By Kevin Askeland
MaxPreps.com
Matt Barkley, Mater Dei, Santa Ana (Calif.)
Orange Lutheran’s ability to hang on to the ball for 33 minutes kept it out of Barkley’s hands as he attempted a season low 16 passes and completed just seven for 196 yards in a 24-21 loss. Barkley had one touchdown pass and one interception and went over 9,000 career passing yards (9,096). For the season, Barkley has completed 158 of 275 passes for 2,502 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Garrett Gilbert, Lake Travis, Austin (Texas)
The Cavaliers posted more the 50 points in a game for the sixth time in seven weeks with a 55-14 win over Johnson in the first round of the Texas 4A state playoffs. Gilbert completed 19 of 26 passes for 279 yards and three scores and also ran 11 times for 98 yards and four touchdowns. The Texas-bound senior is also closing in on second place on the Texas career attempts and completions marks, which he should break this week. For the season, Gilbert is 202 of 294 for 3,336 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Russell Shepard, Cypress Ridge, Houston (Texas)
Shepard accounted for all four of Cy Ridge’s touchdowns in a 26-21 win over Round Rock in the first round of the Texas 5A playoffs. He ran 30 times for 201 yards and three scores and also completed 5 of 12 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. For the season, Shepard has completed 96 of 176 passes for 1,535 yards and 15 scores. He also has carried 198 times for 1,313 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Bryce Brown, Wichita East, (Kan.)
Brown’s season ended last week and he completed his season with 1,872 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Morgan Newton, Carmel (Ind.)
Carmel continued to march through the Indiana state playoffs with a 24-21 win over Fort Wayne Snider. Newton did most of the damage on the ground this time, rushing 24 times for 169 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed 11 of 21 passes for 141 yards. He has completed 150 of 224 passes for 1,740 yards and 18 touchdowns. Newton has gained 1,377 yards rushing on 198 carries with 23 touchdowns.
Trent Richardson, Escambia (Fla.)
The Gators finished the regular season with a 30-7 loss to rival Pensacola. Richardson went over 100 yards for the ninth time this season, gaining 124 yards on 17 carries with one touchdown. Richardson went over 2,000 yards on the season as he has carried 225 times for 2,090 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Washaun Ealey, Emanuel County Institute (Ga.)
Ealey went over 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns for the year as he erupted for 293 yards on 29 carries in a 51-8 playoff win over Greenville. Ealey also added four rushing touchdowns to give him 31 for the season. Ealey has 36 total touchdowns and has gained 2,159 yards on 199 carries.
Jeremiah Young, Steelton-Highspire (Pa.)
Young is closing in on the all-time career rushing record in Pennsylvania as he had a big night in Steelton-Highspire’s 42-7 playoff win over Millersburg. Young finished with 192 yards on 15 carries with three touchdowns. He now has 2,153 yards on 200 carries with 27 touchdowns this year. For his career, he has 8,368 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns. He needs just 42 yards to take over the all-time lead. The Steamrollers take on Camp Hill this week. Young missed the early game against Camp Hill, a 28-20 Steel-High win, due to injury.
Cierre Wood, Santa Clara, Oxnard (Calif.)
Wood sat out Santa Clara’s 14-13 win over Carpinteria with an ankle injury he sustained in the loss to Oaks Christian two weeks ago. The injury may also keep Wood out of this week’s playoff game. For the season, Wood has rushed 142 times for 1,631 yards and 26 total touchdowns. He has also caught 8 passes for 182 yards.
Rex Burkhead, Plano (Texas)
Burkhead scored four times in a 42-15 win over Duncanville in the first round of the bi-district playoffs. He ran 16 times for 125 yards and two scores and also caught five passes for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns. For the season, Burkhead has run 228 times for 1,614 yards and 26 touchdowns. He has also caught 36 passes for 564 yards and four touchdowns.
Scott Young, Denton Ryan (Texas)
Denton Ryan edged Birdville 46-41 in the first round of the Texas state playoffs with Young completing 21 of 29 passes for 346 yards and four touchdowns. Young has completed 232 of 366 passes for 3,720 yards and 56 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 led Notre Dame to another impressive win as he completed 15 of 18 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-21 Serra League victory over Bishop Amat. Kasdorf completes the regular season with 2,930 yards and 32 touchdowns. He has completed 149 of 212 passes for a .703 completion percentage.
Tavon Austin, Dunbar (Baltimore, Md.)
Dunbar had a bye last week and will play Du Bois this week in the Maryland state playoffs. Austin enters the playoffs with 25 touchdowns on the season.
Brandon Wegher, Bishop Heelan Catholic (Sioux City, Iowa)
Wegher has had a phenomenal season and career at Bishop Heelan. In leading the Crusaders to a 13-0 record, Wegher has rushed for 2,997 yards on 330 carries, including 254 yards on 34 carries in a 27-7 win over Clear Lake last week. He has scored 49 total touchdowns on the season, including three last week.
