Henry Daily Herald

Photo by Brian Paglia / Locust Grove quarterback Keenan Wise gets off a pass just before North Clayton linebacker Martavius Harris (3) and defensive back Curdarius Boman (4) get to him.

Each week the Henry Daily Herald will track the progress of potential high school football player of the year candidates throughout the season.

Here is an updated ranking of who’s in the running based on last week’s performances:

1T. Derrick Craine, Union Grove: The senior running back rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries in the Wolverines’ 35-13 victory over Mundy’s Mill in a crucial Region 4-AAAAA, Div. A game. On the season, Craine had rushed for 1,213 yards and 15 touchdowns on 161 carries.

1T. Donovahn Jones, Dutchtown: The senior quarterback and the Bulldogs were off last Friday. Dutchtown returns to action this week against Woodland. On the season, Jones is 79-for-115 passing (68.7 percent) for 1,342 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions and has rushed for 575 yards and five touchdowns on 78 carries.

3. Keenan Wise, Locust Grove: The senior quarterback completed 17 of 27 passes for 224 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions and rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries in the Wildcats’ 35-34 victory over Eagle’s Landing. On the season, Wise is 73-for-150 passing (48.7 percent) for 1,143 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions and has rushed for 674 yards and nine touchdowns on 105 carries.

4. Dalton Etheridge, ELCA: The junior quarterback rushed for two touchdowns, including a 47-yard scoring run, in the Chargers’ 69-6 victory over Strong Rock Christian. On the season, Etheridge has passed for 11 touchdowns and rushed for 11 touchdowns for the No. 1-ranked team in Class A.

5. Cortez McDowell, Locust Grove: The junior wide receiver had one catch for seven yards and rushed for 30 yards on five carries in the Wildcats’ win over Eagle’s Landing. On the season, McDowell has 30 catches for 608 yards and eight touchdowns, has rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries and has two interceptions on defense.