Bedford’s Helton named the 2025 Yukica Football Player of the Year

Brody Helton has been named Thursday as the 2025 Yukica Player of the Year as the top high school football player from New Hampshire.

Helton, a senior from Bedford High School, finished ahead of two other finalists, Nashua South’s Cody Jackson and Souhegan’s RylandRaudelunas, in a vote of NHIAA head coaches and members of the state’s football media.

“Helton … the kid’s special,” Londonderry coach Jimmy Lauzon said. “His cuts are great and he has the ability to make you miss. He doesn’t have breakaway speed, but he has every other attribute you’re looking for in a running back. He can take over a game at any point.”

Helton, a running back/linebacker, has helped the Bulldogs to an 11-0 record and a spot in the Division I championship, where they will face Pinkerton at 1 p.m. Saturday at Stellos Stadium in Nashua.

So far this season, Helton has run for 1,500 yards and 17 touchdowns on 162 carries, and has 15 receptions for 178 yards and a TD. He has also recorded 64 tackles (three sacks) and
returned an interception for a touchdown.