Top Performers of the Week: Week 5

<em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em> <strong>Trey Petty </strong>| Starkville | QB Starkville has started off the season undefeated, leaning heavily on their new quarterback Trey Petty’s play. In a huge 6A contest with Madison Central, Petty threw for 2 scores and ran for another 3. The sophomore has great poise in the pocket and can throw accurately downfield. In addition, he knows when to take off and make plays on the ground. Really talented young quarterback that has made a name for himself this year. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="126080" first="Jalen" last="Nelson"]</strong> | Northwest Rankin | ATH In a big match up against Meridian, [player_tooltip player_id="126080" first="Jalen" last="Nelson"] did all he could do on both sides of the ball. At quarterback, Nelson totaled 9 carries for 162 yards and 2 TDs. On defense, he had 4 tackles and 2 forced fumbles. Nelson is a playmaker on both sides of the football with athleticism coaches love to see. Looking for him to add some college interest in the coming weeks. <strong>Carter Cockrell</strong> | Simpson Academy | RB One of the MAIS’s best backs finished with a great game last week, totaling 85 rush yards and 2 catches for 152 yards, both going for touchdowns. Cockrell has all the attributes to be a modern day spread runningback. He has great speed out of the backfield and is a natural catcher in the open field. This guy can truly do it all. Looking for him to have another big week next against <strong>Cade Dedeaux </strong>| Sumrall | WR In an absolute shootout against Newton County, Cade Dedeaux was the X-factor. The senior wideout totaled 9 catches for 254 yards and 3 TDs. This could easily be the single best WR performance we have seen this season. Dedeaux is a polished route runner with good hands and speed. He plays his best ball from the outside and has the frame coaches love. Watch for him to add some college interest after his huge night. <strong>Dawson Phillips</strong> | Mooreville | QB In a 70-58 win, Dawson Phillips had a game he will be able to talk about for the rest of his life. The senior quarterback finished with 626 yards in the air, and a grand total of 9 TDs. Phillips and the Mooreville offense were unstoppable, completing any pass they could think of that night. Phillips showed great poise in the pocket and led his receivers downfield. It will be tough to follow up this performance, but keep an eye out for Phillips to set some state records this season. [player_tooltip player_id="107295" first="Isaac" last="Smith"] | Itawamba Agricultural | ATH One of the state’s best 2023 prospects, [player_tooltip player_id="107295" first="Isaac" last="Smith"] was a one man wrecking crew last Friday. On offense, Smith totaled 157 yards and 5 rushing TDs, while on defense he had 2 INTs (1 going for a touchdown as well). Smith is incredibly fast in the open field and breaks on the ball with ease. Smith has had a ton of college attention so far in his career, but don’t be surprised if he is a nation wide known commodity at the end of the year. <strong>Max Walenta</strong> | Jackson Academy | DL The Jackson Academy product put up what could be the single most dominant defensive performance on the year. With 7 TFLs and 6.5 sacks against Pillow Academy, Walenta was unstoppable. This is a big and long kid who gets off the ball fast and uses his length to his advantage. Walenta can quickly get around the edge and finds the quarterback almost every time. He currently leads the state in sacks. [player_tooltip player_id="104206" first="Jarnorris" last="Hopson"] | Horn Lake | ATH The Mississippi State commit showed why he was one of the best players in Mississippi this past weekend. Hopson finished with 10 carries for 158 rushing yards and 3 TDs. Although many project him to play WR at the next level, Hopson has the athleticism to do whatever he wants at the high school level. This is one of the fastest players in Mississippi and can go up against anybody and win. Watching for him to continue dominating the rest of the season.