By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Matt Barkley, Mater Dei, Santa Ana (Calif.)
Barkley had his fewest attempts and fewest completions of the season, but the Monarchs had no trouble with Long Beach Jordan, winning 35-15. Barkley completed 6 of 14 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Barkley has completed 164 of 289 passes for 2,644 yards and 22 touchdowns.
Garrett Gilbert, Lake Travis, Austin (Texas)
The Cavaliers actually received a bit of a challenge for the first time in two months before defeating Steele 38-21 in the second round of the Texas 4A playoffs. Gilbert was on target, completing 22 of 26 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns in the win. He had another big game on the ground as he ran 16 times for 66 yards and three touchdowns. For the season, Gilbert is 224 of 320 for 3,627 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Russell Shepard, Cypress Ridge, Houston (Texas)
Shepard came up big in Cypress Ridge’s 42-32 playoff win over Lufkin in the Texas 5A state playoffs. He carried 28 times for a season-best 323 yards and five touchdowns and also completed 7 of 15 passes for 87 yards. For the season, Shepard has completed 103 of 191 passes for 1,622 yards and 15 scores. He also has carried 226 times for 1,636 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Bryce Brown, Wichita East, (Kan.)
Brown’s season ended two weeks ago completed his season with 1,872 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Morgan Newton, Carmel (Ind.)
Newton accounted for four touchdowns in Carmel’s 38-3 win over Penn in the Indiana state playoffs. He completed 10 of 14 passes for 106 yards and three touchdowns and also ran 16 times for 85 yards and a score. He has completed 160 of 238 passes for 1,846 yards and 21 touchdowns and he has gained 1,457 yards rushing on 214 carries with 24 touchdowns.
Trent Richardson, Escambia (Fla.)
The Gators finished the regular season 5-5 and did not advance to the playoffs. Richardson ends the season with 225 carries for 2,090 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Washaun Ealey, Emanuel County Institute (Ga.)
Ealey and the Bulldogs continue to roll in the Georgia A state playoffs, defeating Clinch County 33-21. Ealey exploded for 245 yards on a season-high 30 carries with four touchdowns. He now has 2,404 yards rushing on 229 carries on the season. He also had 40 total touchdowns, including 35 on the ground.
Jeremiah Young, Steelton-Highspire (Pa.)
Young became the all-time leading rusher in Pennsylvania history by rushing for 138 yards on 24 carries in a 49-16 win over Camp Hill in the District III Class A championship game. Young has rushed for 2,291 yards on 224 carries this year with 29 total touchdowns. For his career, Young has gained 8,506 yards and has scored 111 total touchdowns.
Cierre Wood, Santa Clara, Oxnard (Calif.)
Wood carried for just five yards before leaving Santa Clara’s 42-0 loss to El Segundo in the first round of the CIF Northwest Division playoffs. Woods sat out two weeks against Carpinteria after injuring his ankle against Oaks Christian on Nov. 7. For the season, Wood has rushed 144 times for 1,636 yards and 26 total touchdowns. He has also caught 8 passes for 182 yards.
Rex Burkhead, Plano (Texas)
Burkhead scored three times and had nearly 200 yards of offense, but it wasn’t enough to lift Plano past Trinity in the Texas 5A playoffs. Burkhead ran 28 times for 161 yards and two touchdowns and caught six passes for 28 yards and as core. For the season, Burkhead has run 256 times for 1,775 yards and 28 touchdowns. He has also caught 42 passes for 592 yards and five touchdowns.
Scott Young, Denton Ryan (Texas)
Denton Ryan moved into the third round with a 49-14 win over Mansfield Timberview behind Young’s four touchdown passes. Young also completed 14 of 24 passes for 275 yards. Young has completed 246 of 390 passes for 3,995 yards and 60 touchdowns.
Montee Ball, Timberland (Mo.)
Ball’s season is over. He ends the year with 2,187 yards on 203 carries with 41 touchdowns.
Ryan Kasdorf, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks, Calif.)
Kasdorf and the Knights had little trouble in the first round, routing Compton 42-0 in the Pac-5 Division playoffs. Kasdorf completed 13 of 17 passes for 233 yards and four touchdowns, but had a season high two interceptions in the win. Kasdorf has completed 162 of 229 passes for 3,163 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Tavon Austin, Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.)
Austin led Dunbar to a 46-0 win over W.E.B. Du Bois with a 156 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Austin has 27 touchdowns on the season.
Brandon Wegher, Bishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, Iowa)
Wegher came up big in the state championship game as he led Bishop Heelan to a 35-10 win over Decorah-North Winneshiek by rushing for 241 yards on 32 carries and four touchdowns. Named the state player of the year in Iowa, Wegher finishes the season with 362 carries for 3,238 yards and 51 touchdowns.
