Several of the top contenders for National Player of the Year had the week off, allowing Skyline's Max Browne to move closer to the favorite role.
In leading his team to a 59-17 playoff win over Puyallup, Browne set the state record for career completions and also accounted for seven touchdowns, including five through the air.
Yulee's Derrick Henry continues to be the favorite, especially if he can break Ken Hall's career rushing record in the coming weeks. However, a short run in the playoffs by Yulee and a state championship for Skyline could turn the tables in favor of Browne by the end of November.
Max Browne set a state record in Skyline's playoff victory over Puyallup last week.
Photo by Jeff Napier
Favorite
Derrick Henry, Yulee (Fla.)Yulee did not play last week but will complete the regular season this week at Hamilton County (Jasper, Fla.) and then will host Taylor County (Perry, Fla.) in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 16. Henry remains 532 yards behind Ken Hall on the all-time rushing list with 10,700 career yards. He has 2,866 yards on 298 carries this season.
Top ContendersMax Browne, Skyline (Sammamish, Wash.)Skyline opened the postseason with a 59-17 win over Puyallup. Browne broke the state record for completions in a career with 805, surpassing the mark previously held by current Detroit Lions quarterback Kellen Moore. Browne also had five touchdown passes in the win to give him 34 on the season.
Thomas Tyner, Aloha (Beaverton, Ore.)
Aloha did not play last week, leaving Tyner with 2,797 yards and 33 touchdowns for the season heading into a first-round playoff game against Glencoe (HIllsboro, Ore.)
Kelvin Taylor, Glades Day (Belle Glade, Fla.)Glades Day did not have a game last week due to Zion Lutheran cancelling its season. Taylor has 11,418 yards in his career and will be back in action for the final regular season game against South Fork (Stuart, Fla.) on Friday.
Keep an Eye OnConner Manning, El Toro (Lake Forest, Calif.)Mission Viejo limited Manning to his lowest yardage total of the season, 215 yards, and intercepted him six times. He previously had only three interceptions for the season. He was also held to one touchdown, another season low. He enters the postseason with 290 completions in 447 attempts for 3,740 yards and 39 touchdowns.
Jalen Hurd, Beech (Hendersonville, Tenn.)Hurd made an impressive return to the Beech lineup after sitting out two weeks with a shoulder injury. He ran 18 times for 238 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 64-28 win over Kenwood (Clarksville, Tenn.) in the first round of the playoffs. Hurd has 2,211 yards on 206 carries with 28 touchdowns.
Austin Kafentzis, Jordan (Sandy, Utah)Jordan won its playoff game with Northridge 49-13 with Kafentzis doing most of his damage on the ground with 185 yards on 19 carries with two touchdowns. He has 1,713 yards rushing on 208 carries with 22 touchdowns. Kafentzis attempted a season-low 10 passes, completing eight, for 98 yards and no touchdowns. He has completed 176 of 281 passes for 2,568 yards and 28 scores.
Shuler Bentley, Byrnes (Duncan, S.C.)Bentley is just four touchdown passes away from tying the state record of 53 after throwing six scoring tosses in a 48-21 win over Wade Hampton (S.C.). He completed 24 of 34 passes for 313 yards in the game and has completed 243 of 367 passes for 3,898 yards and 49 touchdowns.
Cord Sandberg, Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.)Sandberg had a strong outing in a 51-9 win over Sarasota as he completed 11 of 19 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns. For the season he has 120 completions in 170 attempts for 1,737 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Tyler Rouse, Baker (Baldwinsville, N.Y.)Baker's season came to an end with a 35-24 loss to Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse, N.Y.). Rouse had 211 yards on 43 carries with three touchdowns in the loss. He finishes the season with 2,977 yards on 333 carries with 45 touchdowns.
Moving up FastCody Thomas, Heritage (Colleyville, Texas)The top quarterback in the Dallas area and one of the top football-baseball prospects in the country, Thomas has completed 183 of 283 passes for 3,004 yards and 33 touchdowns. He completed 12 of 12 passes for 237 yards and four touchdowns in Heritage's 70-0 win over Turner last week.
