Each year since 2006, MaxPreps has recognized outstanding performers in high school football. America's source for high school sports continues the tradition to close out the 2021 season by naming the top player in each state. Selections are based on team success and individual excellence, in addition to local and state accolades.
Joe Himon of the
Pulaski Academy (Little Rock) is the 2021 MaxPreps Arkansas High School Football Player of the Year. The 5-foot-10, 176-pound running back helped the Bruins go 13-1 and capture the Class 5A state football championship.
In a 51-19 win over White Hall in the championship game, Himon carried the football 18 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 35 yards.
Arkansas' No. 10 prospect in the Class of 2022, according to 247Sports.com, ran roughshod over four Bruin foes by carrying the ball 72 times for 607 yards and seven scores in the playoffs. His 32 catches went for 233 yards and an additional three touchdowns in postseason play.
The three-star talent went over the century mark in all four postseason games and added 112 yards receiving in a 38-28 semifinal win over Greenbrier, giving him 367 all-purpose yards in the 10-point triumph.
Himon, who amassed 7,567 all-purpose career yards, finished his senior season with 152 carries for 1,657 yards and 29 touchdowns and 79 catches for another 879 yards and 11 scores. Himon's best outing during regular season action saw him run the football for 197 yards and four touchdowns on 16 carries in a 63-39 Sept. 3 win against Madison-Ridgeland Academy. During that game, Himon also caught 12 aerials for 171 yards and another score.
Himon was also named MaxPreps' 2020 Arkansas Football Player of the Year after topping 1,000 yards both running (1,925) and catching (1,068) the football. In all, the Northwestern commit chalked up 2,993 all-purpose yards and scored 32 touchdowns as a junior.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion on the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released in early January.
Joe Himon, Pulaski Academy
Photo by Richey Miller
