Each Monday, we’ll post several candidates from the previous week’s games and ask you — our readers — to vote on whom you think is the most deserving. Voting ends at 5 p.m. each Thursday.
This year’s Player of the Week is sponsored by OrthoSouth.
Here are the candidates for Week 12.
Cody Balkin, Germantown: The visiting Red Devils had just taken a 14-10 lead over Clarksville when Balkin delivered one of the plays of the year, stripping the ball carrier on the first play following the kickoff and taking it 20 yards for a touchdown to make it 21-10 with 5:33 left.
Fourth-seeded Germantown went on to hand Clarksville its first defeat, 28-10, as Balkin finished with 11 tackles and two forced fumbles in addition to his return for a touchdown.
Canon Day, Houston: Talk about making a great first impression. In his first start in place of his injured older brother Chandler, the freshman completed 8 of 11 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns while running for 105 more yards on just seven carries with two more scores as the Mustangs rolled past Dickson County in Class 6A, 42-7.
John Hampton, Collierville: The Dragons were part of an impressive sweep for Region 8-6A in the first round of the postseason and Hampton led the way. The senior carried 27 times for 181 yards and scored on runs of 3, 1, 2 and 2 yards as the Dragons handled Rossview, 35-3.
Rico Isom, Middle College: Isom had the best game of his outstanding career as the Bulldogs opened the Class 1A playoffs with a 34-14 win over Halls. He rushed for 307 yards on 23 carries while scoring on runs of 8, 77 and 62. The final two were Middle College’s last two offensive plays of the game.
Jamarion Morrow, Melrose: The Golden Wildcats had a surprise for Obion County in their Class 4A opener. Morrow — who is committed to Missouri — got the start at quarterback in place of Tavarco Jackson and he delivered, carrying eight times for 125 yards and two touchdowns (33, 19) and completing 4 of 7 passes for 55 yards and three scores (28, 12, 5) as Melrose cruised into the second round, 47-7.
Skylan Smith, Covington: Smith has produced several big games this season but his performance against East in their Class 3A first-round game stands out. The Mr. Football semifinalist racked up 253 yards on just 13 carries while scoring on runs of 27, 9, 43, 1 and 43 yards as the Chargers won, 63-7. Smith now has 36 rushing touchdowns on the year and 42 total.
Brody Whittaker, MASE: Whittaker led the Phoenix to touchdowns on all seven of its drives in their Class 1A opener against Lake County, completing 12 of 17 passes for 231 and four touchdowns (23, 27, 21, 6) in a 46-0 victory.
Previous winners
Week 1: Brett Godwin, QB, Lakeland Prep
Week 2: Brady Hughes, QB, MUS
Week 3: Chandler Day, QB, Houston
Week 4: J.D. Donaldson, RB, Briarcrest
Week 5: Hudson Tucker, QB, Briarcrest
Week 6: Bricen Turnage, RB, Munford
Week 7: Landon Parrish, QB, Rossville Christian
Week 8: ... Click here to read full article
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