MIAA Football: 2018 Preseason Player of the Year Watch List

St. John's Shrewsbury's Eamonn Dennis figures to be right in the heart of the discussion all season.

By Matt Feld (@Mattyfeld612)

To kick-off our countdown to the start of the MIAA high school football season, we unveiled on Monday our five predictions heading into the year.

Now, SuiteSports is ready to unveil its 2018 Preseason Player of the Year Watch List as selected by its panel of writers, correspondents and editors.

We like to caution that this is just a preseason “watch list” and players can easily play their way into the discussion on a week-by-week basis. Check back in tomorrow as we release our picks for all of the exciting slate of games set to be played later this week.

Mike Sainristil, Sr., WR/DB, Everett

The do-it-all playmaker for Everett may be the favorite to win this award heading into the 2018 season. Sainristil is trying to lead the Crimson Tide to their third straight Division 1 Super Bowl and can score in all three facets of the game.

Jake McElroy, Sr., QB, North Andover

If last year's success is any indication of what is to come, Jake McElroy may emerge as the top quarterback in Massachusetts this fall. McElroy threw for 1,847 yards and 16 touchdowns, while running for 500 yards and 11 additional touchdowns in 2017.

Matt Smith, Sr., WR/TE, Needham

One of the top pass-catchers in the Bay State, Smith is coming off a 2017 season in which he had 37 receptions for 702 yards. A Duke commit, Smith may also play some defensive end this season.

Eamonn Dennis, Jr., WR/DB, St. John’s Shrewsbury

Dennis is as potent as they come in the open field, helping to engineer a record setting year for the St. John’s Shrewsbury offense in 2017. Now a veteran, expect even more touches for the athletic two-way star.

Cal Kenney, Sr., DL, Lincoln-Sudbury

Kenney was the Dual County League’s Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2017 in helping to lead the Warriors’ to Gillette Stadium. Expect more of the same this time around.

Myles Bradley, Sr., WR, Springfield Central

There may be no player more exciting to watch in the Bay State on a weekly basis than Bradley who comes into the 2018 season off an explosive junior campaign. 

Kevin Pyne, Jr., OL, Milford

Pyne figures to have an instant impact on the Milford offense as he is one of the top lineman in the region. 

Ryan Clemente, Sr., OL/DL, North Attleboro

Clemente is the top linemen in the Hockomock League with the ability to dramatically alter the complexion of a game on both sides of the ball. 

Spencer Cassell, Sr., TE, Hingham

Cassell is one of the more highly touted tight end prospects. Committed to Harvard, he has become a weapon for the Harbormen both as a blocker and pass-catcher.

Devaun Ford, Sr., RB/DB, Mashpee

Ford has been explosive over the past two seasons, playing an integral part in the Falcons' consecutive Super Bowl wins. If Mashpee is to going to three-peat, there is no question that Ford wil once again be at the center of it all.