Vote on the greatest prep football player in Section 4 history

Section 4 high school football has featured some of the nation's most successful programs, along with transcendent players whose achievements have made them legends in their communities.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary this summer and the USA TODAY Network recognizes top athletes from across the country, we are taking a look at the most impactful prep football players to come through New York's Southern Tier.

This is your opportunity to make the ultimate call on the greatest football player in Section 4 history.

Fans can vote from this list of five players whittled down from thousands who have starred on Section 4 fields. We realize lists like this are subjective, particularly in a team sport such as football that has schools of various sizes, and offer you an opportunity to write in your selection as the best of the best.

Readers can find the poll online at stargazette.com.

Selections are based primarily on high school football achievements, records, team contributions, and the level of talent on display. College and professional accomplishments were also taken into consideration.

Our five top picks, in alphabetical order.

1. Ernie Davis, Running Back, Elmira Free Academy

Elmira native Ernie Davis with the Heisman Trophy he won in 1961 as the nation's outstanding college football player.

Davis was dubbed the Elmira Express by Star-Gazette sports writer Al Mallette while starring at Elmira Free Academy. That nickname lives on through Elmira High School's mascot and was the inspiration for the title of the 2008 movie "The Express" that was based on Davis' life.

He initially played offensive and defensive end at EFA before moving to halfback as a junior.

Davis ended up playing 13 games at running back in 1956 and '57, finishing with 1,314 yards on 179 carries, an average of 7.4 yards per attempt. He scored 21 touchdowns. He was also a hoops star, leading EFA to a 52-game winning streak.

The 1958 EFA graduate went on to star at Syracuse University, where he helped the Orange to a national championship in 1959 and won the Heisman Trophy as college football's top player in 1961.

Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 1962 NFL draft, died of leukemia in May of 1963 at age 23.

2. Chandler Jones, Defensive Line/Offensive End, Union-Endicott

Dec 24, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones (55) sacks Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during the first quarter at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports

Chandler Jones ranks among the top-50 in career sacks in the NFL, piling up 112 from 2012 to 2022 with the New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, and Las Vegas Raiders. He led the league with 17 in 2017 and had 19 two years later. Jones was part of New England's win over Seattle in Super Bowl 49.

Prior to pursuing NFL quarterbacks, Jones was a menace against Section 4 foes while helping the Tigers win three consecutive sectional championships from 2005 to 2007.

He earned first-team Class AA all-state honors as a senior, leading a defense that held opponents to 14.4 points per game while averaging 17.4 yards per catch as a receiver.

Jones starred at Syracuse University before being selected in the first round of the 2011 draft by the Patriots.

Chandler is part of one of the most accomplished brother trios in American sports history. His brother Jon Jones is widely considered to be the greatest UFC fighter of all time, and their late brother Arthur was a Super Bowl-winning lineman with the Baltimore Ravens.

3. DaQuan Jones, Lineman, Johnson City

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 21: Daquan Jones #92 of the Buffalo Bills carries the ball after an interception in the third quarter of the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on December 21, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The NFL credentials of DaQuan Jones are well established, with Jones a starter in 161 of the 167 games he has played over a 12-season career with the Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills.

Jones was an All-Big Ten first-team selection at Penn State before the Titans picked him in the fourth round of the 2014 draft.

But it all started at Johnson City, where Jones was a four-year varsity starter who dominated on the offensive and defensive lines.

His senior season saw Jones rack up 73 tackles, 13 quarterback sacks, and force four fumbles. The 2010 Johnson City graduate earned first-team Class B all-state honors and helped the Wildcats secure a Section 4 title.

The nearly 300-pounder was also a basketball standout in high school, showcasing the athleticism that made him a force in football.

4. Jesse Manuel, Running Back/Safety, Tioga Central

Tioga’s Jesse Manuel zigzags through the Unatego’s defense for a 73-yard run during the Class D Section IV championship game at Ty Cobb Stadium on Friday.

Only one player in New York history, former Onondaga star Michael Hart, has rushed for more yards than 2016 Tioga Central graduate Jesse Manuel.

By the time Manuel was done, he ran for 8,603 yards and scored 125 touchdowns over four seasons for the Tioga County power. His TD total ranked third in New York history.

As a senior, Manuel rushed for 2,885 yards and 45 touchdowns — both Section 4 records — to lead the Tigers to their first state championship and earn Class D Player of the Year honors from the New York State Sports Writers Association.

Beyond his running, Manuel started at safety, returned kickoffs and punts, and was long-snapper for punts, field goals and extra points.

5. Joey Tomasso, Quarterback, Waverly

Waverly quarterback Joey Tomasso finds an open receiver downfield and lets it fly during the Wolverines' 46-26 win over Fonda-Fultonville in the NYSPHSAA Class C football final Dec. 2, 2023 at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.

Joey Tomasso, a 2024 graduate of Waverly High, easily outdistances every other quarterback to suit up for a Section 4 team in nearly every passing category.

He passed for 9,183 yards and 104 touchdowns for the Wolverines, putting him in the top-five in New York state history in both categories. He added 2,144 yards and 43 touchdowns on the ground.

Tomasso's senior season was one for the ages as he earned Class C Player of the Year honors in New York. He completed 206 of 278 passes for 3,160 yards and 43 touchdowns, with only three interceptions.

In a 46-26 win over Fonda-Fultonville in the Class C state championship game, Tomasso passed for 333 yards and 4 touchdowns, and he ran for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns. Making his performance more impressive was Tomasso was still hobbled from a leg injury suffered in the state quarterfinals.

Tomasso is the rare New York athlete to be named first-team all-state in football and basketball. He scored a program-record 1,782 career points in hoops and averaged 30.9 per game during his junior season.

He recently transferred to Colgate after starting his college career at William & Mary.

This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Five candidates for greatest football player in Section 4 history