Video: Alex Huston with back-to-back 9 TD gamesThe National Player of the Year Watch takes a look at sophomores this week, including last year's National Freshman of the Year and the nation's leading passer.
National Player of the Year Watch: Sophomores
Alex Huston, Glendale (Springfield, Mo.)
Huston's Glendale team only went 4-7, but Huston had one of the most prolific passing seasons in high school history. He set a national record by averaging 509.8 yards per game. He completed 436 of 664 passes for 5,608 yards and 69 touchdowns — all of which currently lead the nation and are Missouri state records.
Layne Hatcher, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock, Ark.)
Another in a long line of talented quarterbacks for coach Kevin Kelley's Bruins, Hatcher has Pulaski Academy at 10-0 in the regular season, completing 221 of 324 passes for 3,471 yards and 40 touchdowns. His best outing was a 600-yard output with eight touchdowns in a 71-40 win over Warren.
Tadas Tatarunas, Mentor (Ohio)
In leading Mentor to the second round of the Ohio Division 1 playoffs, Tatarunas has completed 176 passes for 274 yards and 21 touchdowns. He had his best game with 523 yards and four touchdowns in a 63-56 win over St. Ignatius. Mentor takes on top-ranked St. Edward this week.
Trevor Lawrence, Cartersville (Ga.)
The MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year last season, Lawrence has not suffered a sophomore slump. He's led Cartersville to a 10-0 record while completing 157 of 236 passes for 2,610 yards and 33 touchdowns with just three interceptions.
Matt Corral, Oaks Christian
Photo by Steven Silva
Corral has led Oaks Christian to a 10-0 record heading into the Pac-5 Division playoffs. He had his best game of the season in a 35-33 win over Cathedral Catholic (San Diego) when he threw for 451 yards and three touchdowns. He has completed 135 of 194 passes for 2,644 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Phil Jurkovec, Pine-Richland (Gibsonia, Pa.)
Jurkovec has proven to be an adept passer and runner for Pine-Richland, which ended the regular season with a 9-1 record. Jurkovec has completed 158 passes in 237 attempts for 2,266 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he has also ran 113 times for 1,088 yards and 10 scores. In a 35-28 win over Seneca Valley, Jurkovec threw for 253 yards and ran for 242.
Zamir White, Scotland (Laurinburg, N.C.)
Scotland has had a tremendous season, going 11-0 and advancing to the second round of the playoffs. White has been crucial to Scotland's success has he has rushed for 1,908 yards and 37 touchdowns on 233 carries. He had his best outing in a 42-13 win over Independence (Charlotte, N.C.), rushing for 302 yards and six touchdowns.
Cameron Rising, Newbury Park (Calif.)
Newbury Park looks to be in good hands with Rising over the next two years. He has thrown for 36 touchdown passes this year and just one interception. He has completed 170 of 281 passes for 2,897 yards in leading Newbury Park to a 6-4 record. He has also rushed for 570 yards and nine touchdowns.
Jalen Hall, Hawkins (Los Angeles)
One of the top receiving recruits in the country for the class of 2018, Hall has 60 catches this year for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns. That's about the same as he had in 13 games last year as a freshman when he caught 52 passes for 1,181 yards and nine scores.
Dakereon Joyner, Fort Dorchester (North Charleston, S.C.)
In leading Fort Dorchester to its first ever undefeated regular season, Joyner completed 123 of 218 passes for 2,291 yards and 20 touchdowns. He also ran for 705 yards on 108 carries and 12 touchdowns.
