MVPs of Missouri High School Football District Round

Mid-November in Missouri means the leaves are almost all turned and the weather dips into freezing temperatures. While the climate may change in the atmosphere, the action on the football fields is heating up as the contestants get narrowed down. Multiple schools won district championships Friday and these are some of the players who were difference-makers. [caption id="attachment_70123" align="alignleft" width="294"]<img class=" wp-image-70123" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/seth-2.jpg" alt="" width="294" height="196" /> <br />Photo: dirtandturfphoto.com[/caption] QB [player_tooltip player_id="37594" first="Seth" last="Marcione"], Junior, DeSmet Jesuit (6'2, 190) The junior, who didn't even start at the beginning of the season, has taken tight control of the Spartans' offensive reins. In the district championship game, Marcione threw for 323 yards. But his most impressive play was a 41-yard scamper down the middle of the field where the bruising runner simply would not go down. Maybe its from being around RBs [player_tooltip player_id="37165" first="Taj" last="Butts"] and [player_tooltip player_id="37166" first="Rico" last="Barfield"], but Marcione had his offensive linemen going crazy as he drug defenders to the end zone. Marcione is a productive runner, has good touch on short to intermediate throws and is calm in the pocket. As he adds strength, his deep passing accuracy will improve. His play on Friday should get college coaches attention as well.     <img class="alignright wp-image-70130" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/20201114_153149.jpg" alt="" width="404" height="254" />ATH/QB [player_tooltip player_id="37243" first="TJ" last="Atkins"], Senior, Cardinal Ritter (6'1, 186) ATHLETE...that is [player_tooltip player_id="37243" first="TJ" last="Atkins"]. He is a committed WR to Southern Illinois but his coach and squad needed him to play QB this season. Low and behold, the man might be a college recruitable quarterback. He sure played like one Friday, throwing for three scores and making plays with his legs and arm. Atkins is a guy you toss a basketball, baseball, soccer ball and he will make magic happen. As the senior has grown into the position, his field vision has greatly improved and has his mastery of the offense. CRCP has tons of young talent but Atkins' play is the key to a state championship run. QB Dylan Hair, Sophomore, Blair Oaks (5'10, 170) Hair still has a bright future ahead of himself but right now he is staying and playing in the moment. The young gun was on fire Friday Night, tossing five touchdowns and adding one on the ground. The playoffs are typically when the upperclassmen take over but Hair played like a senior and commanded the offense. Throwing quick slants, out routes or deep balls, Dylan used touch and accuracy to find the open man and make plays all night. Actually, not all night as he got a break in the second half of the blowout win. Keep an eye on the Blair Oaks sophomore as one to watch moving forward. QB Tyger Cobb, Junior, Hallsville (5'10, 165) Speed, quickness and a nose for the end zone defines Cobb. As a passer, Cobb has a compact, snap release and solid touch down field. But he wins in the pocket with his ability to run. Smooth to avoid defenders, the junior had three rushing touchdowns and a passing score in a major win on Friday Night. Cobb is the catalyst to the high-powered offense of Hallsville and he is revving that engine deep into the playoffs. [caption id="attachment_70124" align="alignleft" width="170"]<img class=" wp-image-70124" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/rico-2.jpg" alt="" width="170" height="255" /> <br />Photo: dirtandturfphoto.com[/caption]     RB [player_tooltip player_id="37166" first="Rico" last="Barfield"], Senior, DeSmet Jesuit (6' 190) As good as teammate Seth Marchione played, Barfield was the MAN on Friday Night to help the Spartans lock down another district championship. Rushing for 168 yards on 18 carries, Barfield's nose for the end zone was the reason DeSmet won. The Ball State commit has uncanny vision, balance and burst to the hole. A true one-cut runner, Barfield may not have long homerun speed but he is rarely caught from behind. His running style wears down defenses and his ball security is paramount, especially in the cold months.   <img class="alignright wp-image-59804" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/20201010_191612.jpg" alt="" width="243" height="162" />RB [player_tooltip player_id="37188" first="Amar" last="Johnson"], Senior, Chaminade (5'11, 180) This will be a quick write up because Johnson has appeared in this column three times and rightfully so. He is a true #BellRinger who lead his team to a blow out win on Friday. Five touchdowns and 181 yards is a MVP night. Chaminade will win a state championship if Johnson continues to play how he has the last month.   <img class="wp-image-70131 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/20201114_153124.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="267" />RB Jaylin Carson, Junior, Lutheran North (6' 190) LN produces dominant football players and Carson is the next in line. The powerful runner is deceptively fast, hits the crease with a burst while running under his pads and rarely goes down on first contact. His three touchdown performance on Friday Night was just a teaser to who this player will become in the future. Look for Carson to pick up multiple college offers in the coming months.         RB [player_tooltip player_id="37173" first="Bill" last="Jackson"], Senior, Cardinal Ritter (5'11, 194) Jackson has been producing at a high level for years but in this his senior campaign, the Tulsa commit is the go-to guy in CRCP's offense. Jackson ran for 177 yards and rang the touchdown bell twice in the win on Friday. Jackson is a well-built, decisive runner who has good hands. He can blast through the interior gap or has the speed to slide along the offensive line and hit a glorious run to the outside. The <a href="https://prepredzone.com/missouri/rankings/2021-rankings/">fourth-ranked running back</a> in the state in the preseason has lived up to that billing. RB Cayden Glaze, Junior, Festus (5'7, 165) Festus seems to have a player step up each week as the squad keeps marching through the season and playoffs. Add Glaze to the list. The fireball back accounted for two touchdowns, including a 72 yard scamper that set the tone for the whole game. The scat back has shake for days with his compact running style and can stick his foot in the ground and go. One of the things I appreciate about Glaze is his willingness to block. He is a tough joker and is not afraid to drop the hammer. If Glaze continues to tow the line in the run game, Festus will be a tough team to beat. RB [player_tooltip player_id="37437" first="Colby" last="Ott"], Senior, R7 (5'11, 190) The foot quickness on Ott is like a tap dancer. He used those sweet feet to prance into the end zone FIVE times on Friday Night is a fantastic win for the district championship. The future college baseball player may want to think about strapping the pads on in college as he accounted for 156 rushing yards and 75 more receiving. Ott is a fun player to root for and if continues to lead his team like he did Friday Night, he might have a ring to go with his dancing shoes. <img class="alignright wp-image-70132" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/20201114_153134.jpg" alt="" width="121" height="161" />RB [player_tooltip player_id="37312" first="Damien" last="French"], Senior, Hannibal (6'1, 195) I have extolled the talents of French as an all-state talent on this website and the senior is living up to that hype in the playoffs. French ran for 226 yards and crossed the goal line four times as Hannibal claimed another district championship. French is high-cut runner who can stretch the field once he hits the hole. He is always bursting ahead and falling forward for positive yards. Once he gets to college and adds lower body strength, he will be a 1,000 yard rusher on that level as well. If I was a college coach, French would be offered yesterday.   RB Gerry Marteen Jr, Junior, Battle (5'9, 180) Not only is Marteen a district champion but he is one of the better 2022 running backs in a state with a bunch of them. When I do the next rankings, I promise you Marteen Jr. will be close to the top. The junior rushed for three touchdowns in the win Friday and accounted for plenty of offensive fireworks. His balance is uncanny, he has stop and start ability and he sets up his blocks extremely well. If Marteen gets the edge, he is scoring. The Battle runner is an ascending player in the playoffs and in the recruiting circles. <img class="alignright wp-image-70135" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/11/20201114_155836.jpg" alt="" width="319" height="267" />CB Spencer Cupp, Senior, Platte County (5'10, 180) The <strong>PLAY</strong> of the district championship game versus Staley was the force fumble by Cupp. Add on the interception he procured and the senior cornerback deserves the MVP nod. Platte County produces solid football players and champions year after year. Cupp fits that mold as a savvy defender who sticks his nose in on the tackle and plays angles well in pass coverage. By beating a powerhouse on Friday Night, Cupp helped his team pave the way to another state championship run. If the senior continues to play at this level, the trophy will be back in Platte City.  