The race for the Kennedy Award is still wide open after week two with a number of talented players Mountain State-wide putting up impressive numbers.
Still, there are some that are slowly pushing their way to the forefront while others are lagging off.
A few players were finally able to “officially” toss their hats into the ring with their respective first games of the season while others are eagerly waiting for COVID-19 numbers to cooperate so they may make their respective debuts.
So, let us take a look at the second week of the high school football season in West Virginia and just whose names are floating to the top of the statistical pile.
Payne-Free
Defending Kennedy winner Ethan Payne turned in a tough performance in Week 1 against Wheeling Central but was held quiet in Week 2. You can thank a bye week for that. But Payne and the Dots will be back in action, in theory, Friday night against Hurricance.
That “in theory” designation is dependent upon Putnam County schools’ superintendent John Hudson’s decision on whether the district will return to in-person classes by week’s end. Putnam is now in the recently created gold county designation.
If the Dots don’t play, it will be two weeks in a row one of Class AA’s top teams has been sidelined.
Other Frontrunners
Hunter Patterson, Oak Glen
Patterson put on a show against one of Class AA’s top teams in the Keyser Golden Tornado.
Patterson caught 11 passes for 200 yards and a touchdown and had nine carries for 97 yards and two other scores. He nearly notched a second receiving touchdown late in the second quarter, but his apparent scoring dive across the corner pylon was ruled for naught, and Oak Glen fumbled the next play on 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
Patterson and company play host to unbeaten John Marshall this Friday in New Manchester.
Atticus Goodson, Independence
Goodson is proving he’s one of the top multi-sport athletes in the state by continuing to post monster numbers for the Patriots of Independence. In a 55-8 hammering of River View, Goodson found the end zone five times, rushing 11 times for 150 yards in limited work.
Through two games, Goodson has 338 yards and nine touchdowns on 19 carries; that’s an average of nearly a touchdown every other time he touches the ball.
Gage Michael, Fairmont Senior
Fairmont Senior’s senior signalcaller and leader wasted little time in announcing his presence against a tough North Marion team. Michael ran for 237 yards and four touchdowns while throwing for 222 yards in a 41-21 win on the road at Rachel.
This week will be a big test for Michael and the Polar Bears as they play host to the unbeaten and perennial power Bridgeport Indians at East-West Stadium.
Blake Hartman, Musselman
Facing the toughest team in Class AAA, Hartman accounted for 266 yards and five touchdowns on 29 carries against Martinsburg.
Hartman had a successful but limited showing in the Appleman’s opening-week blowout victory, but in this game, despite the defeat, he displayed the ability that fans statewide have come to expect.
Jakob Caudil, Cabell Midland
Calbel Midland’s senior bruiser rushed for 128 yards and two touchdowns as the Knights spread the wealth offensively in rolling past rival Huntington, 42-7.
Still, there was a scary moment late in the game as Caudil had to be helped off the field following a play. Caudil was still in despite the sizable lead and less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. All reports indicate Caudil will be fine.
As of now, the Knights are off this week, giving the senior time to heal up and get ready for the next game. Caudil has 324 yards and six touchdowns through two games.
Naieem Kearney, Kevon Warren, Martinsburg
Kearney and backfield mate Warren both would be here weekly if they played on separate teams, but sharing the same backfield on a talented roster like Martinsburg’s will make it tough to put up the numbers necessary to pull in front of the Kennedy pack.
Still, after the first game out of the gate, it was Kearney that did the bulk of the rushing damage, totaling 127 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries. Included in that total is a lengthy scamper of 73 yards. Conversely, Warren had 66 yards on 13 carries and a score.
Noah Brown, Greenbrier West
Brown rushed 193 yards on 17 carries resulting in three scores in a 49-26 Cavaliers’ victory against Westside. He now has four touchdowns and 308 yards through two games.
Brown and company face a stiffer test this week when they take on Pendleton County.
Jeremiah King, Robert C. Byrd
King rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in a lopsided victory against East Fairmont, one that saw the Eagles spread the wealth offensively.
Still, through two games, the Eagles’ top offensive threat has 473 yards and seven TDs, averages of 236 and 16.9 a game and carry, respectively. RCB faces Preston this week.
Emerging Names
Keon Padmore-Johnson, Spring Mills
Here’s wall you need to know about Padmore-Johnson. Through two games, he’s averaging more than 500 all-purpose yards per game. By himself. That’s more than most teams average.
Last week, he threw for 334 yards and four touchdowns on 15 of 17 passing and ran for 125 and three touchdowns on nine carries.
In two games, he has 661 yards and nine TDs through the air and 392 yards and five on the ground. The Cardinals take on Jefferson this week.
Sam Schuler, Parkersburg South
Parkersburg South’s new signalcaller has put up 300-plus yards in successive games and has warranted a spot on this list. Schuler torched Woodrow Wilson for 393 yards and five touchdowns on 31 of 35 passing.
Through two games, the Patriots’ senior has 732 yards and seven touchdowns against two picks on 60 of 82 passing with a 169.6 QB rating using the NCAA system.
Big Numbers
Anthony Smith, Martinsburg
Smith is better known as an all-state defensive back. Valparaiso recently offered the senior a spot on next season’s roster. It certainly won’t be the first.
But against Musselman, Smith showed some offensive chops, catching seven passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns, including a 60 yarder.
