WEST PALM BEACH – The People’s Champion is usually someone that the majority can relate to the most.

They have seen and felt both the triumphs and challenges of this said individual who has truly earned it all.

In a special MVP poll released yesterday (Jan. 23), you have chosen Cardinal Newman senior athlete Chris Presto as your MVP of the Year in Palm Beach County.

POLL: Who will be our MVP of the Year in the 561?@BrandCampbell5 @91_campbell @CoachHiggins50 @GatorsPbg @fiveblock_ @Clinte103 @ForexxManny @Pahokee_MSHS @ahmadhaston2 @coachhaston1 @CoachT_22 @PBCbroncosFBALL @prestochris23 @JacobyFord12 @JackDan55847282 @CNHS_Athletics

— New Era Prep (@EraPrep) January 23, 2023

Presto (6-foot-2, 204 pounds) spoke about his honor from our fans and viewers.

“It feels amazing,” Presto said. “You know, I think I could’ve had a much better season. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what I did because we had one of the best season in Cardinal Newman history.”

Cardinal Newman finished with a record of 11-1, including its first undefeated regular season in 40 years at 10-0.

With that said, Presto played a large role in his team’s overall success, which ultimately led the Crusaders to winning Team of the Year honors at the Lou Groza Awards Ceremony on Dec. 5, 2022.

Here are Presto’s final statistics from his senior season, which can be called a comeback of sorts:

OFFENSE

•39 receptions

•645 receiving yards

•8 receiving touchdowns

DEFENSE

•3 defensive touchdowns; 2 interceptions returns for touchdowns and 1 fumble recovery for a touchdown

•29 total tackles (6 tackles for loss)

•4 interceptions

Presto’s best individual game was in Week 3 of the regular season, when Cardinal Newman earned a key 36-14 road win over Benjamin that effectively gave his team the District 5-1M title.

In a game that took four days and three tries to complete due to inclement weather, Presto’s first score was on a pass he hauled in from junior quarterback Luke Warnock by following a nice adjustment in the process.

This score happened on a fourth down play.

Cardinal Newman score first, as Luke Warnock (@lukeewarnock) connects with Chris Presto (@prestochris23) for 28 yards.

7-0 Newman | 2:05 1Q@EraPrep pic.twitter.com/h8GRbt8Uq0

— Kevin Fielder 🇫🇮 (@RivalsFielder) September 9, 2022

“We saw the matchup the play before,” said Presto, who was selected by our voters as our MVP of Week 3. “I was running a corner route and Luke threw the ball like a fade route, so I had to adjust and make the play.”

Presto felt that his two scores were clutch, especially the first one. He spoke on the second one as well.

“The last one sealed the deal, and it felt great to know that it was almost over finally after three tries,” Presto said. “The play on that last one was great. Naeshaun [Montgomery] set a pick route and he executed it perfectly, leaving it wide open for me.”

In that game, which was finally finished on Sept. 12, 2022, Presto finished with five catches for 105 yards and the two receiving touchdowns.

“The Benjamin trifecta was the game I needed to do what I did,” Presto said. “I feel like I let my team down last year when we lost to them because I didn’t play.”

Presto overcame a challenging junior year with a senior one to remember. He has the accolades to back that up.

Here is a list of Presto’s honors to date:

•Palm Beach Post All-County First Team Offense

•Sun-Sentinel All-Palm Beach County Second Team Offense

•Team Sports Ministries Men of Character Awards nominee

And with that being said, Presto earned his first scholarship offer from Southern Illinois on October 14, 2022. He took an official visit to the FCS school this past weekend (Jan. 20-22).

Presto spoke about his experience at SIU.

“It’s great up there. I had an amazing time last weekend,” Presto said. “The atmosphere is totally different than anything that I’m used to. The coaches are genuinely good people who will get me ready for everything that is ahead of me in my football journey.”

Had a BLAST at @SIU_Football on my OV this weekend! Thank you to everyone that made this possible! @17NickHill @CoachMaccc @TerryHawthorne1 @CoachGrant_12 @JackDan55847282 @highlytrainedbb @4boys4mp pic.twitter.com/waQah7d8Yf

— Chris Presto (@prestochris23) January 22, 2023

Will Presto commit to Southern Illinois on or before National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 1? And if the Cardinal Newman team leader commits to SIU before Feb. 1, will he sign his letter of intent to the Salukis?

We will have to wait and see.

But for now, let us celebrate Presto on being the People’s Champion of the 561.

PHOTO CREDITS: Christian Proscia

VIDEO CREDITS: Kevin Fielder