Kam Hughes named CJ Player of the Year

Dec. 8—Kam Hughes

Somerset's senior leader has been named the 2023 Commonwealth Journal Player of the Year for football after a tremendous season that saw the Jumpers make it all the way to the state semifinals. Hughes was by far the leading scorer in the area as well as leading rusher, totaling 2,005 yards on the ground with 35 touchdowns, as well as 255 reception yards with one touchdown. Hughes was also a force on the defensive end, totaling 95 tackles and leading the area with six interceptions.

Christian WaldenThe Southwestern senior has been named the Commonwealth Journal Offensive Player of the Year for 2023 after leading a vaunted Warrior rushing attack. Despite having four runners over 500 yards on the season, Walden was on top with 1,264 yards along with 15 touchdowns, while having 191 reception yards with two touchdowns.

Jonas GallagherGallagher, a junior for Southwestern, has been named the Commonwealth Journal Defensive Player of the Year for 2023. Gallagher was a force in the defensive backfield this season, totaling 76 tackles with two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, along with leading his team with four interceptions and a touchdown on an interception return.

QuarterbackZak Anderson, a sophomore at Pulaski, makes the All-County team in his first year as the starting quarterback of the Maroons. Anderson led the local area with 2,154 yards through the air, while passing for 22 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 222 yards with three touchdowns.

Running BackKris Hughes, a sophomore at Somerset, was the second-leading rusher for the Jumpers with 732 yards with 13 touchdowns and also was the leading receiver with 515 yards and six touchdowns.

Kasen Brock makes the All-County team as a freshman, totaling 1,459 yards with 14 touchdowns, as well as catching 35 receptions for a total of 329 yards and two touchdowns.

Braxton Walters, a junior for the Warriors, was their second-leading rusher with 568 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Wide ReceiverHarris Denmyer was the leading receiver in the area as a junior for the Maroons, catching 66 receptions for six touchdowns and 1,047 yards.

Cayden Cimala was solid for the Jumpers in his senior season, finishing with 29 receptions for 374 yards and five touchdowns.

Southwestern senior Caden Cunnagin was the leading receiver for the Warriors, totaling 470 yards on 28 receptions with five touchdowns.

Offensive LineSouthwestern seniors Nico Pascarella and Tyler Russell anchored an offensive line that allowed the Warriors to rush for 3,682 total yards.

Somerset linemen Zac Carter and Cameron Alsip played a role in allowing Kam Hughes to feast on multiple defenses this season.

Pulaski junior Brycedon Brown and freshman Brady Hull were strong this season and allowed a relatively young offense to put up a lot of yards over the course of the season.

KickerSouthwestern junior Jayce Gager had one of the longest streaks in school history in terms of made PAT's and went 59 out of 64 PAT's this season.

Defensive LinePulaski senior Jay Bales had the most sacks for the Maroons with three and totaled 87 tackles this season.

Southwestern sophomore Deven Leclercq had the most sacks in the local area with seven for the year and totaled 60 tackles with 10 coming for a loss.

Southwestern senior Kolton Goff anchored the defensive line for the Warriors and had two and a half sacks along with 39 tackles and six and a half tackles for loss.

LinebackersSomerset senior Brady Barnes led his team with 107 total tackles this season with two forced fumbles.

A freshman for the Jumpers, Austyn Lawless, was second on the team with 101 tackles with 12 of them coming for a loss, and led the team with six sacks. Lawless also forced two fumbles.

Gunner Loveless, a senior for Pulaski, had the most tackles in the local area with 112 and also had a sack.

Defensive BacksSomerset sophomore Isaiah Lewis totaled four interceptions for the Briar Jumpers this season and also had 43 tackles.

Pulaski freshman Cohen Finley led the Maroons with three interceptions and totaled 95 tackles with one sack and one forced fumble.

Southwestern senior Collin Hibbard had three interceptions for the Warriors this season, along with 39 tackles and one sack.