Vote: Who is the 2023 South Suncoast Offensive Player of the Year?

We’ve selected 14 candidates for you to choose from

It was a record setting year across the board on the South Suncoast 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 South Suncoast for 2023?

We’ve selected 14 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 nominations: 

Carson Beach, RB, Cardinal Mooney: The senior running back was a key cog in helping Cardinal Mooney win its first start championship since 1972. Beach carried the 239 times for 1,619 yards and scored 27 touchdowns en route to leading the Cougars to the Class 1S state championship. 

Jadyn Glasser, QB, Venice: Glasser transferred over to Venice from South Plantation and produced for the Indians under center. The senior quarterback completed 177-of-291 passes for 2,943 yards and 31 touchdowns. Also rushed for 355 yards and six scores. 

Jamarice Wilder, RB, Venice: Once committed to Colorado at one time, Wilder's recruitment is open and there's a reason many schools are after the tailback. The junior runner rushed for 1,271 yards on 149 carries and scored 25 touchdowns. 

DJ Johnson, RB, Sarasota Riverview: Just a junior, Johnson was always able to find his way through, around and over opposing defenses on a weekly basis. Johnson in 2023 rushed for 1,660 yards on 230 carries and scored a team-high 23 touchdowns for the Rams. 

Andrew Heidel, QB, Manatee: Playing as the lone starter for Jacquez Green this past season, Heidel blossomed in his role. The junior signal caller completed 206-of-318 passes for 2,618 yards, 20 touchdowns and a mere six interceptions. 

Bonshavior Bean, WR, Manatee: The wide receiver is always able to get himself open. Bean was able to get behind opposing defenses on a weekly basis and in 2023 had his best season. The senior caught 62 passes for 1,083 yards and nine touchdowns. 

Jackson Volz, QB, Parrish Community: If first-year head coach Dylan Clark needed a big play made on offense, he called upon his senior signal caller to do so. Volz finished 2023 completing 141-of-217 passes for 1,887 yards and 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions. 

Edd Guerrier, RB, Port Charlotte: The Rutgers commitment helped take the Pirates into the second round of the postseason, leading arguably one of their better teams in recent memory. Guerrier rushed for 1,146 yards on 117 carries and scored 18 touchdowns. 

Clay Ash, RB, IMG Academy White: Leading the entire South Suncoast when it came to yardage on the ground was Ash. The senior running back made big plays all over the state and even in London, as Ash rushed for 1,827 yards and scored 27 touchdowns. 

Rok Lodge, WR, Palmetto: The spark plug for a wide receiver is what Lodge was to the Palmetto offense. The senior wide receiver caught 46 passes for 937 yards and scored six touchdowns. 

Ezekiel Baez, RB, North Port: The running back was a part of the best season in North Port program history and was a tough stop for opposing defenses. Baez was the engine that helped make the Bobcats' offense go, including rushing for a school-record 282 yards in a win over IMG Academy Blue during the season. 

Jaden Judge, RB, Bayshore: Judge transferred from Sarasota to Bayshore during the off-season and the senior tailback had his best campaign. The running back ended 2023 rushing for 1,237 yards on 148 carries and scoring 11 touchdowns. Also had 211 yards receiving and a touchdown. 

Lorenzo Maurceri, QB, Lemon Bay: The senior dual-threat quarterback made a major impact on the Manta Rays this past season winning a district championship and leading them into the 2S playoffs. Maurceri threw for 1,178 yards, 10 touchdowns and also rushed for 671, seven scores. 

Josiah Booker, ATH, Sarasota Booker: Whether the 2S state semifinalist Tornadoes needed a big play through the air or on the ground, Booker could be counted on. The senior dynamo caught 45 passes for 739 yards, six touchdowns and also rushed for 285, five scores. 

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