Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2022 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence in addition to local and state accolades.
Micah Ford of
Toms River North (Toms River) is the 2022 MaxPreps New Jersey High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 210-pound junior quarterback and defensive back led the Mariners to a 14-0 record and Group 5 state title.
Ford dominated on both sides of the ball, throwing for 1,203 yards and 17 touchdowns to
go with 2,360 yards rushing and 33 more scores. Defensively, he racked
up 77 tackles, nine tackles for loss and four interceptions.
Toms River North became the first school in state history to finish a season 14-0. The Mariners also broke the state scoring record with 660 points.
In a 28-7 win over Passaic County Tech (Wayne) in the Group 5 championship game, Ford completed 6 of 7 pass attempts for 117 yards and threw for three first half scores. In a 42-14 win over Edison in the semifinals, he rushed for 291 yards and had six total touchdowns.
Toms River North outscored opponents by an average margin of 38.9 points per game and won 13 of 14 contests by double digits.
Ford has landed three FBS offers, including Maryland and West Virginia. Expect more to come.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps New Jersey Players of the Year2020 – Audric Estime, RB, St. Joseph Regional (Montvale)
2021 – Jaeden Gould, CB, Bergen Catholic (Oradell)
New Jersey MaxPreps POY Micah Ford accounted for 3,563 total yards and 50 touchdowns this season. (Photo: Catalina Fragoso)
