Sports
Gridiron Midseason Player of the Year Watchlist
By: Sean Neidig
Posted on:
With the season halfway over, certain players are starting to separate themselves from the rest of the field. There are only a few more games left for players to prove themselves worthy of being named a finalist for the Gridiron Glory Player of the Year. Here is an update of the front runners in each conference.
TVC-Ohio
Alex Mount, RB, Nelsonville-York
Mount accrued over 1,000 rushing yards for the season on Friday and has given defenses fits all season. Mount is a physical runner and has no trouble finding the end zone.
Hunter Edwards, QB, Nelsonville-York
Edwards has done a great job of putting the Buckeyes in position to score. He can get it done through the air and on the ground, and the N-Y offense has been playing well all year. With him and Mount, opposing defenses have a hard time preparing for the Buckeyes.
Brendan Sano, QB, Athens
Sano actually was moved to tight end early in the year but was moved back under center due to the injury to Trayce Albin and Sano has not looked back since. Sano has led Athens to a 4-1 record as a starter.
TVC Hocking
Jaylen Blanks, RB, Southern
Blanks has missed the past two games and the Tornadoes have struggled without him. Southern has surprised some people this year and Blanks has been a big reason why. One of the fastest and most athletic players in the area, Blanks is able to find holes in the defense and explode through them for big gains.
Isaac Huffman, QB, Waterford
Huffman is a four-year starter and his experience shows on the field. He doesn’t make mistakes and always puts his receivers in a position to make plays. For a team that isn’t used to competing for conference titles every year like they are this year, Huffman’s leadership will be crucial down the stretch.
MVL
Dylan Dupler, QB, Sheridan
Dupler’s pocket awareness and decision making makes him the perfect guy to lead the Generals’ dynamic offense. He is also a good runner. Dupler knows when to escape the pocket and take off and he knows that if he rolls out he’ll probably have a receiver open. Knowing what to do in pressure situations will help Dupler when the playoff race gets tighter.
Nate Baker, QB, Philo
Philo also has a lot of weapons and Baker knows when to use them. Baker also knows how to use his own body. Built like a running back, Baker has no problems taking the snap and immediately taking off down field. His bigger build makes it hard for defenses to bring him down and he keeps the electrics moving towards the end zone.
SEOAL/Columbus Area
Austin Harris, QB, Zane Trace
Harris has been carrying Zane Trace all year from the quarterback position and has the Pioneers at 5-2, and they could be 6-1 if a Hail Mary earlier in the season went the other way. Zane Trace doesn’t have a ton of weapons on offense but Harris keeps the Pioneer offense clicking.
Blake McCoy, Johnny Farley, Bryce Hall, RB/QB, Jackson
It’s almost impossible to decide who’s more important in Jackson’s backfield between running backs Farley, McCoy and dual threat QB Bryce Hall. The trio has the Ironmen scoring more than 40 points per game. Maybe one of those guys will separate from the pack in the last few weeks, but right now it’s too close to pick just one.
The GGPOY finalists will be named in a few weeks and this year’s winner will be announced on our season finale. There are still several weeks left and it’s possible for someone to come on strong and force their way into the conversation, but the players on this list have a leg up. You can voice your opinion on who you think will be named using #GGPOY.