Benedictine senior wide receiver Bubba Frazier has been named the winner of the 45th Michael Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player Award, given to Savannah’s top high school football player.
The award is voted on by the 14 head football coaches, private and public, in Chatham County, along with local media from the Savannah Morning News sports department, sports directors from WJCL, WTOC, WSAV, and the Prep Sports Report. Frazier topped a field of 37 nominees and became the 14th player from Benedictine Military School to earn the honor.
Chris “Bubba” Frazier completed the regular season with 36 receptions for 602 yards and 10 touchdowns. He added 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries and finished with 1,068 all-purpose yards and 14 total touchdowns in nine games, as Benedictine played just nine regular-season games. Frazier impacted games as a receiver, runner, and returner, providing consistent production throughout the season and serving as one of the Cadets’ most dangerous playmakers. Frazier is committed to playing college football at the University of Notre Dame.
The Michael Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player Award is Savannah–Chatham County’s highest individual high school football honor. The award was created in 1976 by Michael “Mike” Finocchiaro, a Benedictine Military School alumnus and avid Savannah sports enthusiast who wanted a Heisman Trophy–style honor specifically for Chatham County high school football players.
The award recognizes the most outstanding football player in the county each season, based on regular-season performance, regardless of school, and winners are selected by votes from Chatham County public and private school head coaches and local media from the Savannah Morning News, sports directors from WJCL, WSAV, WTOC, and the Prep Sports Report. After a brief hiatus from 2010–15, the award was revived and remains a cornerstone of Savannah’s prep football tradition.
Bethesda Academy receiver Ralo Wesley finished as the runner-up, with Jenkins' Demetrius Holloway Jr., Ryan Scott, and Savannah Christian’s Blaise Thomas also among the top vote-getters. As Benedictine continues its playoff run, Frazier remains a key player for a team chasing a Class 4A state championship.
Michael Finocchiaro Memorial Outstanding Football Player Award Winners
- 2025 — Bubba Frazier, Benedictine
- 2024 — Ra'Shawn Truell, New Hampstead
- 2023 — Jake Merklinger, Calvary Day; Ra'Shawn Truell, New Hampstead
- 2022 — Pauly Seeley, New Hampstead
- 2021 — Justin Thomas, Benedictine
- 2020 — Justin Thomas, Benedictine; Spencer Robicheaux, Savannah Christian
- 2019 — Ronald Cooper III, Jenkins
- 2018 — Jakeen Harris, Benedictine
- 2017 — Javonte Middleton, Jenkins
- 2016 — Wesley Kennedy, Benedictine
- 2010–15 — No winner
- 2009 — Chris Barnwell, Savannah Christian
- 2008 — Chris Barnwell, Savannah Christian
- 2007 — Franklin Green, Jenkins
- 2006 — Franklin Green, Jenkins
- 2005 — Demarcus Dobbs, Calvary Day
- 2004 — Jonathan Armstrong, Groves
- 2003 — Sage Glasper, Groves
- 2002 — Joey Boaen, Savannah Country Day
- 2001 — Joey Boaen, Savannah Country Day
- 2000 — Lamar Owens, Benedictine
- 1999 — Craig Thomas, Calvary Day
- 1998 — Jamaal Argrow, Benedictine
- 1997 — Walter Simmons, Benedictine
- 1996 — Prince Jonson, Beach
- 1995 — Patrick Smith, Benedictine
- 1994 — Vinson Cooper, Groves
- 1993 — Mede Lewis, Savannah High
- 1992 — Bill Sparks, Savannah Country Day
- 1991 — JJ Mobley, Beach
- 1990 — Marcel Cooper, Groves
- 1989 — Daryl Wall, Windsor Forest
- 1988 — Stanley Smart, Beach
- 1987 — Keith Jones, Savannah High
- 1986 — Corey Ladson, Tompkins
- 1985 — Tim Smart, Groves
- 1984 — Peter Brennan, Benedictine
- 1983 — Stephen Jones, Jenkins
- 1982 — Jack McCollum, Jenkins
- 1981 — Joel Carter, Benedictine
- 1980 — Harry South, Benedictine
- 1979 — J.J. Young, Groves
- 1978 — Chris McCarthy, Benedictine
- 1977 — Randy Lanier, Benedictine
- 1976 — Tommy Cupstid, Windsor Forest
Photo Credit: Courtesy Benedictine Military School Communication Department
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