This week's look at MaxPreps.com's National Player of the Year candidates (listed alphabetically);
Mike Bellamy, RB, Charlotte (Punta Gorda, Fla.)
Team record: 12-0
Last weekend: Charlotte got locked in a defensive battle for the ages against Cape Coral in Florida's Class 4A state playoffs, but Bellamy's 178 yards and a score on 27 carries were the difference as the Fightin' Tarpons escaped with a 7-0 win.
Season: The future Clemson Tiger has 2,352 yards and 41 touchdowns heading into a regional final showdown with nationally-ranked Armwood.
Johnathan Gray, RB, Aledo (Aledo, Texas)
Team record: 12-0
Last weekend: Despite Gray's lowest rushing total of the year (81 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries), Aledo rocked Hereford in the Texas Class 4A Division II state playoffs, 40-14. He supplemented that output with three receptions for 87 yards and a TD.
Season: The 5-foot-10, 185-pound junior is up to 2,682 yards and 49 touchdowns on the ground this fall. He has another 215 receiving yards.
Qyendairs Griffin, South Panola
Photo by Chris Evans
Team record: 14-0, No. 2 in this week's Xcellent 25 High School Football Rankings presented by the Army National Guard
Last weekend: After a 243-yard performance against Olive Branch in Mississippi's Class 6A quarterfinals, Griffin went for another 200 and four scores in a 43-7 win over Madison Central in the semifinals.
Season: Griffin's 2,492 yards and 35 touchdowns have been a big part of South Panola's charge to the 6A title game, where it will meet Meridian.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Tivy (Kerrville, Texas)
Team record: 10-2 (season complete)
Season: The future Texas A&M Aggie saw his season come to an end Nov. 19 following a 48-42 loss to Lake Travis (Austin). Manziel finished with 3,559 yards and 44 touchdowns (against just five picks) through the air while running for another 1,695 yards and 30 TDs.
Maty Mauk, QB, Kenton (Ohio)
Team record: 11-2 (season complete)
Season: Mauk tossed for 5,670 yards and 69 touchdowns, ran for 974 yards and 16 TDs and helped Kenton average 51.5 points per game.
Kasen Williams, WR, Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.)
Team Record: 12-1
Last weekend: Williams did it again in the Class 4A semifinals against Curtis, leading Skyline to a dramatic, 35-34 victory. The future Washington Husky picked off a pass late in the fourth quarter, then took a screen pass 85 yards for a touchdown that turned out to be the game-winner on the next play. Williams finished with nine receptions for 147 yards and a score.
Season: The 6-2, 210-pound senior two-way starter has 83 receptions for 1,538 yards and 21 touchdowns on offense, with over 70 tackles, three interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery on defense. As a return man, Williams has over 300 yards.
Quentin Williams, QB, Jefferson (Tampa, Fla.)
Team record: 12-0
Last weekend: The Dragons decided to keep it on the ground during a 41-14 win over Pasco (Dade City) in Florida's Class 3A state playoffs. Williams connected on 10 of 18 passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 94 yards and a TD.
Season: Heading into Jefferson's 3A regional final matchup with Vanguard (Ocala), Williams has thrown for 3,607 yards and 49 touchdowns, picking up another 743 and six TDs on the ground.
Justin Worley, QB, Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.)
Team record: 14-0, No. 18 in this week's Xcellent 25
Last weekend: Worley helped Northwestern reach South Carolina's Class AAAA-Division II title game by throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-34 win over previously-unbeaten Goose Creek.
Season: The future Tennessee Vol will take his 5,052 yards and 59 touchdown passes into the state championship game against Greenwood on Friday.
