Video: Season highlights of Isaiah Davis Joplin senior running back is the Missouri Player of the Year.
His team didn't win the last one, but
Isaiah Davis got
Joplin (Mo.) to the 6A Missouri State High School Activities Association championship game.
Some, would even indicate, he carried the Eagles there.
The burly, fast and rugged 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior tailback rushed for 2,283 yards and a state best 45 touchdowns as Joplin (13-1) finished second in the state to
De Smet Jesuit (St. Louis).
Davis, a South Dakota commit, carried the ball 253 times (9.0 average) and broke the 100-yard barrier 11 times as the Eagles piled up 662 points, the second most in the state. He led the state in scoring with 288 points, and rushed for more than 200 yards four times, with season highs of 310 yards and six touchdowns on just 20 carries in a 69-48 win over Kirkwood.
Beyond his rushing prowess, Davis also had 19 catches for 220 yards and 52 tackles, two sacks and an interception from his linebacker spot. The 13 wins is a school record for a team that was after its third state title and first since 1982.
For all of it, he is our MaxPreps Missouri Player of the Year presented by Suddenlink by Altice.
"He can do everything," Joplin coach Curtis Jasper told the
Joplin Globe at midseason. "You have a guy who can play the big back, but he can also make people miss and he has a burst. I think he is one of the best players in the state."
Davis was eventually slowed in the state title game — he had 91 yards rushing and a touchdown — by DeSmet, which finished 14-0 and No. 14 nationally according to the MaxPreps computer rankings. The Spartans outscored opponents 622-120 and recorded four shutouts, including a 37-0 triumph over Raymore-Peculiar in the state semifinals.
For the team's excellence, DeSmet Jesuit's Robert Steeples was selected the MaxPreps Missouri Coach of the Year presented by Suddenlink by Altice.
Missouri 2019 Player of the Year Isaiah Davis, Joplin.
Photo by David Smith
First team
The Ozark Conference MVP threw for 4,034 yards and 54 touchdowns while completing 326 of 491 attempts.
QB — Cael Welker, Jackson, 5-11, 185, Jr.Threw for 2,852 yards (188 for 274) and 40 touchdowns for the undefeated Class 5 finalists.
RB — Isaiah Davis, Joplin, 6-1, 230, Sr.Rushed for 2,283 yards and 45 touchdowns on 253 carries for the Class 6 runners-up.
RB — Chris Kreh, Marquette (Chesterfield), 5-11, 192, Jr.The conference offensive player of the year rushed for 2,238 yards and 27 touchdowns on 280 carries.
WR — Kevin Coleman, St. Mary's (St. Louis), So.The AAA Large Conference Offensive Player of the Year had 76 catches for 1,512 yards and 21 touchdowns.
WR — Zach Westmoreland, Joplin, 6-2, 210, Sr.The returning all-state player had 106 catches for 1,631 yards and 21 touchdowns.
TE — Trevor Kardell, Lee's Summit West (Lee's Summit), 6-5, 225, Sr.All-Suburban Gold Conference selection caught 34 passes for 501 yards and three touchdowns.
OL — Jalen St. John, Trinity Catholic (St. Louis), 6-4, 302, Sr.The AAA Small conference lineman of the year.
OL — Drake Heismeyer, Howell (St. Charles), 6-3, 285, Sr.The Missouri commit was a unanimous All-Gateway Conference pick.
OL — Mitchell Walters, Mehlville (St. Louis), 6-8, 285, Sr.Lineman of the Year in the Suburban West National Conference. He'll play at Missouri next year.
OL — Beau Stephens, Blue Springs, 6-6, 305, Jr.All-Suburban Gold selection has offers from a number of schools in the Big 12 and Big 10.
OL — Josh Baker, Eureka, 6-3, 280, Sr.The two-time all-conference pick and returning all-state selection will play at Arizona next year.
AP — Jackson Beaman, Lincoln, 6-1, 195, Sr.A Missouri baseball commit, Beaman has thrown for 3,103 yards and 38 touchdowns and rushed for 1,660 yards and 35 touchdowns in leading Lincoln to the Class 1 championship game.
K — Grant Allen, Platte County (Platte City), 6-1, 175, Sr.Has helped lead the Platte City soccer and football teams to the state championship this fall. Allen has 13 field goals, including a long of 46.
DL — Oscar Campa, Carthage, 6-2, 270, Sr.Returning all-state player was a dominant force on offensive and defensive lines for the Class 5 finalists.
DL — Johnny Wilson, Park Hill (Kansas City), 6-3, 255, Sr.Named Suburban Gold Conference defensive player of the year had 97 tackles, including 28 for loss and 13 sacks.
DL — Noah Arinze, Webster Groves, 6-5, 240, Sr.Ranked by 247 Sports as one of the state's top defensive linemen, Arinze had 88 tackles and 10 sacks.
DL — Mekhi Wingo, DeSmet, 6-1, 280, Jr.The sack leader for the Class 6 state champions with 15 to go along with 97 tackles.
LB — Will Lee, Kirkwood, 6-2, 185, Jr.The Suburban XII Conference Defensive Player of the Year had 61 tackles and four sacks.
LB — Antonio Doyle, Lutheran North (St. Louis), 6-4, 221, Sr.The conference player of the year had 64 tackles on the season.
LB — Carter Edwards, De Smet, 6-1, 225, Sr.Led DeSmet in tackles with 126 and four sacks.
DB — Jakailin Johnson, De Smet, 6-1, 170, Sr.Had seven interceptions for the Class 6 champions.
DB — Aubrey Parker, Lutheran North, 5-10, 170, Sr.The first team all-conference selection had five interceptions and 42 tackles.
DB — Stefan Black, Blue Springs, 6-0, 180, Sr.A returning all-state selection, Black is headed to Air Force.
DB — Dontae Manning, Raytown, 6-0, 185, Sr.Ranked as the No. 2 player in the state by 247 Sports, Manning was an All-Suburban White Conference selection.
AP — Mikey Miles, Park Hill, 6-3, 190, Sr.Besides 115 total tackles, the Suburban Gold unanimous all-conference selection had 21 tackles for loss and three interceptions.
P — Brady Cook, Chaminade (St. Louis), 6-3, 210, Sr.The top-rated quarterback in the state, according to 247 Sports, Cook threw for 2,603 yards, 28 touchdowns. Also averaged 49.3 yards per punt to lead the state.
Rico Barfield, De Smet Jesuit
Photo by David Smith
The Suburban XII South Offensive Player of the Year threw for 3,274 yards and 38 touchdowns including nine in one game against Jefferson City.
QB — Gavin Watts, Glendale (Springfield), 6-3, 180, Sr.Completed 338 of 549 passes for 4,436 yards and 43 touchdowns in Glendale's prolific offense.
RB — Taj Butts, De Smet, 5-11, 200, Jr.Rushed for 1,279 yards and 18 touchdowns for the Class 6 champions.
RB - Rico Barfield, De Smet, 6-0, 215, Jr.Scored 18 touchdowns and ran for 1,148 yards on 151 carries.
WR — Jordan Johnson, De Smet, 6-2, 180, Sr.Bound for Notre Dame, Johnson had 28 catches for 597 yards and nine touchdowns for the Class 6 state champions.
WR — Luke Grimm, Raymore-Peculiar (Peculiar), 6-0, 180, Sr.The Suburban Gold Offensive Player of the Year had 40 catches for 853 yards and 10 touchdowns and also rushed for 495 yards and six scores.
TE — Dominick Hoskins, Fair Grove, 6-4, 200, Sr.A returning all-state player made the Mid Lakes All-Conference team while leading Fair Grove to a 10-1 record.
OL — Mitchell Gildehaus, St. Francis Borgia (Washington), 6-5, 275, Sr.Named the AAA Large Conference Lineman of the Year.
OL — Brady Feeney, Christian Brothers (St. Louis), 6-5, 285, Sr.A returning all-state player who is headed to play at Indiana.
OL — Connor Tollison, Jackson, 6-5, 285, Jr.The Southeast Missouri North Lineman of the Year was all-state as a sophomore.
OL — Bennie Anderson, Westminster Christian (St. Louis), 6-3, 275, Sr.Son of former Baltimore Raven of the same name, Anderson earned All-Metro honors.
OL — Brody Wisecarver, De Smet, 6-4, 317, Jr.Ranked as one of the top juniors in the state by 247 Sports.
AP — Jace Reynolds, Harrisonville, 5-8, 170, So.Rushed for 2,096 yards and 17 touchdowns on 319 carries to lead the Kansas City area.
K — Cullen Bruner, Marceline, 5-11, 170, Sr.Had six field goals including a long of 49. Also rushed for 1,886 yards and had 36 touchdowns. Also one of the state's top punters.
DL — Jalen Logan-Redding, Rock Bridge (Columbia), 6-4, 235, Sr.Headed to Missouri, Logan-Redding was chosen on the Central Missouri Media all-district team.
DL — Brandon Lane, St. Michael the Archangel (Lee's Summit), 6-4, 256, Sr.Had 18 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks while posting 47 tackles.
DL — Michael West, Christian Brothers, 6-5, 210, SrThe team captain had 68 tackles and six sacks.
DL — Travion Ford, Lutheran North, 6-4, 220, Jr.Had nine sacks for the Class 2 finalists.
LB — Itayvion Brown, Lutheran North, 6-5, 225, Sr.Had 98 tackles and seven sacks heading into the Class 2 championshipo game.
LB — Ryan Maasen, Camdenton, 6-0, 185, Sr.Named the defensive MVP of the Ozark Conference
LB — Dakota Robertson, Fort Osage (Independence), 6-3, 220, Sr.The Suburban White conference Defensive Player of the Year.
LB — Garret Watson, Platte County (Platte City), 6-2, 205, Sr.Led the Platte City defense with 17 tackles for loss and 16 sacks.
DB — Cam Griffin, Lutheran North, 6-2, 170, Sr.Griffin posted 34 tackles and three interceptions while earning all-conference honors.
DB — Treghan Parker, Webb City, 5-11, 180, Jr.Has helped lead Webb City to the Class 4 state championship game by making 78 tackles and intercepting six passes.
DB — Jimmy May, Scott City, 5-5, 150, Sr.Named the top player in the Southeast Missouri Conference, May rushed for 1,304 yards, scored 260 points, including 50 points on extra points.
DL — Gabriel Rubio, Lutheran (St. Peters), 6-5, 290, Sr.Two-way lineman was named the defensive player of the year in the AAA Small Conference
P — Gabe Sappington, Raymore Peculiar, 6-3, 178, Sr.Averaged 38.1 yards per punt and made 10 field goals. Unanimous Suburban Gold All-Conference Selection.
