It’s time to vote for the Detroit Free Press Buffalo Wild Wings Boys Prep Athlete of the Week.
This week’s poll features six football players who helped lead their teams to victories in the MHSAA football semifinals during the week of Nov. 16-22.
Voting will close at noon on Friday, Nov. 28.
Here are the nominees (listed in alphabetical order by last name):
QB Cooper Arnedt, Dexter
Cooper Arnedt led Dexter to a 41-6 victory over Birmingham Groves to advance to the team’s first state title appearance in school history. Receiver Cole Novara had a record-setting performance and credited Arnedt with helping him wth the achievement. Arnedt went 19-for-26 in passing and threw for 299 yard and four touchdowns to Novara.
WR Samson Gash, Detroit Catholic Central
A pair of Gashes contributed to Catholic Central’s 46-6 victory over East Kentwood on Saturday, but Samson took the slight edge over younger brother Gideon. The senior receiver and Michigan State football commit had three receptions for 27 yards and one touchdown; he also rushed for 17 yards on four carries. Samson’s biggest highlight of the day came on his first touch, a 90-yard punt return.
QB Jabin Gonzales, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s
Jabin Gonzalez gave his father, OLSM coach Jermaine Gonzales, quite a birthday present as the Eaglets defeated the No. 1 Portage Central Mustangs, 42-7, on Saturday to advance to the MHSAA Division 2 state finals. Jabin completed 14 of his 21 attempts, throwing for 202 yards and four touchdowns.
RB Ben Liparoto, Pontiac Notre Dame Prep
Liparoto was one of six players from Notre Dame Prep to score a touchdown during the team’s 51-21 victory over Monroe Jefferson to return to the Division 3 state finals. The senior running back finished with two touchdowns and 187 rushing yards on 20 carries.
RB Julian Taylor, Detroit Cass Tech
The Technicians are headed back to Ford Field to defend their Division 1 state title following a 48-22 victory over Rochester Adams on Saturday. Sophomore running back Julian Taylor rushed 18 times and finished with 178 yards and five touchdowns.
RB/DB Marcello Vitti, Divine Child
Vitti’s efforts on both ends helped Divine Child secure its spot in the Division 4 state finals following a 10-7 victory over Goodrich. The Iowa commit finished with 26 carries, 112 yards and one touchdown at running back. As a defensive back, Vitt had 12 tackles.
This week’s nominations include reporting from Jared Ramsey and Christian Romo.
Come back to freep.com/sports/high-schools/ every Tuesday morning to vote for Athlete of the Week.
Miss the deadline to nominate an athlete?
We take nominations through 10 a.m. Monday for the previous week’s games. Nominate for the week of Nov. 23-29 at freep.com/athlete. Note: Don’t use the nomination link to vote. You can vote in the poll above.
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Eric Guzmán covers youth sports culture at the Free Press as a corps member for Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support this work.
Contact Eric Guzmán: eguzman@freepress.com; 313-222-1850; Follow him on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Vote now for the Freep Buffalo Wild Wings Boys Athlete of the Week
Reporting by Eric Guzmán, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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