The New York State Sportswriters Association announced its large-school all-state football teams Wednesday, and Jamestown was well-represented with six selections, including the Class A co-Player of the Year Jaylen Butera. P-J file photo by Tim Frank

SYRACUSE — Upon arrival at the parking lot adjacent to Strider Field, visitors are greeted by football-shaped plaques that hang from the back of the bleachers, displaying the jersey numbers of the 26 first-team all-state players who have tugged on helmets and shoulder pads for the Jamestown High School program through the years.

After Wednesday’s announcement by the New York State Sportswriters Association, the JHS athletic department will have to make room for two more.

Seniors Jaylen Butera and Ben Anderson are the newest members of that select first-team fraternity, while several teammates also received all-state recognition for their efforts in a season that saw the Red Raiders finish 12-1 and earn Class A South, Section VI and Far West Regional titles.

“Now that our season is over and the team goals are done for the year, it’s always nice to get the individual awards,” Jamestown head coach Tom Langworthy said.

Butera, a running back, was the recipient of the NYSSWA’s highest honor when he was named the Class A co-Player of the Year with East Islip quarterback Derek Burrell.

The New York State Sportswriters Association announced its large-school all-state football teams Wednesday, and Jamestown was well-represented with six selections, including Ben Anderson, first team. P-J file photo by Tim Frank

“You never know how the voting is going to go,” Langworthy said, “so it’s really special that other people that don’t necessarily know him as much got to see the talent and recognized the ability and special player he is.”

Since his season ended nearly two months ago, the 6-foot-2, 196-pounder has been named the Connolly Cup winner — presented annually to the outstanding football player in Western New York — The Buffalo News Player of the Year and The Post-Journal Player of the Year for the second time in eight months.

The NYSSWA honor puts Butera in select company, joining past Red Raider greats David Hinson (1994) and Aaron Leeper (2000), who were both members of New York State Public High School Athletic Association championship teams. The fact Butera’s career ended in the state semifinals in November, however, didn’t prevent him from reaching the top of the NYSSWA heap.

The numbers don’t lie.

Last fall, Butera set school records for rushing yards in a season (2,337) and in a career (4,270); scored 45 touchdowns, which is two off the school mark; and caught 20 passes. Defensively, he registered 90 tackles, recorded five interceptions and defended 20 more as a defensive back.

The New York State Sportswriters Association announced its large-school all-state football teams Wednesday, and Jamestown was well-represented with six selections, including Sean O’Brien, second team. P-J file photo by Tim Frank

That special season has drawn scholarship offers from Buffalo, Stony Brook, New Hampshire, Wagner, Seton Hill and Mercyhurst.

Butera wasn’t the only Red Raider to turn heads last fall.

Anderson, a linebacker, registered a school-record 170 tackles, including 35 for loss, and recorded 10 sacks. His tackle total eclipsed the previous mark held by Stephen Carlson, who is now a tight end with the Cleveland Browns. Offensively, Anderson rushed for 623 yards and scored six touchdowns.

“He’s got such a great combination of skills,” Langworthy said. “He’s so fast, he’s so smart and he’s so physical. When you add those things together, you get one heck of a player.”

Anderson is also a fine student and was named the Western New York Scholar Athlete of the Year.

The New York State Sportswriters Association announced its large-school all-state football teams Wednesday, and Jamestown was well-represented with six selections, including Colin Melendez, honorable mention. P-J file photo by Tim Frank

“His goal every Friday night is for the team to be successful,” Langworthy said. “Ben Anderson is just a model Red Raider.

“You could say the same with all the guys on that (all-state) list.”

Other Red Raiders recognized by the NYSSWA yesterday were junior linebacker Sean O’Brien, who was named to the second team; and senior linemen Joey Delgado and Julian McGaughy, and junior punter Colin Melendez, who were honorable-mention selections.

“I love Sean O’Brien’s game,” Langworthy said. “He’s physical, tough, blue-collar and hard-nosed. He brings it every Friday night. You love guys like that.”

O’Brien finished second on the team in tackles with 134, including 18 for loss, to go along with 14 sacks.

The New York State Sportswriters Association announced its large-school all-state football teams Wednesday, and Jamestown was well-represented with six selections, including Julian McGaughy, honorable mention. P-J file photo by Tim Frank

Delgado and McGaughy anchored both offensive and defensive lines.

“Our line was a special line,” Langworthy said. “It was a group that was not only talented, but they were very close. It’s great to see the line represented on that (all-state) list. Joey and Julian were a big part of our success. I look at them being on it as a reflection of the entire line. They were certainly the backbone of the team.”

Finally, the sure-handed and sure-footed Melendez didn’t have to punt a lot, but when he did so it was almost always effective as he averaged 33.3 yards per boot and often flipped field position in Jamestown’s favor. Offensively, Melendez caught 19 passes for 262 yards and a touchdown.

“To recap the season, it was a championship season,” Langworthy said. ” … It was one of our best seasons in our 128-year history. You look at the long-term goals in our program and they are to become men of character, to make lifelong memories and to build relationships for life, and I think we did all three things.”

The New York State Sportswriters Association announced its large-school all-state football teams Wednesday, and Jamestown was well-represented with six selections, including Joey Delgado, honorable mention. P-J file photo by Tim Frank