We have passed the midpoint of the 2016 high school season, which means that the Mr. Football watch list is shrinking to only legitimate candidates. The race for this award is still wide open heading into the final two months of the season, but these are the top choices for Mr. Football through seven weeks. Keep in mind, this is not a top recruit list. Many of the top recruits in KY are not putting up the stats that warrant their name being on this list.

Jamale Carothers, Running Back, Bowling Green- Carothers has jumped to second on BG’s all-time scoring list with an incredible start to the 2016 season. The Navy-commit has 557 yards on the ground and 438 receiving yards for a total of 17 touchdowns in seven games. If Carothers were to win, the Purples would have their second Mr. Football in the last three seasons.

Jake Johnson, Wide Receiver, Pulaski County- Johnson can be listed as whatever position the voters want him as in 2016. Johnson has has scored on a pick six (he has three interceptions total), a kick return, punt return, passing, rushing, and receiving. He has 49 receptions and five receiving touchdowns and 11 total touchdowns in six games.

Jarod Lonaker, Quarterback, Cooper- The Jaguars like to toss the ball around, and Lonaker has taken full advantage of that in 2016. Lonaker has 2,013 yards in the air for 20 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He is less than 100 yards shy of the school record for yards in a season and Cooper has only played seven games.

Kent Phelps, Running Back, Paintsville- The Wofford-commit is enjoying his senior season with 694 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. His stats would be even more gaudy if he had the opportunity to play in the second half. Paintsville has blown in all but two games in 2016, meaning that Phelps doesn’t see much action late in games.

Cameron Racke, Quarterback, Simon Kenton- The Pioneers continue to go about their business in 2016 as they are still undefeated at this point. A big portion of their success comes from Racke. The senior QB is 70/104 for 1,039 yards and 15 touchdowns. He has also run for 455 yards and six scores.

Cash Jones, Quarterback, McCracken County- If the Mustangs were to reach the state championship, there is a realistic chance Jones could throw for 50 touchdowns. Through seven games, Jones has 26 touchdowns in the air and only four interceptions.

Cole Bentley, Lineman, Belfry- Bentley and the offensive line have become the face for a Belfry team that will most likely sprint to a 3A championship this season. The Louisville-commit is on an offensive line that aids a rushing attack that puts up 330 yards per game.

Clark Payne, Quarterback, Bowling Green- If the Purples’ defense wasn’t strong enough to win games, the duo of Carothers and Payne should get the job done. Payne has 21 passing touchdowns and only two picks while completing 71% of his passes. Payne went 24/27 for 415 yards against Central Hardin to show he was for real.

Just missed the list

 

Tanner Morgan, Quarterback, Ryle

Jordan Gunter, Wide Receiver, Ballard

Hunter Perdue, Running Back, Bullitt East

Trey Huntsman | Kentucky Sports Radio

No Dante Hendrix?

No Walker Wood on this list......

Wood is a legitimate candidate. That is a glaring omission.

Dante's stats as of now. GP REC Yds AVG Y/G Long TD

16-17 Senior Varsity 7 40 844 21.1 120.6 72 12

 

How can he be left off this list?

Dante's stats as of now. GP REC Yds AVG Y/G Long TD

16-17 Senior Varsity 7 40 844 21.1 120.6 72 12

 

How can he be left off this list?

 

If he left Walker Wood off this list and he was on the Pre-Season list, then I'd say he doesn't know anything about him.

KSR is worthless.

If he left Walker Wood off this list and he was on the Pre-Season list, then I'd say he doesn't know anything about him.

 

Agreed!

Nice to see Cameron Racke is on the list.

Great to see Cash Jones on the list!

If Caruthers gets the all time points leader at Bowling Green, while going 15-0 with a state championship, he gets the nod IMO

Dante's stats as of now. GP REC Yds AVG Y/G Long TD

16-17 Senior Varsity 7 40 844 21.1 120.6 72 12

 

How can he be left off this list?

 

And 5 interceptions and a pick 6 on defense playing CB.

Wood is a legitimate candidate. That is a glaring omission.

 

He should be a front runner plus he is a UK recruit.

And 5 interceptions and a pick 6 on defense playing CB.

 

The boy can ball for sure!! He should be Top 3 in my opinion.

Simon Kenton's Cameron Racke is 76/114 1097 67% 16 tds 2 ints, 525 yards rushing 9 tds, 3 catches 44 yards and 6 punts 226 yards. He also has 4,911 career passing yard 55 tds and 2,126 yards rushing 35 tds.