You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in the Cape Ann League harder to deal with in the open field than Jack Sullivan.
Every time he touched the ball, he averaged a first down.
He routinely made defenders look ridiculous in the process.
Sullivan, the 2023 Daily News Football Player of the Year, was impressive in leading Newburyport to its best season in at least two decades. The senior captain helped lead the Clippers (9-2) to a CAL Kinney title, the program’s first home win since 2017, a Division 5 quarterfinals, and — arguably most importantly — a win over archrival Amesbury in the annual Thanksgiving No. 100. A game between the two.
Not too bad for a Division I baseball commit at the University of Maine.
For the season, Sullivan’s numbers earned him CAL Kinney MVP honors. He ranked second in the Daily News area in rushing after accumulating 1,195 yards and 15 touchdowns on just 109 carries, which, when you do some simple math, averages out to a ridiculous 11.0 yards per carry. But of course he was also a threat off the field as a receiver, catching 16 passes for 184 yards and 5 more scores. Then he had to step in as a striker for the team in two matches, and completed 8 shots – most of which he scored – successfully.
It was an almost historic campaign.
Newburyport’s single-season rushing record is still held by — get this — Sullivan’s father, Scott Sullivan, a Wall of Fame member who finished with 1,365 yards on 222 carries in 1993. So, for now, Dad still holds the record. But, it’s interesting to think about the numbers Jack would have finished with had he gotten 113 more carries to match.
In fact, we don’t have to think.
Obviously it would be difficult to maintain an average of 11.0 per carry for double the bags. But, for the sake of argument, if Jack had maintained that pace for 222 carries to match his father, he would have broken the record with 2,442 yards.
But let’s go back to what the younger Sullivan accomplished this season.
The 100th annual Thanksgiving Day game stands out historically, and Sullivan was almost used as the “closer” that day to help Newburyport win 44-26. The majority of his 13 touchdowns came in the second half when the Clippers were looking to drop the hammer and ice it, and he finished with 93 all-purpose yards, a touchdown and a pair of two-point conversions.
Then there was the Division 5 first-round game against Auburn, where the Clippers dominated from start to finish to win 35-0. Sullivan broke away with a 91-yard scoring drive in the first quarter to set the tone, and would finish with 149 yards and two TDs on just eight carries. He added 226 all-purpose yards and 3 TDs on 17 touches in a 49-41 shootout win over North Reading, and had 8 touches, 110 yards and 4 TDs in a 42-0 shutout of Triton to bring the Border Battle Cup back to Main Street.
However, Sullivan’s best game was against Pentucket, when he had 16 carries for 166 yards and 3 TDs, 23 passing yards and 4 successful PATs in a 34-14 victory. He added 121 yards and a TD on just four carries in a win over Ipswich, and started the season with 7 sacks, 141 yards and 3 total TDs in a win over Essex Tech.
And there’s no rest for this three-sport star.
Sullivan has traded in his skates for skates, and will now try to help the hockey team get back to the Division 2 quarterfinals this year — and hopefully go even further. The D1 Black Bear commit will then return to the diamond in the spring. Last year, the shortstop was named a Daily News All-Star after hitting .351 (26-for-74) with 27 runs scored and 13 RBI.
Aiden Donovan
Amesbury, Sr., OL/LB
He finished his remarkable career with a two-time Daily News All-Star selection, a two-time All-CAL selection, and a one-time CAL Baker Lineman of the Year (2022). CAL Baker MVP Award this fall. The four-cap captain led Amesbury (9-3) to the Section 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. Part of a fearsome O-Line that pushed the Redhawks to 3,567 rushing yards for the season on 547 carries (6.5 per rush). He helped the offense average 34.3 points per game. Relentless drive. He had a more dominant year at the quarterback position. He led the team in tackles by a wide margin with 93 (closest to 58). There were also 5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble recorded. There was an 18-yard interception and a touchdown in the sectional. 7 1st round win over Wahconah, where he also made 9 tackles. Also we have a Daily News Outdoor Track MVP Award and a two-time Daily News Indoor Track All-Star Award. He will continue his professional career (throwing: shot put, discus) at Division 1 UMass Amherst.
Will Arsenault
Amesbury, Sr., OL/LB
He finished his high school career as a two-time Daily News All-Star, a two-time All-CAL selection, and a one-time CAL Baker Lineman of the Year (2022). The powerful 6-foot-1, 230-pounder served as a standout left tackle and inside linebacker. The four-cap captain led Amesbury (9-3) to the Section 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium. Part of a dominant O-Line that pushed the Redhawks to 3,567 rushing yards on 547 carries for the season (6.5 per rush), he averaged 34.3 points per game offensively. He ranked second on the team defensively with 58 tackles. Added 3 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Recorded a team-high 11 tackles in the division. 7 First round win over Wahconah. He will continue his football career at Western New England University. He was a CAL All-Star player for the baseball team last spring who hit .329 (26-for-79) with 21 RBI.
Michael Sanchez
Amesbury, Sr., RB/DB
He finished his electric career as a two-time Daily News All-Star, and also earned All-CAL nod this fall. He led the area in rushing with 1,419 yards on 229 carries (6.2 per sack). He caught 18 touchdowns and added 19 more two-point conversions to lead the area in scoring. He helped Amesbury (9-3) reach the Division 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium and finished as runner-up in the state. The main cog behind the offense’s 34.3 points per game. He had a team-high 89 receiving yards with a 48-yard TD in the Super Bowl against Uxbridge. Exploded for 11 carries, 205 yards and four TDs against Ipswich. He piled up 145 yards and two TDs against Essex Tech, and another 145 yards and two TDs against Hamilton-Wenham. In four playoff games, he had 364 yards on 57 carries with 6 TDs. Also added were 28 tackles, 5 pass breakups and 2 defensive interceptions. He was both a Daily News indoor and outdoor track all-star last year, and was the Section VI state 400-meter champion in the spring (49.91).
Max Sanchez
Amesbury, Sr., RB/DB
She enjoyed an outstanding senior year earning All-CAL nod. He helped Amesbury (9-3) reach the Division 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium and finished as runner-up in the state. Incredibly, he still ranks fourth in the area with 966 yards on 93 carries (10.4 per sack) despite missing five games with a hand injury. Definition of a great player. He did most of his damage in Div. 7 playoffs, where over four games he piled up 616 yards on 52 carries with 9 total touchdowns for one of the greatest individual runs in recent memory. He had 154 yards on 13 carries and 3 TDs in the first round win over Wahconah. Followed by 191 yards and 2 TDs against West Bridgewater in the quarterfinals, and a huge performance of 12 carries, 222 yards and 3 TDs against Cohasset in the semifinals. He hauled in a 48-yard TD pass against Uxbridge in the Super Bowl. Daily inside scoop on last winter’s All-Stars.
Jack Sherman
Newburyport, Sr., OL/DL
CAL Kenyan Defensive Player of the Year. The coaches called him “one of the best defensive players we’ve ever coached.” He finished with 43 tackles and a team-high 9 sacks. The team captain led Newburyport (9-2) to the CAL Kinney title and the Division 5 quarterfinals. He also played an integral role in helping the Clippers beat archrival Amesbury, 44-26, in the 100th annual Thanksgiving game between the two, hitting 4 Tackles and a sack while recovering a fumble. He had 6 tackles and a sack against Bedford, 5 tackles and a sack against both Ipswich and Pentucket, and 4 tackles and a sack against Essex Tech, Linfield and North Reading. 4 more tackles in Auburn’s 37-0 shutout in sectional. 5 first round. Also an anchor all season on the offensive line. He helped Newburyport average 32.6 ppg offensively.
Shawn Miles
Newburyport, Sr., QB
His two-year rookie season was cut short by an ACL injury, but he came back with a vengeance in 2023. He completed 95 of 151 passes (62.9%) for 1,233 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also became stronger as a runner as the season went on, gaining 164 receiving yards and 5 more TDs on the year. The team captain helped lead Newburyport (9-2) to the CAL Kinney title and the Division V quarterfinals. He had one of his best games in a 35-0 win over Auburn in the division. 5 first round pick, completing 10 of 14 passes for 209 yards and 3 TDs while also adding 62 receiving yards. The victory was Newburyport’s first home playoff win since 2017. He threw for 109 yards, rushed for 34 yards and had 4 total TDs in a 49-41 shootout win over North Reading. She went 14 of 18 for 191 yards and 3 TDs in a Border Battle blowout of Triton, 42-0. Another 14-of-17, 196-yard, 3-TD performance in a win over Hamilton-Wenham. Strong arm and looking to play at the next level.
Caleb Misner
Pentucket, Sr., QB
The most prolific passerine in the area this fall. He finished completing 63.8% of his passes, going 143-for-224 for 2,083 yards and 18 touchdowns. Also added 190 rushing yards and 4 more TDs. He was named All-CAL following the regular season. Tri-captain led Pentucket (7-4) to a winning record and a massive turnaround after the program had just one win in 2022. He went 14 of 21 for 240 yards and 3 TDs and also rushed for the game-winning score late and in the fourth quarter to beat North Eastern 27-20. He had a monster day against Ipswich, going 12 of 15 for 342 yards and 5 TDs. Strong showing against a tough Newburyport team, going 16 of 29 for 239 yards and a TD. He threw for 193 yards, rushed for 70 yards and had 3 total TDs in the season-opening, 20-14, win over Hamilton-Wenham to open the school’s brand-new stadium. He is also an avid baseball player for the Panthers during the spring season.
Kevin Reiter
Pentucket, Sr., RB/WR/LB
A 5-foot-7, 180-pound player who does it all for Pentucket. He ranked second in the area in receiving (behind teammate Luke Zavaski) with 629 yards on 35 catches and 8 touchdowns, and also rushed for 184 yards on 31 carries for another score. Team leader in tackles who helped the defense allow just 18.7 points per game. The Tri-captain led Pentucket (7-4) to a winning record after the program had just one win in 2022. He had 74 rushing yards and hauled in a 26-yard TD in a 21-7 victory on Thanksgiving over rival Triton. He caught the game-winning touchdown against Greater Lawrence. He hauled in 5 passes for 106 yards and a TD and also had 30 rushing yards in the win over Northeast. His biggest game came against Ipswich, where he had 76 and 91-yard TDs to ultimately end his day with 203 all-purpose yards. Another 147 yards on 6 catches with a TD against a tough Newburyport team.
Jayden Torres
Tritton Jr., RB/DB
His impressive combination of power running and speed was honored with an All-CAL selection. He rushed for 1,020 yards on 157 carries (6.5 per) and 10 touchdowns despite missing two games. Also added is a TD receiver and pick 6 from his safety position. He helped Triton (5-6) remain competitive in the league despite significant roster turnover and welcoming new coach Paul Sobolevski. The workhorse carried her 30 times for 140 yards and two TDs in a win over Hamilton-Wenham. He had 20 carries for 136 yards and 2 TDs in a win over Essex Tech, and 171 all-purpose yards on just 9 touches with 3 total TDs in a win over Ipswich. He accounted for the only TD of the game and had 150 yards on 25 carries in a 10-0 win over Manchester Essex. He made a 74-yard TD run against Pentucket on Thanksgiving to reach 1,000 yards for the season. He will be the favorite to win next year’s Daily News district title.
Honorary
Amesbury — Christian McGary, Sr., TE/RB/DL; Danny Hutchings, Sr., OL/DL; Kyle Palin, Sr., OL/DL; Justin Dube, will, QB
Newburyport — Angus “Gus” Webster, Sr., RB/WR/LB; Logan Jones, Sr., WR/DB; Cade Bisolano, Sr., OL/LB; Colin Fuller Jr., QB/RB/WR/DB; Sam Craig Jr., WR/DB
Quintet — Manny Gasca, Sr., RB/LB; Braeden Irvin, Sr., OL/LB; Bryson Marty, Sr., OL/DL; Luke Zavasky Jr., WR/DB
Triton — Liam Londergan, Sr., RB/DB; Ryan Nolan, Sr., TE/DE; Ricky Stanley, Sr., WR/S; Liam Freis Jr., WR/DB/K
The 2023 Daily News Football All-Stars have been announced, and among the standout players is Sullivan from Newburyport. His sensational performance on the field has set him apart as one of the top players in the league. With his impressive skills and dedication to the sport, Sullivan has earned his place among the All-Stars, showcasing his talent and contributing to his team’s success. Let’s take a closer look at Sullivan’s accomplishments and the impact he has made on the football field.