Thomas Tyner leads the Player of the Year Watch.
File photo by Larry Lawson
While he didn't rush for more than 600 yards or score 10 touchdowns, Aloha's Thomas Tyner continues to be the favorite in the MaxPreps National Player of the Year Watch — but he has plenty of competition.
Tyner had a season-low 257 yards in a 13-8 win over Sunset (Portland, Ore.), but he continues to be among the national leaders in rushing yardage and touchdowns.
Tyner is getting competition from a pair of Florida running backs who will face each other this week. Derrick Henry of Yulee posted a state-record 510 yards last week while Kelvin Taylor of Glades Day continued to creep closer to 11,000 career rushing yards with 158 yards in two quarters of play. The duo ranks 1-2 all-time among Florida rushing leaders.
Also in the mix is Max Browne, who has Skyline undefeated on the season at 4-0. Moving up fast are El Toro quarterback Conner Manning and Byrnes quarterback Shuler Bentley, both of whom had big outings last week.
MaxPreps National Player of the Year Watch FavoriteThomas Tyner, Aloha (Beaverton, Ore.)
Tyner faced a much tougher opponent in Sunset (Portland, Ore.) last week, but he still managed 257 yards on a season-high 41 carries in a 13-8 win. He scored both of Aloha's touchdowns and has 19 for the season in just four games. He has gained 1,484 yards on 121 carries.
Top ContendersMax Browne, Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.)
Browne added three more touchdown passes in a 57-14 win over Roosevelt (Seattle) last week. Browne has the Spartans averaging 44 points a game in beginning the season 4-0.
Derrick Henry, Yulee (Fla.)
In his best game of the season, Henry carried 45 times for 510 yards and six touchdowns – all season highs. The 45-28 win over Jackson (Jacksonville, Fla.) was the third-straight win for Yulee, which faces Kelvin Taylor and Glades Day this week. Henry reportedly has 9,255 career yards, the second-highest total in state history behind only Taylor.
Kelvin Taylor, Glades Day (Belle Glade, Fla.)
Taylor didn't play in the second half against Jupiter Christian, but he still managed 158 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries in a 41-0 win. While Taylor has 9,080 official career yards in his high school career, placing him behind Derrick Henry on the all-time national list, he is actually ahead of Henry on the Florida all-time list with 10,664 career yards (including eighth grade).
Keep an Eye OnJalen Hurd, Beech (Hendersonville, Tenn.)
Hurd had his lowest rushing total of the season with just 145 yards on 13 carries and three touchdowns in a 42-0 win over White House (Tenn.). He still leads the nation in rushing with 1,674 yards on 133 carries with 22 touchdowns.
Jake Browning, Folsom (Calif.)
The Bulldogs had little trouble with Casa Roble, winning 56-7. Browning completed 29 of 42 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns in the win. For the season, Browning has completed 134 of 205 passes for 2,010 yards and 19 scores.
Austin Kafentzis, Jordan (Sandy, Utah)
In his best all-around passing performance of the season, Kafentzis completed 24 of 33 passes for 363 yards and a state record eight touchdowns in a 56-0 win over Copper Hills (Utah). He also added 83 yards rushing on six carries. He is closing in on 1,000 yards rushing on the season as he has 914 yards and 10 touchdowns on 99 carries. He has completed 96 of 149 passes for 1,491 yards and 19 touchdowns. He'll get a big test this week when Jordan faces St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).
Su'a Cravens, Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.)
Cathedral Catholic held Cravens without a touchdown in Vista Murrieta's 21-10 win as he caught one pass for 11 yards. He also managed six tackles and had a defensed pass.
Moving up QuicklyConner Manning, El Toro (Lake Forest, Calif.)
The Chargers are 5-0 behind Manning, who led them to a 77-46 win over Valhalla. He had a season-high 613 yards with seven touchdowns to set an Orange County yardage record. He completed 45 of 59 passes on the night. For the season, Manning has 182 completions in 261 attempts for 2,255 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Shuler Bentley, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)Bentley threw five touchdowns in a game for the third straight week and went over 400 yards for the second time this year in a 35-7 win over Boiling Springs. He completed 29 of 42 passes for 435 yards and five scores. For the season, Bentley has completed 130 of 192 passes for 1,936 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading Byrnes to a 5-0 mark.
