I was talking to a friend about the concept of trying to compare all of the players from all of the classes of football in Kentucky. My point in the discussion that it's just about an impossible task to try to compare apples to apples. There's not really any feasible way to try to make a definitive call on who is "the best player". My point was that there should at very least be an Offensive Mr. Football and a Defensive Mr. Football.

 

Just hypothetically, how would you suggest comparing the following players?

 

 

Player A) Star wide receiver from a 6A school. Enough players that he only ever plays one way. The team crushes their opponents and pulls starters early in the second half of their games.

 

Player B) Star wide receiver from a 1A school. Plays both ways out of necessity. Leads the team in tackles and interceptions at cornerback as well. Team isn't the greatest, so many/most games aren't in-hand until the 4th quarter. Lots of playing time, and lots of stats to correspond with the playing time.

 

Player C) Pitbull outside linebacker from a 2A school. Leads the team in tackles and sacks. Has a handful of forced fumbles and interceptions. Plays fullback, but the team has no offensive line, so there aren't many offensive stats to speak of.

 

Player D) Offensive tackle for a 5A program. D1 recruit. The team made the state finals his junior year and led 5A in rushing yards, but graduated all of the starting offensive linemen except for him, goes 5-5 in the regular season and gets knocked out in the first round of the playoffs. Starts on the defensive line as well, does decently on D.

 

Player E) Starting quarterback from a 5A team. Plays one way. Team crushes competition and starters are regularly pulled early in the second half of games. Second or third place in stats in the 5A class.

 

Player F) Star running back from a 4A school. The team stinks up the place, but if you get the guy the ball, he still stacks up yards. Has some smaller D1 programs talking to him. Class leader in rushing yardage, lots of receiving yards as well, but not so many touchdowns. Plays some defense and is a team tackle leader.

I’m throwing out C & D instantly and choosing between the other 4 based on stats, their team’s expected success and the impact that they have on that success.

 

I also take into consideration how talented the player is. Without names they appear equal but just letting me see a highlight clip of all four gives me a better feel of how I want to vote.

I’m throwing out C & D instantly and choosing between the other 4 based on stats, their team’s expected success and the impact that they have on that success.

 

I also take into consideration how talented the player is. Without names they appear equal but just letting me see a highlight clip of all four gives me a better feel of how I want to vote.

 

This.

 

I will add that context is very important. Stats are just a guide to consideration. They are not the deciding factor. Stats; how they were compiled; who they were compiled against; the eye test (is this player "special"); next level talent. All those factors have to be considered IMO.

Eliminate B, a "so-so 1A team" and a Mr. Football candidate should never be synonymous Typically all it takes is one great player to make a 1A team a very good team. I also would be concerned with the bets player on a 1A team being their WR when they are "so so".

 

I would give C a lot more credit if I could actually trust Defensive Statistics. Unfortunately in this state it is far easier to assume the Tackles, Sacks, and TFL's are drastically over inflated rather than assume they are accurate.

 

As for D, I am all for linemen love, but they need to be a special player on a special team. If you said D was an All- American recruit on a 9-1 team ranked #1 in the State with the State's most dominant Offense then suddenly we are listening.

 

 

Player F may be All-State worthy, but he is not Mr. Football worthy if his team is constantly getting beat. Stats will most likely be inflated because A) He may be getting snaps against JV Defenses B) A bad team typically will be scheduling other bad teams

A) Rondale Moore

B) ?

C) ?

D) Zack Ferris

E) AJ Mayer

F) ?

A) Rondale Moore

B) ?

C) ?

D) Zack Ferris

E) AJ Mayer

F) ?

 

I was very honestly trying not to reference any specific players because I think the territorial nature of reporting and which teams/players people (including AP reporters) follow creates a real issue with people's ability to remain objective.

I was very honestly trying not to reference any specific players because I think the territorial nature of reporting and which teams/players people (including AP reporters) follow creates a real issue with people's ability to remain objective.

 

My apologies for bringing up the names, those 3 jumped out at me.

 

If I had a vote, my criteria would be Stats solely to qualify for my vote, then eye test (how they play against their toughest competition and through adversity), then players impact on their team, then their teams impact in their class. Just my opinion.