By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Many of the player of the year candidates were idle over the weekend, but Bryce Brown, Jeremiah Young and Marcus Lattimore all had big rushing games to highlight this week’s MaxPreps Player of the Year Watch.
Matt Barkley, Mater Dei, Santa Ana (Calif.)
The Monarchs dropped their second game of the season, scoring a season-low 14 points in a 24-14 loss to Edison of Huntington Beach. Barkley was held without a touchdown pass but completed 17 of 35 tosses for 251 yards and two interceptions. Barkley has completed 86 of 165 passes for 1,437 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last year after five games, Barkley had 19 touchdowns and only three interceptions. This year he has 11 picks in five games.
Garrett Gilbert, Lake Travis, Austin (Texas)
The Cavaliers had little trouble with Hutto, winning 55-20 on six Gilbert touchdown passes. Gilbert had three touchdown passes in the third quarter alone and finished with 15 completions in 17 attempts for 299 yards. Gilbert has been extremely efficient this year, completing 65 percent of his passes (111 for 170) for 1,792 yards and 20 touchdowns with just one interception.
Aaron Murray, Plant, Tampa (Fla.)
For the first time in three weeks, Murray didn’t have seven touchdown passes in one half, but that’s only because Plant had the week off. Murray and the Panthers will be back in action this week against Blake, a team that is 0-5 on the year. For the season, Murray has completed 62 of 103 passes for 1,225 yards and 19 touchdowns with just two interceptions.
Russell Shepard, Cypress Ridge, Houston (Texas)
Cy Ridge suffered a tough loss to Cy Creek, falling 31-21. Shepard had a hand in all three touchdowns as he threw touchdown passes of 67 and 15 yards and also had a two-yard touchdown run to held the Rams take a 21-14 halftime lead. Cy Creek outscored Cy Ridge 17-0 in second half for the win. Shepard completed 15 of 32 passes for 183 yards and two interceptions and also rushed 22 times for 53 yards and a score. For the season, Shepard has completed 49 of 98 passes for 755 yards and seven touchdowns while rushing 86 times for 518 yards and six scores.
Bryce Brown, Wichita East, (Kan.)
Brown and Aces lost their first game of the season, falling to Bishop Carroll 49-19. Brown did his part, rushing 25 times for 228 yards and three touchdowns. Brown, who has committed to the University of Miami, had touchdown runs of 69, 80 and 13 yards. Brown has carried 131 times for 992 yards and 18 total touchdowns.
Tajh Boyd, Phoebus Hampton, (Va.)
Boyd sat out his second-straight game for the Phantoms due to a sprained knee. Phoebus had no trouble getting a win over Gloucester, routing the Dukes 65-13. The Phantoms will likely need Boyd’s services this week as they take on the undefeated Hampton Crabbers. For the year, Boyd has completed 32 of 50 passes for 574 yards and seven scores.
Morgan Newton, Carmel (Ind.)
The Greyhounds knocked off undefeated Warren Central 31-17 with Newton using his legs to get the win. Newton rushed 26 times for 159 yards and scored on a 7-yard run in the third period to break a 17-17 halftime tie. Newton also completed 12 of 21 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown. He has completed 74 of 101 passes for 813 yards and eight touchdowns. He has gained 617 yards rushing on 87 carries with ten scores.
Rueben Randle, Bastrop (La.)
After trailing 19-14 at halftime, Bastrop erupted for 46 second-half points to defeat Rayville 60-31. Randle played a big part in the win as he rushed 12 times for 130 yards and completed 10 of 26 passes for 136 yards. Randle had three touchdown runs of 49, 4 and 8 yards and also threw TD passes for 17 and 12 yards. The win was the 48th in a row for the Rams.
Trent Richardson, Escambia (Fla.)
Escambia and Richardson had a bye last week, but will take on undefeated Niceville this week. Richardson has 862 yards on 90 carries with 13 touchdowns in four games.
Washaun Ealey, Emanuel County Institute (Ga.)
Ealey and the Bulldogs were idle last week and will take on 5-1 Treutlen this week. For the season, Ealey has run 85 times for 889 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is five touchdowns away from tying the state record of 111 career touchdowns, held by Monte Williams of Pacelli.
Jeremiah Young, Steelton-Highspire (Pa.)
The Steamrollers routed Middletown 40-14 with Young rushing 23 times for 277 yards and two touchdowns in the win. For the season, Young has carried 120 times for 1,155 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Cierre Wood, Santa Clara, Oxnard (Calif.)
Santa Clara had a bye last week and will host winless Kilpatrick this week. For the season, Wood had rushed 54 times for 751 yards and 13 total touchdowns.
Rex Burkhead, Plano (Texas)
Plano edged Wylie 38-31 in a battle of unbeaten teams. Wylie was able to shut down Burkhead as he had 56 yards on 20 carries and no touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 11 yards. For the season, Burkhead has rushed 120 times for 762 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has also caught 11 passes for 137 yards and a score.
Marcus Lattimore, Byrnes, Duncan (S.C.)
Lattimore helped Byrnes knock off defending Florida 2B state champion Pahokee 31-12 last week by rushing for 177 yards with a touchdown. For the season, Lattimore has 899 yards on 109 carries with 10 touchdowns.