All-Brooklyn Football Honors

Brooklyn was again the premier football borough in New York City — and even more than usual this year.

Abraham Lincoln defeated Erasmus Hall for its third Public School Athletic League City Conference football title the last four years. It got there by beating Grand Street, which reached its first semifinal in program history. Poly Prep posted its second-straight one-loss season and dominated opponents all year long.

Franklin Roosevelt and Eagle Academy II each made its own bit of history, as well. FDR won the school’s first Bowl crown and the Eagles took home the Cup championship in its first year as a varsity team. Xaverian reached the Catholic Class A title game.

The great success by the borough’s teams brought out plenty of stellar individual seasons. Here are the players we consider the best of the best:

All-Brooklyn Football Player of the Year: Luis Rodriguez, Abraham Lincoln

The senior started the year as one of the Railsplitters’ top receivers and ended it as by far the team’s most important player, period. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Rodriguez tied a Public School Athletic League record by scoring all nine of Lincoln’s touchdowns in the post season, including two in the championship game. He scored 22 total touchdowns and had 1,495 total yards of offense.

All-Brooklyn Football Coach of the Year: Bruce Eugene, Grand Street Campus

Eugene brought a swagger to the Wolves and his team backed it up with one of the best seasons in program history. Grand Street proved it is one of the elite programs in the city by going 11–2, earning two playoff wins, and reaching the Public School Athletic Leauge semifinals. Eugene has done a tremendous job building the program toward sustainable success.

All-Brooklyn Football First Team

Running back Troy Booker, Fort Hamilton

The sophomore played beyond his years for the Tigers. Fort Hamilton was one of the city’s hottest teams as he came of age. Booker scored 15 touchdowns and compiled 1,467 yards of total offense.

Running back Shavar Brathwaite, Erasmus Hall

Brathwaite’s role increased as the season went on, and the senior ran with it. He slowly became the Dutchmen’s top running back and jump-started the offense. He scored three times in the semifinals.

Running back/Linebacker Brenden Femiano, Poly Prep

Femiano finished his time at Poly in style. The senior’s strength made him tough to bring down and he ran for 1,346 yards, and 13 rushing scores. He also matured into one of the city’s top players as linebacker.

Linebacker Deonte Fleming, Abraham Lincoln

The senior was one of the cornerstones of the Railsplitters’ defense, despite battling injuries. Fleming, who made 27 tackles, had one of the biggest plays of the year with a fourth down stop of Shavar Braithwaite late in the final.

Wide receiver Taysir Mack, Grand Street Campus

The 6-foot-3 Mack announced himself as one of the best receivers in the tri-state area. The junior’s superb hands and leaping ability allowed him to catch 14 touchdown passes and compile 932 yards of total offense.

Defensive lineman Alejandro Oregon, Abraham Lincoln

Oregon established himself as one of the city’s best defense players, and helped Lincoln allow just 12 points in the postseason. The senior made 54 tackles, including 15 for a loss and nine sacks. He also recovered a fumble and grabbed an interception.

Quarterback Chris Parker, Poly Prep

Parker was the most explosive player in the five boroughs this year, and one of the toughest to defend. The four-year starter averaged nine yards per carry while running for 1,867 yards and 21 touchdowns. Coach Dino Mangiero called him the best player he’s had at Poly.

Linebacker Deonte Roberts, Erasmus Hall

The Rutgers-bound Roberts was the centerpiece of the city’s most consistent defense. He made 71 tackles, including two sacks. The senior’s speed, strength, and awareness made him extremely tough to run on.

Defensive lineman Kamaal Seymour, Grand Street Campus

Much of the talk around Grand Street was its explosive offense, but the Rutgers-bound Seymour quietly led a stout defense. The 6-foot-6, 280-pound senior made 73 tackles and recorded 10 sacks.

Quarterback Justin White, Grand Street Campus

Grand Street was still able to win games without White, but its senior signal caller pushed them to another level with his speed, guts, and big arm. White scored 25 total touchdowns and compiled 1,975 yards of total offense.

Offensive lineman-Defensive lineman Isaiah Wilson, Poly Prep

It was easy to see that the 6-foot-5, 300-pound sophomore was one of the top two-way lineman in the city. Wilson’s footwork and savvy are beyond his years, and despite the loss of Jay Hayes, the Poly running game remained dominant.

Honorable Mention

Running back-Wide receiver Rhamel Ashby, Grand Street

Defensive lineman Najee Baker, Abraham Lincoln

Running back/Linebacker Timothy Bowers, South Shore

Offensive Lineman Joe Bussiereth, Abraham Lincoln

Wide receiver Kefa Cort, Erasmus Hall

Defensive lineman Kadeen Dryden New Utrecht

Wide receiver Alpha Gamby, Brooklyn Tech

Quarterback Aaron Grant, Erasmus Hall

Defensive lineman Kamari Jones Hunter, Canarsie

Quarterback Sharif Legree, Fort Hamilton

Defensive end Ray Marten, Poly Prep