It’s hard to believe that the high school football season is at the halfway point, and region play is set to start this week for almost every school in the area.
Despite it being the halfway mark, there are plenty of storylines and several potential Player of the Year candidates. Let it be known that this is not an official list, and region play, as well as the playoffs, can thrust anyone into the Player of the Year discussion.
DJ Booth, Sacred Heart, RB
Booth was a solid player for Sacred Heart, but this season, the senior has elevated his game. The workhorse running back has scored in every game this year, as he rushed for 641 yards and 10 touchdowns. More impressively, he has run the ball 98 times this season and averages 6.5 yards per carry. Booth has helped carry Sacred Heart to a special season and the Crusaders have emerged as the favorite to win their region title because of the stud running back.
Moses Cummings, Purvis, RB
It’s no surprise that Cummings lands on this list as the most prolific running back in the area. He is just 54 yards away from surpassing the 1,000-yard mark. Keep in mind, he ran for over 1,200 yards last year. So far, he has run for 946 yards and 12 touchdowns and averages 7.5 yards per carry in 126 carries. If the Tornadoes can make a deep playoff run, he could easily win the honor of being named the Player of the Year. If not, he is the favorite to be selected as the area’s offensive MVP.
Terrance Horne, FCAHS, WR/RB
The main storyline for FCAHS is if they could find a player that could somehow match the production of Keeghan Rodgers, who won the Player of the Year honor last season. Although Horne’s numbers aren’t quite as eye-popping as Rodgers,’ he is used in every aspect of the game, just like Rodgers. Horne is the team’s leading rusher and receiver and can throw a pass as well. He has 616 all-purpose yards and has scored five times. His efforts has been critical in the Aggies rattling off four straight wins.
AJ Maddox, Oak Grove, QB
The Texas A&M commit has lived up to his reputation this year. Maddox has not only helped lead the Warriors to a perfect 5-0 record but also helped them achieve the undisputed No. 1 ranking in Mississippi. Maddox has thrown for 1,115 yards, 14 touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 65% of his passes. Credit has to be shared with his talented receiving corps, but there are no signs of Maddox slowing down.
Kyron Murphy, Sacred Heart, QB
After coming off a collarbone injury from last season, Murphy has been close to perfect and critical in Sacred Heart’s 5-0 start. Let’s not forget that the Crusaders finished last season 2-8, primarily due to Murphy’s absence. This season, Murphey has completed 60% of his passes, has thrown for 817 yards, 10 touchdowns and just one interception.
Cephus Pruitt, North Forrest, RB
Although the Eagles’ 2-4 record may not give Pruitt enough credit, North Forrest is still on the verge of achieving a turnaround season. Pruitt’s effort has been the backbone for the recent success at North Forrest as he has run for 632 yards and eight touchdowns on 50 carries. That’s an average of 12.64 yards per carry.
Tavares Wade, Hattiesburg, RB
Wade had a prolific sophomore season, only to be somewhat forgotten after going down with a season-ending injury in the first game of his junior year. Wade is the epitome of a bruiser running back, as he has rushed for 699 yards and 11 touchdowns on just 64 carries. That comes to an average of 10.9 yards per carry. As powerful of a runner as he is, Wade has breakaway speed, and he has certainly helped Hattiesburg’s offense click on all cylinders as of late.
PJ Woodland, Oak Grove, DB/WR
Woodland is the area’s reigning Defensive MVP from last year. Yet this season, the Mississippi State commit has gotten it done on both sides of the ball. As a receiver, Woodland has hauled in 18 catches for 404 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, Woodland has returned two interceptions for touchdowns, along with recording 19 tackles.
COY Candidates
The jury is still out on candidates for coaoch of the year, but there are several notable stories unfolding. For starters, Oak Grove’s Drew Causey is currently leading the undisputed No. 1 team in the state. An undefeated season along with winning state in the first season of Class 7A.
Sacred Heart’s Ed Smith has the Crusaders on their first-ever 5-0 start. What’s crazier is that Sacred Heart, which was 2-8 last year, has the best record in 1A South. Can the Crusaders make a run for state?
Hattiesburg’s Tony Vance knew his team had the talent to make a playoff run, but with the recent injury bug hitting Class 6A favorite Picayune, the road to state looks much easier. The Tigers seem to have overcome their early issues and are set for a collision course with West Jones.
Finally, Todd Lowery has North Forrest finally trending in the right direction. The Eagles have had a tough non-region schedule as they have dropped three straight, all of them being close losses. Still, the program is light years ahead of where it has been and winning a region title is a very realistic goal. It could be one of the best and biggest turnarounds in high school football this season.
Finally, FCAHS’ Larry Dolan has won four straight and despite losing a special player in Keeghan Rodgers has found a way to win as they sit at 4-1, but can they beat Columbia?
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