has played efficiently and effectively, with most importantly taking care of the football. Hall has thrown for 2,606 yards, 22 touchdowns and just four interceptions. 

Miequle Brock, RB, Pine Forest: The senior tailback was one of many talented running backs leading their offenses on the Florida Panhandle. Brock carried the ball 128 times for 1,405 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. 

Wells Bettenhausen, QB, Walton: Looking at the kind of impact Bettenhausen has had on the Braves is looking at their 11-1 record as well. The quarterback has completed 65 percent of his passes (170-of-259) for 2,658 yards and 30 touchdowns.The junior also rushed for 186 yards and five touchdowns. 

Connor Mathews, RB, Navarre: Not many running backs were producing in the kinda way Mathews was on a weekly basis for the playoff bound Raiders. The Navarre running back carried the ball 209 times for 1,500 yards and found pay dirt 24 times. 

Maddax Fayard, ATH, Niceville: The Niceville dynamo did it all for the Eagles this past season. Fayard totaled 878 all-purpose yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

John Nicholas, QB, West Florida: The Jaguars’ quarterback numbers stack up just about with any other signal caller on this list. Nicholas has completed 144-of-213 passes for 2,024 yards, 25 touchdowns and just five interceptions this season. 

Eddie Love Jr., RB, Fort Walton Beach: The junior running back finished the season with 1,352 yards and averaging nearly a first down every carry. Also has scored 14 touchdowns and has 193 yards receiving. 

Carson Hawk, QB, South Walton: The senior dual-threat quarterback put up some really strong numbers. Hawk led the 6-5 Seahawks with 2,456 yards passing, 25 touchdowns and also rushed for 293 and eight scores. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl