After last fall’s thrilling 2021 high school football season, it’s time to hand out postseason awards and name the Providence Journal 2021 All-State Football Team.
Players named to the first team will also be honored at the year-end All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards, which are presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island. These players are all nominated for Offensive Player of the Year. During the live broadcast, three finalists will be announced before an award winner is named. The live broadcast is produced with support from the Rhode Island Student Loan Authority.
All first-team members are eligible to receive a free ticket to the All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards. Please check the Providence Journal website later in the year for updates and how to RSVP for the show.
The All-State Rhode Island High School Sports Awards, presented by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, are part of the USA TODAY High School Sports Awards, the nation’s largest high school sports recognition program.
In addition to first-team names and bios, you can also check out our Providence Journal All State second-team picks below.
Providence Journal All-State Football
first team
OFFENSE
Dean Varrecchione
La Salle, junior
Strategist
Varrecchione led La Salle’s offense to perfection this fall and one can only imagine what his numbers would look like had he played full games throughout the season. The left-handed junior threw for 2,123 yards and 27 touchdowns this fall and is expected to attract interest from Division I college programs this summer. This is his first All-State appearance.
Jamezell Lassiter
La Salle, junior
To recover
One look is enough to realize Lassiter’s talent. The junior was sensational in La Salle’s backfield, threatening to score every time he touched the ball. Lassiter finished his year with 1,103 yards and eight touchdowns and his blend of speed, quickness and agility mixed with a powerful running style makes him a player to watch for next season.
Zack Tuck
West, Junior
To recover
When it comes to big games, no one had more than Tuck. He rushed for more than 200 yards in four games this season and finished the year with 1,791 yards – at a clip of 8.22 yards per carry – to go with 22 touchdowns, including scoring 97 yards throughout. the season. It’s his first All-State appearance and, with a year to go, it may not be his last.
Marquis Buchanan
Classic, Senior
Wide receiver and kick return
What else should be said? Gatorade player of the year. Future URI Ram. Super Bowl champion. Future URI Ram. Buchanan had 63 catches for 1,143 yards for the Purple this season to go with 399 rushing yards and eight scores along with two return touchdowns. This is Buchanan’s third straight All-State selection and second as a first team.
Tyler Poirier
Narragansett, Senior
wide receiver
Narragansett spread the ball as well as anyone in Rhode Island, but that didn’t stop Poirier from dominating hard. The main receiver caught 42 passes for an impressive 948 yards and 17 touchdowns. More importantly, Poirier got the one thing he and the Mariners wanted — a Division III Super Bowl victory.
Brady Fischer
La Salle, junior
tight end
Fischer is the perfect modern tight toe. His size and speed make him too big for your average defensive back and too fast for a linebacker. Fischer was a solid blocker in La Salle’s running game, but he feasted as a receiver. The junior had 15 catches for 346 yards and five touchdowns, including two touchdowns over 80 yards in the playoffs.
Judah Varfley
Central, senior
Athlete
He had only been a nominal quarterback, but once Varfley took over under center, the Knights’ offense changed completely. Varfley was as good a running back as any in Rhode Island, rushing for more than 1,100 yards on 90 carries to go with 14 touchdowns, and made his All-State team debut in the utility spot.
Levi Dunner
La Salle, senior
offensive line
You need an average streak to play on the offensive line and Dunner has played with it all season for the Rams. He didn’t just make blocks, he finished them. From protecting his quarterback in the passing game to opening up holes in the running game, Dunner has done everything exceptionally well throughout the season.
Jordy Fernandez
Central, senior
offensive line
There wasn’t a more athletic offensive lineman in Rhode Island this fall. Once the Knights established their run-first approach, Fernandez’s talents shone. When he blocked, it sent shivers down the spines of linebackers across the state, and Fernandez ended the year with more pancakes than an IHOP.
Nathan Field
North Kingstown, senior
offensive line
The Skippers line has gone from works in progress to one of the best in the state and that’s largely because of Field’s play. A 6-foot-4, 295-pound giant, Field was the state’s top pass blocker, but was hardly a one-trick pony. He and his fellow linemen’s run blocking were crucial in the Skippers’ Division I Super Bowl victory.
Mitchell McLeod
West, Junior
offensive line
Westerly has a long history of producing All-State linemen and McLeod has kept the tradition alive. At 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, the junior could do it all up front. He kept his quarterback’s blindside safe from his left tackle spot and, in the running game, the last thing you wanted to see was McLeod coming at you with a head full of steam.
Neighborhood Devin
Tolman, senior
offensive line
It was a bit of a slow start to the season for Ward, but it’s no coincidence that as he began to dominate up front, the Tigers started winning games. At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Ward was the most physically dominant tackle in the state and earned his third All-State finish, his second on the first team.
Matt Whitney
North Kingstown, senior
Kicker
Whitney was a weapon in the kicking game. Touchbacks were his standard and he was automatic when the Skippers needed points. He scored a field goal against Portsmouth, went 40 long and hit 24 of 25 extra points, with his only failure coming when he kicked with a torn ACL in the playoffs – then did his next three kicks after that.
Following: Introducing the Providence Journal’s All-State Preseason Second Football Team
Following: The Spring 2021 Providence Journal All-State First and Second Team Picks are here
second team
Offense
QB – Eddie Buehler, North Kingstown, junior
RB – Marcus Carpenter, Ponaganset, senior
RB – Reider Fry, Narragansett, senior
WR — Dimetri Iafrate, La Salle, senior
WR – Luke Marley, Westerly, senior
TE—Nate Amrad, South Kingstown, senior
OL – Khamari Brown, Saint-Raphaël, second year
OL – Kody Khiv, Mount Pleasant, senior
OL — Alex Morin, Hendriken, junior
OL – Lawrence Thornton III, Saint-Raphaël, junior
OL — Rushaune Vilane, Hendriken, junior
Special teams
K—Matt Brock, Hendriken, junior
P — Anilton Semedo, Shea, senior
KR — Alex Pinheiro, Pilgrim, junior
