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 2022 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.
Suntarine Perkins of
Raleigh is the 2022 MaxPreps Mississippi High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior running back/linebacker helped the Lions go 14-1 and capture the Class 3A state championship.
Perkins rushed for 2,081 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. Defensively, he recorded 92 tackles, five sacks, four
interceptions, four fumble recoveries and forced a fumble. He also
handled kicking duties, converting 25 extra-point attempts.
In five postseason games, Perkins ran for 1,087 and 16 touchdowns, averaging 13.8 yards per carry.
Perkins had a game for the ages Friday in a 55-52 win over Noxubee County in the 3A title game. He rushed for 337 yards and four touchdowns, converted four two-point conversions and made a key interception with four minutes left to play.
Two plays after the pick, Perkins scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the game and followed it up with the two-point conversion to secure Raleigh's first state title.
Regarded as a top 100 prospect nationally by 247Sports, Perkins committed to Ole Miss as a sophomore. He was offered by 10 SEC schools, including Alabama, Georgia and LSU.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team, which will be released January 10.
Past MaxPreps Mississippi Players of the Year2020 – Marquis Crosby, RB, Seminary
2021 – Dante Dowdell, RB, Picayune
