Virginia’s high school football scene produced plenty of fireworks during the Oct. 8-10 window, and this week’s Player of the Week poll is packed with big passing nights, monster receiving totals, and a few defensive standouts who stuffed the stat sheet.
A handful of performances jumped off the page. The St.
James’ Kash Carter helped engineer a comeback against St. Frances Academy, Bishop O’Connell’s Ryan Turpin lit up the scoreboard with five passing touchdowns, and James Wood’s Xavier Price turned in one of the biggest receiving outings of the week.
Carter threw three second-half touchdown passes to rally The St. James past St. Frances Academy (MD), 28-20.
Turpin, a senior quarterback, finished 10 of 16 for 265 yards and five touchdowns in Bishop O’Connell’s 34-7 victory over Bishop Ireton.
Price, a senior wide receiver, caught 10 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns and also added an eight-yard rushing score as James Wood outlasted Millbrook, 63-49.
Huguenot’s Lewis delivered a huge day of his own, grabbing six receptions for 138 yards and four touchdowns in a 62-17 win over Monacan.
Oakton’s Martin, a senior quarterback, tossed five touchdown passes to fuel a 42-38 comeback win over South Lakes.
Langley sophomore receiver Mejia made noise in multiple ways, putting up eight carries for 172 rushing yards and three touchdowns while also catching seven passes for 136 yards and two scores in a 49-7 rout of Wakefield.
Tuscarora’s Elian, a senior running back, posted 16 carries for 216 rushing yards and four touchdowns, plus an eight-yard passing touchdown, in a 60-21 win over Dominion.
Indian River’s Hughes, also a senior, ran 17 times for 136 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-13 victory over Nansemond River.
Blacksburg’s Strahm was just as explosive on the outside, hauling in four catches for 203 yards and four touchdowns in a 51-20 win over Hidden Valley.
On the defensive side, Woodgrove’s Gause made his presence felt with 12 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and a fumble recovery in a 47-13 win over Heritage.
John Champe freshman quarterback Graves was sharp in the passing game, going 20 of 24 for 296 yards and five touchdowns in a 48-14 victory over Riverside.
And Lake Braddock linebacker Podsednik piled up 14 tackles, including seven solo stops and two tackles for loss, in a 28-14 win over Woodson.
Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 11, and the winner will be revealed in next week’s poll.
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