Kennedy Watch

Here’s a look at some of the leading candidates for the Kennedy Award, which goes to the top high school football player in the state as voted on by members of the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. This is not intended as the definitive list; players are added and deleted as the season progresses. Players are listed in alphabetical order: Maxwell Anderson, Morgantown, FB-LB — Week: 11 carries, 99 yards, one touchdown in a 42-7 win over John Marshall; one QB sack; Season: 98 carries, 771 yards, 13 TDs; three TD catches; two interception return TDs. Team record: 9-0 Josh Culbertson, Nitro, RB — Week: 21 carries, 249 yards, five TDs in a 47-7 win over Ripley. Season: 202 carries, 2,253 yards, 29 TDs; TD catch. Team record: 7-1 - Chris Fulmer, Nitro, WR — Week: 10 catches, 226 yards, two TDs in a 47-7 win over Ripley. Season: 56 catches, 979 yards, nine TDs. Team record: 7-1 Paul Goodrich, Calhoun County, RB — Week: 26 carries, 239 yards, three TDs in a 33-6 win over Wirt County; Season: 185 carries, 1,604 yards, 23 TDs. Team record: 7-1 Jeremy James, St. Albans, RB — Week: 23 carries, 58 yards in a 17-0 loss to Hurricane; 1 catch, 23 yards. Season: 211 carries, 1,302 yards, 13 TDs; 13 catches, 115 yards. Team record: 5-3 Corey Lyons, Weir, RB — Week: 14 carries, 153 yards in a 25-6 win over Wheeling Central. Season: 107 carries, 1,101 yards, 11 TDs; TD pass. Team record: 8-1 Marcus Manns, Woodrow Wilson, RB — Week: 23 carries, 274 yards, five TDs in a 34-7 win over Huntington; 0-of-1 passing, interception. Season: 104 carries, 927 yards, 13 TDs; 3-of-5 passing, 69 yards, three TDs; two TD catches; seven interceptions. Team record: 8-0 J.J. Mayer, Robert C. Byrd, QB — Week: 11-of-30 passing, 125 yards, one TD, two interceptions in a 28-7 loss to Parkersburg South; 13 carries, 43 yards. Season: 115-of-239 passing, 1,654 yards, 20 TDs, 13 interceptions; 107 carries, 429 yards, four TDs. Team record: 4-5 Charlie Russell, Morgantown, QB — Week: 5-of-11 passing, 106 yards, one interception in a 42-7 win over John Marshall; 1 carry, 4 yards. Season: 57-of-112 passing, 1,149 yards, 12 TDs, five interceptions. Team record: 9-0 D.J. Taylor, Herbert Hoover, RB — Week: 26 carries, 298 yards, seven TDs in a 55-27 win over Bluefield. Season: 167 carries, 1,707 yards, 25 TDs; kick return TD. Team record: 7-1 Josh Twyman, Martinsburg, RB — Week: 10 carries, 69 yards, two TDs in a 45-9 win over Fort Hill (Md.); 62-yard punt return TD. Season: 185 carries, 1,182 yards, 16 TDs; kick return TD. Team record: 8-1