It’s a small wonder the collective “WHAT!?” wasn’t audible throughout Dutchess County that night in October, when area football fans first heard what Drew Kozak had done.
It was that hard-to-believe performance in which the senior went for 467 yards and a Section 9-record nine touchdowns while leading Our Lady of Lourdes to victory in a high-scoring shootout against Wallkill. Of course, that grabbed headlines and turned heads in New York. But most remarkable about his season is the fact this game wasn’t that much of an aberration.
The running back was electric and had eye-popping numbers almost every week while leading a rebuilding Warriors squad to the Class A sectional semifinals. With his explosive speed, vision and elusiveness ― along with his versatility as a receiver ― Kozak consistently made plays that wowed audiences.
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He was named all-section and first-team all-state after totaling 2,533 all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns. That included 1,211 yards rushing yards at 11.4 per attempt, and 45 receptions for 745 yards. He also excelled in all three phases, averaging averaged 27.7 yards on kickoff returns in addition to 71 tackles and three interceptions as a defensive back. And that was against a schedule weighted with large-school opponents.
Those accomplishments earned Kozak the Journal’s Offensive Player of the Year.
“Andrew is an better person than he is a player, which says a lot,” Lourdes coach Sean Keenan said. “No matter what he did individually, he remained humble and grateful to his teammates. He’s a great young man, an excellent leader by example, and an incredible athlete on top of that.”
First team
Raheem Adebola, Ketcham, guard, senior: The all-section selection anchored both lines for the Storm, leading a turnaround season. Adebola created lanes for a run-heavy offense that totaled 1,808 yards on the ground en route to the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals. Voted League B Offensive Lineman of the Year, he also dominated at defensive end.
Joshua Bishop, Highland, wide receiver, senior: With his versatility and athleticism, he accounted for 1,059 all-purpose yards and 12 touchdowns. The all-Section 9 pick was a constant big-play threat, averaging 22.7 yards per catch and helping lead Highland to the Class B semifinals.
Jacob Brandenburg, Spackenkill, running back, junior: He brought a physical, power-running style that helped invigorate the Spartans, leading them to the playoffs in their second year since returning to 11-player football. Brandenburg rushed for 625 yards and eight touchdowns, earning all-Section 9 honors.
Michael DiViesti, Marlboro, center, senior: Lauded for his football IQ and ability to make quick adjustments, the two-time Journal All-Star is an excellent blocker who has anchored a solid line and cleared paths for an offense that totaled 1,891 rushing yards.
Elijah Epps, Beacon, running back, sophomore: His quick change of direction and open-field speed made him a breakout star. Epps averaged 6.1 yards per carry and totaled 802 yards with seven touchdowns, earning all-Section 9.
Dylan Fay, Ketcham, running back, senior: A combination of power, patience and quickness enabled him to produce consistently, helping the Storm secure their first playoff berth since 2019. Fay ran for 604 yards (at 6.3 per carry) and six touchdowns and was named all-Section 1.
Nick Horowitz, New Paltz, running back/wide receiver, senior: He earned all-Section 9 after totaling 628 yards and seven touchdowns, helping the rebuilding Huguenots win five games. Horowitz also shined as a defensive back with three sacks and interception.
Nathaniel Johnson, John Jay-East Fishkill, wide receiver, junior: He often showed why he’s a track and field star, turning open-field opportunities into explosive plays. The all-Section 1 selection had 649 yards in eight games and scored six touchdowns of 20-plus yards.
Cartier Joshua, Arlington, wide receiver, junior: An explosive receiver with 4.46 speed, Joshua had 22 catches for 478 yards and seven touchdowns despite an injury limiting him to eight games. The all-Section 1 pick also was named Offensive MVP of the Exceptional Senior game after posting 350 all-purpose yards.
Marc Kuhlmann, Pawling, wide receiver, junior: A sure-handed receiver with breakaway speed, he earned all-Section 9 honors after posting 35 catches for 602 yards and seven touchdowns and helping Pawling reach the 8-man section final.
Peyton McFarland, Franklin D. Roosevelt, center, junior: With his smarts, strength and a mastery of close-quarters leverage, the wrestling standout has shined on the field as well. McFarland anchored the line for an offense that averaged 6.2 yards per carry this season and totaled 5,347 yards in his three years as a starter.
Salvatore Montaperto Jr., Marlboro, running back, senior: He twice earned Journal All-Star nods as a pass rusher, but he thrived in an expanded offensive role this season. The bruising power runner averaged 8.5 yards per carry and totaled 853 yards with 10 touchdowns, leading Marlboro to the Section 9 Class B final.
Matt Ogana, Dover, running back, sophomore: He sparked their offense down the stretch, going for 991 yards and 11 touchdowns with two receiving touchdowns, including the winning score that clinched Dover’s first playoff berth since 2017.
Kulin Ogelle, Highland, offensive tackle, senior: The all-state pick is a dominant run blocker whose mobility and footwork at 315 pounds has drawn college interest. Ogelle routinely racked up pancake and second-level blocks and was voted Section 9’s Class B Lineman of the Year.
Kole Tempestelli, Millbrook/Webutuck, quarterback, junior: An explosive, dual-threat quarterback, he accounted for more than half the Blazers’ total yards and made several big plays to lead this rebuilding team. That, along with his play at free safety, earned Tempestelli all-Section 9 and all-state honors.
Jayden Tuttle, Arlington, wide receiver, senior: Described by coach Michael Morano as “one of the most dynamic players I’ve ever coached,” Tuttle was a threat to score wherever he received the ball (or intercepted it). He set a program record with 556 yards on 43 catches with six touchdowns. The all-Section 1 standout also starred at cornerback with four interceptions.
Jazziah Whitted, Beacon, quarterback, senior: He enjoyed a breakout season, leading a quick-strike offense that helped Beacon make its first playoff appearance since 2014. Whitted completed 65.7% of his passes for 1,127 yards and 17 touchdowns to five interceptions, and ran for 239 yards and three scores.
Second team
Nicholas Albra, Beacon, OL/DL, Sr.
Sean Allen, Arlington, OT/DL, Sr.
Vinny Angioletti, John Jay, WR/RB, Sr.
Caleb Bieber, Ketcham, FB/DE, Jr.
Jack Buzzurro, Marlboro, RB/DB, Jr.
Connor Elliott, Highland, OL/DL, Jr.
Tazjir Gary, Poughkeepsie, WR/LB, Jr.
Elias Lopez, Spackenkill, OL/DL, Sr.
Brent Macri, Pine Plains/Rhinebeck, QB, So.
Noey Ledesma, Lourdes, QB, Sr.
Michael Lucido, Arlington, OC, Sr.
Robert Paschal, Red Hook, WR/RB/QB/PK, Jr.
Carter Rivieccio, Marlboro, QB, Sr.
Chris Schetter, Ketcham, OT/DT, Sr.
Robert Smith, Millbrook/Webutuck, RB/DE, Jr.
Kens Vernelus, Roosevelt, OG, Sr.
Honorable mention
Arlington: Ryan Rancourt, Jr., QB; Anthony Russo, Sr., RB
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Chris Cash, Jr., WR; Mason Cuccia, Sr., QB; Calvin Holland, Sr., OT; Stephen Lake, Sr., OL; Owen Rose, Sr., OG/DT; Hudson Stehle, Jr., ATH
Haldane: Alex Gaugler, So., RB/LB
Highland: Marco Garrity, Jr., RB/LB
John Jay: Logan Lawrence, Jr., QB; Matthew Partridge, Sr., ATH/QB
Marlboro: Jesus Cediel Echeverri, Sr., PK/P
New Paltz: Malcolm Dillehay, So., RB; Nick Drewnowski, So., QB; Ben Gabriels, Sr., WR; Sean Marz, Sr., RB/KR
Our Lady of Lourdes: Mike Domenico, Jr., OL/DE; Noah Garb, Sr., PK; Dallas Selig, Sr., OT/DT
Pawling: Lucas Carrozza, So., TE/LB; Mikey Covell, So., QB
Pine Plains: Joseph Kazolias, Sr., WR/DB; Jack Melious, Jr., RB/LB
Red Hook: Colby Benasutti, Jr., WR/DB; Jordan Bennett, Jr., RB/LB; Brantley Oji, Jr., WR/DB
Roy C. Ketcham: Dom Best, Jr., OC; Nick DiMarco, Jr., OT/TE/DE; Liam Harris, Sr., RB; Kenrick Williams, Sr., WR
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Football: Kozak headlines the Journal’s 2024 offensive all-stars
