Welcome to the 2025 Baseball POTY delivered by Verizon Business!

Welcome to the 2024 Mr. Football delivered by Hungry Howie's! Check out this weeks update!

We are thrilled to announce the winner of the prestigious STATE CHAMPS! Mr. Football Award, delivered by Hungry Howie’s! Congratulations to Bryce Underwood, who has earned this incredible honor with his outstanding performance during the 2024 football season. Thank you to all the nominees for an amazing season!

Thanks again to a great partner of State Champs! Network – Hungry Howie’s
We are thrilled to announce the final four nominees for the prestigious STATE CHAMPS! Mr. Football Award, delivered by Hungry Howie’s!
We’ll reveal the winner shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 Football State Finals
Stay tuned to see who will take home this incredible honor!  
 
 
Thanks again to a great partner of State Champs! Network – Hungry Howie’s
The 2025 High School Baseball Award process:
 

To vote, you will need to provide your EMAIL ADDRESS. Select the candidate that you believe is having the best year in High School Baseball and cast your vote!! If you want to vote more than once, please refresh your browser. Enter in your EMAIL ADDRESS again to cast another vote! Voting is limited to 1 vote every 24 hours. THE ONLINE VOTE WINNER IS AUTOMATICALLY IN THE FINAL 4 AND ACCOUNTS FOR 20% OF THE CRITERIA THAT WILL HELP DETERMINE THE 4 SEMI-FINALISTS!

By voting in the contest, you agree to allow State Champs! Network and its affiliates to update you via email about news, sports events and special offers.

The criteria that will be used to select the Baseball POTY Award:

30% – Performance Throughout Season
20% – Level of Competition
20% – Online Vote
15% – Big Game Performance
10% – Team Success
5% – Highly Recruited Prospect

Throughout the season, we will be updating player statistics and adding new candidates into the contest as their actual play and performance merits, with a goal of keeping the ten best players on the board. In early-June we will close online voting and select our final four candidates. The final award selection and presentation will take place after the Baseball Finals with all of our friends at Verizon Business!
 

Please check out State Champs! Network content on the following platforms:

 
Thanks again to a great partner of State Champs! Network – Verizon Business
Bryce Underwood
(Belleville 6-3, 205 QB Sr.)
Committed to Michigan, Underwood is already one of the MHSAA's GOATs at the quarterback position and is hoping to cement his shiny legacy with a third state crown for the Tigers before leaving for Baton Rouge in the winter. Last season, he threw for 3,331 yards and 41 touchdowns for the state runner-up in Division 1 and is the No. 1 prep field general in the U.S. right now.

Belleville (10-2)
Last Week Results:
Regional Final; 35-21 loss to Detroit Catholic Central
Season Stats: 2,223 yards passing, 32 TDs, 754 yards rushing 17 TDs
Bryson Williams
(Orchard Lake St. Mary's 6-2, 195 WR Sr.)
Committed to Michigan State, Williams is a rangy, athletic and intelligent split end that beats opposing cornerbacks with his quicks, his smarts and timely playmaking. He is the Catholic League's No. 1 rated wide receiver entering the 2024 campaign, highlighting a St. Mary's lineup littered with DI college recruits from top to bottom grade-wise. Williams is one of three future MSU Spartans on the Eaglets '24 roster along with tight end Jayden Savoury and linebacker Charles "D.J." White.

OLSM (10-3)
Last Week Results:
Final 4; 28-27 OT win over Groves
Season Stats: 92 yard KO return for TD, 12 TD receptions 1,067 yards receiving), 6 rushing TD (488 yards on ground)
Elliott Larner
(DeWitt 6-0, 185 QB Sr.)
Committed to Michigan Tech, Larner is a doozy of a dual-threat dynamo, wowing fans in the Lansing area with his arm and his feet. His No. 1 target in the pass game is his twin brother Abram, who is committed to Grand Valley State for his college pigskin. So far this season, Larner has stuffed the stat sheet for 674 yards passing and 955 yards rushing and a total of 23 touchdowns. In Week 4, he broke the DeWitt single-game rushing record with 279 yards and 5 scores on the ground.

DeWitt (12-1)
Last Week Results:
Final 4; 32-20 loss to Zeeland West
Season Stats: 2,187 yards passing, 33 TDs (1 pick), 1,898 yards rushing 25 TDs
Jaden Pydyn
(Det. Catholic Central 6-2, 200 Sr. RB/LB/S)
Committed to Army for football and baseball, Pydyn is a force of nature on both sides of the ball on the gridiron, imposing his will rushing the rock and relentlessly chasing down ball carriers. Last season, he played quarterback. This fall, he's the Shamrocks No. 1 option in the run game and led undefeated CC (9-0) to a Catholic League title. During the spring, he plays centerfield for the Catholic Central diamond-cutters and is being scouted for the 2025 MLB Draft.

Catholic Central (12-1)
Last Week Results:
Final 4; 17-14 loss to Cass Tech
Season Stats: 1,265 yards rushing, 25 TDs (82 tackles from safety)
Blake Ilitch
(Brother Rice High School, RHP)
Ranked as the top player in Michigan's Class of 2025, Ilitch has committed to Duke University. His dominant performances on the mound, characterized by a high-velocity fastball and effective off-speed pitches, have solidified his standing.
Ty Finkbeiner
(Anchor Bay High School, RHP)
Holding the second spot in the state rankings, Finkbeiner has committed to the University of Michigan. His consistent ability to overpower hitters with his pitching arsenal has earned him this position.
Ryan Bosch
(Fruitport High School, LHP)
Ranked fourth in Michigan, Bosch has committed to Wake Forest University. His impressive left-handed pitching, including a strong fastball and sharp breaking ball, has been pivotal in his high ranking.
Chris Worley
(Grand Blanc High School, RHP)
Positioned seventh in the state rankings, Worley has committed to Notre Dame. His performances have showcased a powerful fastball and the ability to control games from the mound.
Slade Moore
(West Bloomfield High School, LHP/OF)
Ranked sixth in Michigan, Moore has demonstrated versatility as both a pitcher and outfielder. His live arm, with a fastball consistently in the upper 80s, and his projectable frame contribute to his high ranking.
Luke LaCourse
(Bay City Western High School, RHP)
Holding the ninth spot in the state rankings, LaCourse has committed to Michigan State University. His consistent performances and ability to deliver in high-pressure situations have been noteworthy.
Ethan Armstrong
(Garden City High School, RHP/3B)
A standout in the Class of 2026, Armstrong has committed to the University of Michigan. Standing at 6'2" and weighing 199 lbs, he has been recognized as Michigan's top-ranked player in his class. His prowess both on the mound and at the plate has garnered significant attention.
Hudson Brzustewicz
(Orchard Lake St. Mary's, SS/3B)
Also from the Class of 2026, Brzustewicz has committed to Notre Dame. At 6'2" and 195 lbs, he is known for his powerful left-handed bat and versatility in the infield. His contributions have been instrumental in his team's successes.
Cole Duhaime
(Brother Rice High School, LHP)
​Cole Duhaime is a left-handed pitcher (LHP) for Brother Rice High School in the class of 2026. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 152 pounds, Duhaime possesses a tall, athletic frame with significant potential for physical development.
Uli Fernsler
(Novi High School, LHP)
Uli Fernsler is a left-handed pitcher (LHP) for the Novi High School Wildcats in Michigan, class of 2025. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds, Fernsler has demonstrated significant pitching prowess. He has a fastball in the low 90’s.
Broder Katke
(Brother Rice High School, C/3B)
A member of the Class of 2027, Katke has already committed to Duke University. Standing at 6'1" and weighing 193 lbs, he possesses a strong athletic build. His defensive skills behind the plate are complemented by a powerful right-handed bat, making him a notable prospect in Michigan.

VOTE NOW!