The first week of Alabama high school football brought a little bit of everything: big passing nights, monster rushing totals and a pair of defensive backs who made quarterbacks think twice.
At the top of the Week 1 Player of the Week list are two quarterbacks set for a heavyweight showdown in a matchup featuring the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the state. Thompson’s Trent Seaborn and Clay-Chalkville’s Cornelius Eldridge Jr. both earned nominations after opening their seasons with eye-catching performances.
Seaborn was sharp in Thompson’s 41-14 win over Central-Phenix City, completing 66.7% of his passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged 18.6 yards per completion, and his longest throw went 64 yards.
Eldridge delivered in Clay-Chalkville’s 29-20 win over Creekside (GA), even with a completion rate that was lower than he would have wanted. He finished at 43% through the air, but still piled up 300 yards and threw three touchdowns.
There were plenty of other offensive explosions around the state, too. The senior quarterback came out firing in the season-opening win over Oak Mountain, completing 65% of his passes for 446 yards and four touchdowns while also rushing for 15 yards and one score on nine carries.
Hudspeth was especially efficient in the 30-21 win over Parklane Academy (MS), completing nearly 81% of his passes for 313 yards and one touchdown. He added 25 rushing yards and another touchdown on two carries.
On the ground, Michael Baker of Carbon Hill turned in one of the loudest stat lines anywhere in the country last week. He needed only nine carries to rack up 331 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 36.8 yards per rush.
Green also had a huge night in the 49-27 win over Winfield, rushing for 257 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries.
The receiving side had its own standout showing in the heartbreaking 42-41 loss to Oneonta, where Sales did everything he could in the passing game. He caught eight passes for 263 yards and three touchdowns.
Another senior opened the season with a strong all-around performance in the 56-42 win over Auburn, finishing with five receptions for 166 yards and one touchdown.
Defense made its share of noise, too. Spires shut things down in the 25-16 win over Elba, intercepting three passes and adding three total tackles.
The senior from Ashville was all over the field in the 19-18 win over Springville, finishing with 16 solo tackles, 20 total tackles and seven tackles for a loss.
Gibbs delivered a wrecking-ball performance in the 22-16 win over Robertsdale. He posted nine solo tackles, 12 total tackles, five tackles for a loss, four sacks and three quarterback hurries, while also forcing and recovering a fumble.
Braswell joined the list of defensive backs who made the most of their chances, picking off two passes in Auburn’s 56-42 win while adding two tackles to help the Huskies close it out.
High School on SI voting polls are meant to be a fun, lighthearted way for fans to show support for their favorite athletes and teams. Our goal is to celebrate all of the players featured, regardless of the vote totals.
Sometimes one athlete will receive a very large number of votes - even thousands - and that’s okay. The polls are open to everyone and are simply a way to build excitement and community around high school sports.
Unless we specifically announce otherwise, there are no prizes or official awards for winning. The real purpose is to highlight the great performances of every athlete included in the poll.
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