The best of the best from the Pensacola area during the 2023 season

The Pensacola area continued to make plenty of noise in the final season of the Metro/Suburban era.

For the third-straight year, a local team put the plays and pieces together to make a state push. Following in the footsteps of Pine Forest in 2021 and Northview in 2022, Pensacola Catholic ended a 13-year drought by capturing the Region 1-2S title.

(Top left to right) Catholic’s Nigel Nelson, Gulf Breeze’s Battle Alberson, Catholic’s Justin Weatherall (Bottom left to right) Escambia’s Ladarian Clardy, Catholic’s Matt Adams, Tate’s Christian Neptune.

Thanks to their postseason run, the Crusaders highlight the representatives chosen for the 2023 Pensacola News Journal All-Area Football teams.

After weeks of exhaustive research and discussion from the PNJ sports staff and its contributors, selections were made based on coach nominations, total stats, average stats, collegiate recruiting, accolades and overall team success. This year’s All-Area edition includes six superlative winners, two teams and honorable mentions.

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Without further ado, here are the finest performers on the gridiron this past season.

MVP

Nigel Nelson, Pensacola Catholic

MVP – Nigel Nelson, Pensacola Catholic

Right before Pensacola Catholic’s game at Bradford in the state semifinals, Nelson described himself as an athlete who could do “just about anything” on the field. During the 2023 season, he proved that. Nelson is primarily a linebacker, but was moved to safety this year for the Crusaders. He had…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/pnj-area-football-best-best-100444527.html

Author : Pensacola News Journal

Publish date : 2023-12-24 10:04:44

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