By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Bryce Brown of Wichita East was this week’s Ace, in more ways than one, as he rambled for six touchdowns and ran for over 200 yards for the fourth straight week. His effort highlights this week’s MaxPreps Player of the Year Watch.
Matt Barkley, Mater Dei, Santa Ana (Calif.)
The Monarchs had a bye last week and have been preparing for Servite in a matchup that is one of this week’s 5 Days 2 Friday contests. Barkley has completed 86 of 165 passes for 1,437 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Garrett Gilbert, Lake Travis, Austin (Texas)
The Cavaliers went over 50 points for the third straight week as Gilbert completed 18 of 23 passes for 298 yards and five touchdowns. Gilbert upped his completion percentage to 67 percent as he has completed 129 of 193 passes for 2,090 yards and 25 touchdowns with just one interception.
Aaron Murray, Plant, Tampa (Fla.)
Murray led Plant to its fourth straight win, defeating Blake 42-0. Murray threw for six touchdowns and completed 17 of 26 passes for 288 yards. He also had a pair of interceptions, giving him four for the season. For the year, Murray has completed 79 of 129 passes for 1,513 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Russell Shepard, Cypress Ridge, Houston (Texas)
Cy Ridge bounced back from a loss two weeks ago to drop Cy-Fair 21-14 with Russell Shepard taking a backseat to teammate Hasan Lipscomb on the day. Lipscomb led the rushing attack with 121 yards while Shepard carried 16 times for 62 yards and a 15-yard touchdown. Shepard also completed 4 of 10 passes for 63 yards and a 12-yard scoring toss. For the season, Shepard has completed 53 of 108 passes for 818 yards and eight touchdowns while rushing 102 times for 580 yards and seven scores.
Bryce Brown, Wichita East, (Kan.)
Brown had a huge game for the Aces in a 54-0 win over West as he rumbled for 274 yards on just 13 carries with six touchdowns. Brown scored on runs of 32, 24, 47, 69 and 14 yards and also caught a 46-yard touchdown pass. Brown has carried 144 times for 1,266 yards and 24 total touchdowns.
Tajh Boyd, Phoebus Hampton, (Va.)
Boyd returned to action against Hampton last week after sitting out two games with a knee injury. The Phantoms routed the Crabbers 42-6 with Boyd completing 9 of 12 passes for 100 yards and a touchdown. For the year, Boyd has completed 41 of 62 passes for 674 yards and eight scores.
Morgan Newton, Carmel (Ind.)
The Greyhounds whipped North Vigo 35-7 with Newton completing 11 of 14 passes for 183 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also ran 13 times for 83 yards and two scores. He has completed 93 of 133 passes for 1,105 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has gained 859 yards rushing on 126 carries with 13 touchdowns.
Rueben Randle, Bastrop (La.)
Bastrop set up this week’s big game with Evangel Christian by whipping Franklin 46-6. Rueben Randle completed 9 of 12 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown and also ran for a pair of touchdowns as Bastrop won its 49th straight game.
Trent Richardson, Escambia (Fla.)
Escambia returned to the gridiron last week and fell to Niceville 31-13. Richardson went over 100 yards for the fourth time this year, rushing 19 times for 121 yards and a touchdowns. For the season, Richardson has run 109 times for 983 yards and 14 scores.
Washaun Ealey, Emanuel County Institute (Ga.)
Ealey had his biggest game of the season as he carried 22 times for 315 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-14 win over Treutlen. Ealey also caught a touchdown pass, giving him 20 total touchdowns for the season. Ealey has 110 career touchdowns and is one score away from tying the state record of 111.
Jeremiah Young, Steelton-Highspire (Pa.)
Young led the Steamrollers to their seventh win of the season by rushing for 328 yards on just 22 carries with four touchdowns in a 46-8 victory. For the season, Young has carried 142 times for 1,483 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Cierre Wood, Santa Clara, Oxnard (Calif.)
Kilpatrick was merciless to contain Wood as he was tackled just five times in the entire game. Wood carried eight times for 198 yards and three touchdowns, including a 75-yard run. He also caught a scoring pass of 12 yards. He also returned a kickoff 94 yards for a score. For the season, Wood has rushed 62 times for 949 yards and 13 total touchdowns. He has scored 18 total touchdowns.
Rex Burkhead, Plano (Texas)
Burkhead ran for a pair of touchdowns in Plano’s 44-21 win over Plano West last week. He also rushed 21 times for 177 yards and caught four passes for 61 yards. Burkhead has run 141 times for 945 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. He has also caught 15 passes for 198 yards and a score. Plano takes on highly-regarded Allen this week.
Marcus Lattimore, Byrnes, Duncan (S.C.)
Lattimore went over 1,000 yards for the season in a 39-3 win over Spartanburg as he ran 22 times for 171 yards and touchdown runs of 44, 6 and 23 yards. For the year, Lattimore has 1,070 yards on 131 carries with 13 touchdowns.