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 2024 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.
Kane Archer of
Greenwood is the 2024 MaxPreps Arkansas High School Football Player of the Year. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior quarterback led the Bulldogs to a 13-0 record and a second consecutive 6A state championship.
Archer broke a national record by completing 81.5 percent of his passes
this season. He completed 247 of 303 attempts for 3,880 yards and 57
touchdowns against just two interceptions. Also dynamic on the ground, he ran for 795 yards and 10 more scores.
Greenwood is 26-0 over the past two seasons thanks in part to the play of record-setting quarterback Kane Archer, who threw more touchdown passes (57) than incompletions (56) in 2024. (Photo: Justin Manning)
In a 61-35 win over Shiloh Christian (Springdale) in the state championship game, Archer completed 22 of 29 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns to go with 18 carries for 131 yards and four more scores. It was Greenwood's 26th straight win dating back to the 2023 season-opener.
Archer threw for 1,010 yards and 13 touchdowns in three playoff games, adding 26 carries for 212 yards and five more scores. He recorded eight 300-yard passing games and tossed five or more TD passes in seven contests.
247Sports regards Archer as one of the top 20 junior quarterbacks in the country and the No. 3 Class of 2026 prospect in the state of Arkansas. He has landed 18 FBS offers including Arkansas, Florida State, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas A&M.
Each state's MaxPreps Player of the Year will be considered for inclusion in the MaxPreps All-America Team.
Past MaxPreps Arkansas Players of the Year
2020 — Joseph Himon, RB, Pulaski Academy (Little Rock)
2021 — Joseph Himon, RB, Pulaski Academy
2022 — Jalen Dupree, RB, Malvern
2023 — Drake Lindsey, QB, Fayetteville
