CVAC football watchlist: Returning standouts to follow in 2025

PLATTSBURGH | As the 2025 football season approaches, several returning standouts and rising stars are poised to make an impact. From dual-threat quarterbacks to dynamic skill-position players, these athletes could define their teams' seasons. Here's a closer look at some of the players to watch. Jake Frechette, Peru, QB, Sr. Completed 79 of 139 passes (56%) for 1,248 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Returns primary targets Trent Taylor, Chase Carpenter and Mason Starke. The dual-threat quarterback also rushed 67 times for 430 yards and four touchdowns. Shamus Bibeau, Beekmantown, RB, Sr. With Parker Broughton lost to graduation, Bibeau is likely to assume primary ball-carrying duties. Bibeau posted 893 yards on 111 carries with 11 touchdowns last season. He amassed 202 yards and four touchdowns in the Section VII Class B championship game. Zander Daniels, Saranac, RB, Sr. Daniels returns from prep school after a stellar sophomore season in 2023, when he rushed 56 times for 642 yards and four touchdowns. With quarterback Zack Lucia and running back River Poulin lost to graduation, Daniels will be expected to produce right away. Wyatt Bridges, Peru, RB-DE, Sr. Took over the workload for the Nighthawks in the second half of 2024. Rushed for 506 yards and 11 touchdowns on 65 carries (7.7 yards per attempt). On defense, he can pressure from the edge or patrol at linebacker. Led Peru with six sacks and was third on the team in tackles (41). Trent Taylor, Peru, WR, Sr. Returning CVAC first-team wide receiver. Anchored the Nighthawks' receiving corps with 30 catches and 355 yards. Recorded seven receptions and a touchdown in Peru's 41-15 win at Saranac. Enters his final go-around with 40 career catches. Branigan Boulds, Saranac, WR-DB, Sr. Reliable receiver who hauled in 27 of the Spartans' 63 completed passes last season. Finished with 414 yards and five touchdowns. Defensively, he led the Spartans with four interceptions, including two against Peru. Chase Carpenter, Peru, WR-CB, Jr. One of the top pound-for-pound sophomores in 2024, earning second-team wide receiver and cornerback. Deep-ball threat with a 20.5 yards-per-catch average. Led the Nighthawks with four touchdown receptions. Defensively, he added one interception and anchored Peru with 12 pass breakups. David Montroy, Saranac Lake, RB, Sr. Likely to spearhead a loaded Red Storm backfield in 2025. Led the team with 100 carries and 490 rushing yards while posting six rushing touchdowns. Added a two-point conversion to finish second in team scoring with 38 points. Brody Blaise-Smith, Peru, RB-LB, Jr. Potentially the strongest sophomore in recent memory. Finished second on the team with 47 total tackles behind CVAC Defensive Player of the Year Elliott Supley. Emerged as a third-down and goal-line back, rushing 25 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns. Scottie Nicholas, Saranac Lake, RB, Sr. Versatile playmaker last season who got 50 touches — 36 rushing, 14 receiving. Led the Red Storm with 160 receiving yards and converted 10 PATs. Likely to figure into the ground game with David Montroy, Owen Lawrence and Alius Martelle. Aiden Blaise, AuSable Valley, QB, Jr. Completed 51 passes for 542 yards and four touchdowns as a sophomore last season. Showed the ability to move the offense through the air and could take a major step forward as a junior. Owen Lawrence, Saranac Lake, RB, Jr. The Lake Placid student-athlete impressed during his sophomore campaign. He racked up 283 yards and one touchdown on 59 carries in eight games. He also contributed two interceptions on defense. Jackson Dorsett, Ticonderoga, QB, Jr. A three-sport standout in football, basketball and baseball, Dorsett is coming off a sophomore baseball season in which he was the CVAC MVP runner-up. He will quarterback Ticonderoga as the program transitions from eight-man to 11-man football in 2025. Maggie Garrow, Peru, K, Sr. Garrow, who simultaneously plays girls soccer and football for the Nighthawks, enters her senior season having converted 86 PATs across her career. Coincidentally, that ranks her 86th all time in state history. Only 67 players have made 100 or more. Ryan Colburn, Plattsburgh High, WR-QB, Jr. Colburn steps into a larger role for a Hornets offense that threw the ball on 57% of its plays last season but graduated quarterback Dan Hartmann and its top-three receivers. He caught eight passes for 158 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore and showed versatility by completing 7 of 12 passes for 93 yards and a score when called upon at quarterback. Wyatt Whitman, Moriah, WR, Sr. With the Vikings hit hard by graduation — losing its top-four rushers, starting quarterback and top-three receivers — Whitman will be counted on to take on a bigger role in 2025. He caught six passes for 58 yards and a touchdown last season and added four carries out of the backfield.

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CVAC football watchlist: Returning standouts to follow in 2025

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