Mr. Football - Final 4 Candidates

[Purple88]

In putting this together, it is not my intention to snub, overlook, be condescending toward any other player that may be worthy of this award (mostly thinking about players from Johnson Central, Belfry and CAL when I say that). However IMO, the Final 4 contenders for the 2016 Mr. Football Award are (in alphabetical order):

 

1. Spencer Blackburn - SR QB - Trinity Shamrocks

HUDL: Boys Varsity Football - Trinity High School - Louisville, Kentucky - Football - Hudl

(I couldn't find a clip specifically for Blackburn, but added the video of the Lafayette game for your review)

Guided the Shamrocks to their first undefeated season since the super-team back in 2011. Season stats do not include the Championship game: Rushed 102 times for 621 yards and 26 TDs. Passing stats include 160 completions on 234 attempts for 2,355 yards, 32 TDs vs only 3 INTs. Arguably the best player on the best team.

 

Scholarship offers: I have no information here. If T fans could help me out I would appreciate it! :thumb:

 

2. Jamale Carothers - SR RB Bowling Green Purples

HUDL: Jamale Carothers SR Highlights - Jamale Carothers highlights - Hudl

The All-time individual scoring leader for BGHS for a career (514 points) and for a season (232 points). 2015 All-BGP Team. 2016 All-SKY Conference Team. 85 Career TDs. Only Purple to have 10+ TDs rushing and 10+ TDs receiving in the same season.

Stats: 187 Rushes for 1,410 yards and 27 TDs; Receiving 45 catches for 884 yards and 11 TDs. Also awarded the 5A Championship Game MVP Award. For a blend of power, balance and speed, VERY hard not to like Jamale Carothers who played on a LOADED offense but was a workhorse when the Purples needed him last Sunday.

 

Recruiting: Commited to the United States Naval Academy.

 

3. Jake Johnson - SR WR - Pulaski County Maroons

HUDL: Senior Season (216) - Jake Johnson highlights - Hudl

Jake Johnson is now the All-Time State of Kentucky leader for career receptions and career receiving yards. 2015 All BGP Team! Rough numbers for Johnson show he rushed for 173 yards and 2 TDs, 139 catches for 1,613 yards and 18 touchdowns and 3 kick 6's. Clearly the best receiver in the State this season IMO and very versatile. Reached the state final game all 4 years of his career.

 

Recruiting: According to a September 2016 article (all I could easily find), "Jake Johnson has been getting interest from EKU, Purdue, Tennessee Tech and Wofford and hold several offers from smaller lower division schools".

 

4. Walker Wood - SR QB - Lafayette Generals

HUDL: Walker Wood - Hudl

Walker Wood is a terrific dual threat QB. Season stats include 184 rushes for 1,279 yards and 30 TDs. Passing Wood was 203 for 321 for 3,047 yards and 30 TDs vs 11 INTs. Willed the Generals to win at times and played well in the State Championship game in defeat.

 

Recruiting: Arguably his biggest feather; Committed to the University of Kentucky

 

 

Well there you have it! Who you got and why!!!

I am biased here obviously, but am convinced any of the 4 could win a popularity contest to take home the coveted Mr. Football trophy! Good Luck to your favorite!!!

[UK#1fanisback]

Walker Wood has over 60 rushing and 60 passing tds pretty impressive.

[Bluto]

Thanks for putting this together, P88!

[catfan09]

Great job Purple88

 

All fantastic candidates.. Could not go wrong with any of them.

 

According to KHSAA Johnson had 9 INT for 2 TD's also- he's not an every down defensive player. Had a huge pick 6 against South Oldham.

 

Pretty cool to max out all 15 games every year too in which he started each especially at a school that had NEVER reached a State Finals game before his freshman year.

[Mr. Sixer]

An excellent list certainly but I would have included Cooper's Dante' Hendrix in this poll for what he does both on BOTH sides of the ball. Again, my personal opinion and while he may or may not be the best WR I will place him as the #1 DB in KY.

 

Season: (12 games) 72recs, 1405 yards, 20 TDs

Career: 270 recs. 3rd All-time KY, 3106 yards #1 All-time in NKY, 40 TDs #11 All-time in KY.

On defense he led the State in INTs thru week 2 of the playoffs with 6 and had 15 INTs for his career.

 

Again, all of these players are great players and should be considered, I am simply pointing out another player who probably should be included in the conversation.

Dante Hendrix - 2

[Oldercoach]

Great stats and info. Voted for Johnson, but was really torn between him and Carothers. Understand both of these young men are of stellar character besides being outstanding football players. Johnson has raised the bar as a receiver that will be hard to exceed. Obvious the impact on his team when he left the Championship game. Carothers is everything a coach could want on or off the field. Tough choice, went narrowly with Johnson.

[ATLCat]

All 4 very deserving

 

I said a few weeks back that Jake Johnson would have earned my fictional vote and I stick by it... but let me also be the first to say that Spencer Blackburn has been a revelation to me. Just in my humble opinion, but I would have him above Wood... but I also thought Tanner Morgan deserved a spot on the short list of finalists.

 

If I was voting:

1. Jake Johnson- Lifetime achievement award plus this guy has did everything for his team and basically willed them to the State Finals with a pretty "meh" supporting cast.

 

2. Spencer Blackburn- Best player on the best team and he was sensational

 

3. Jamale Carothers- Best player on the 2nd best team. I do feel Carothers had the best supporting cast of playmakers to help take the pressure off him though. With the passing game and receivers BG had he rarely had to face more than a 6 man box.

 

4. Walker Wood- He is a great HS QB..no question.. just can't put him ahead of the three guys above

[W.E. Raider]

I am curious why there seems to be such consensus that T is 1 and BG is 2. Looking at their game against X, T won the first won by 22 while BG won by 21. I hardly viewed this T team on par with those teams that were pretty much untouchable of past years.

 

That said, I putting my vote with the great football player who has also signed up to serve our country!

 

All are deserving, I'm just biased toward Juice.

[Volxtile]

X didn't have their starting quarterback so would've made a different (who knows how big). I think it would be a T wins every 6 or 7 out of 10 against this BG team this year. Both are great teams and since I'm biased I voted for Juice! Every single one of them is deserving though.

[macdon]

X didn't have their starting quarterback so would've made a different (who knows how big). I think it would be a T wins every 6 or 7 out of 10 against this BG team this year. Both are great teams and since I'm biased I voted for Juice! Every single one of them is deserving though.

 

X seems to have a problem with missing QBs.

[UK#1fanisback]

Don't forget Walker Wood went back to back State Finals games.

[macdon]

Neither Blackburn or Johnson are listed on Rivals recruiting.

 

Walker Wood is a three star QB and Jamale Caruthers is a two star RB.

[Blockbuster]

Mr. Football should go to the best senior player in Kentucky. That for me would be Walker Wood.

 

1. Walker Wood

2. Jamale Carrothers

3. Jake Johnson

4. Spencer Blackburn

[FootballBobcat]

Neither Blackburn or Johnson are listed on Rivals recruiting.

 

Walker Wood is a three star QB and Jamale Caruthers is a two star RB.

 

Not trying to sound harsh but what does this have to do with Mr Kentucky football? Rivals does not always get it right. Players get over rated or overlooked all the time.

[psychicscubadiver]

I love Blackburn, but I don't think he has enough buzz to get it. Not having any offers (that I'm aware of) doesn't help either. I think the chippiness of the 6A final game also hurts his and Wood's chances.

 

Carothers has great stats, great buzz, and spearheaded an undefeated team taking back-to-back championships. I think he has the best odds of winning it.