The Lootpress Player of the Week Award sponsored by Mid-State Ford, Dutch Miller Automotive, Little General and The Law Offices of Brandon Steele has returned for the second year.
Below are the candidates for the first week of the prep football season. Voting will close Tuesday at 11:59 P.M. The fan vote will be used in the event of a tie. There are also changes to the Player of the Week voting pertaining to the top overall vote getter that you can read about here.
The top overall vote getter will advance to our Community Choice poll at the end of the regular season where the winner of that poll will receive a $500 scholarship.
In order for a player to be eligible or nominated, the stat keeper or coach must report all scores and statistics. Scores can be reported to Tylerjackson@lootpress.com and Rustyudy@lootpress.com.
- Kadien Vance, Westside – Vance, who won the Week 1 POTW award last year, got off to a fast start again. The junior QB was 7 of 17 passing for 128 yards and a touchdown, adding a pair of two-point conversion completions. As a runner he picked up 115 yards and three more touchdowns to lead the Renegades to a 60-6 win over Wyoming East. See it here.
- Trey Bowers, Independence – The two-time all-stater and state champ flexed his muscles to open his senior campaign. Bowers was 6 of 9 passing for 203 yards and two touchdowns, adding 93 yards and three more scores on the ground. Read about it here.
- Cooper Ridgeway, James Monroe – Ridgeway opened his senior season with a resounding performance against perennial contender Wheeling Central on the road. Ridgeway rushed for 148 yards and four touchdowns while catching four passes for 64 yards in a 45-33 win in Wheeling. Read about it here.
- Ryan Oliveros, Summers County – Oliveros was dynamite to open the season. Like his peers on this list, he dominated in two phases, rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns while catching seven passes for 143 yards and two scores in a 47-22 win against PikeView. Read about it here.
- Cole Vandall, Greenbrier West – Vandall was 10 of 17 passing Friday night, throwing for 115 yards and connecting on two touchdown passes. As a runner he picked up 51 yards on eight carries in a 41-7 win against Pendleton County. Read about it here.
- Elijah Waller, Beckley – Waller was electric from the jump, returning the opening kickoff 88 yards for a score and adding a rushing touchdown in the Flying Eagles’ rout of foe Riverside in Van Meter Stadium. See it here.
- Dominick Collins, Princeton – Collins was his usual self with the ball in his hands Saturday. He accumulated 206 all-purpose yards, catching five passes for 95 yards and a score, running the ball six times for 49 yards and two more scores and returning a punt 62 yards for one more touchdown in a win at Lincoln County. Read about it here.
- J.D. Mauritz, Oak Hill – Mauritz toted the ball 17 times for 88 yards and the deciding score as Oak Hill rallied from a 10-0 second-half deficit to defeat Nicholas County 14-10 Friday in Oak Hill. See it here.
- Kaiden Sims, Meadow Bridge – Sims carved the ball 17 times for 106 yards and a touchdown Friday while also adding 10 tackles and an interception for the Wildcats who beat Van 24-12.
- Jayden Roop, Midland Trail – Roop ran for 132 yards and three touchdowns Friday as Midland Trial traveled to Class AA Clay County Friday and pick dup a 22-14 win. Read about it here.
