With the 2015 season upon us we have decided to release a few of our favorites that should have break out seasons. Here are our first 7 of 20 players that we see being in the discussion for potential Mr. Football for the 2015 campaign. (Players are not ranked in no specific order).
Maliek Gray, 2017, Defensive Back, Lavergne High School
Maleik has been a D1Highlights watch list player ever since we started prep sports news three years ago as a freshman. Going into his junior year campaign Gray has notched up several more offers throughout the off season while making his summer tour to showcasing why he’s one of the state’s top talent. Gray helped Lavernge reach the playoffs last season, and is looking to advance further this year after early second round exit against Oakland.
Evan Gowdy and Shedrick Kirk, Both 2016, Defensive Backs, McGavock High School
We had opportunity earlier in the spring to watch Evan and Shedrick up close and personal and we left practice saying to ourselves we now see why McGavock High School Football is back. Both Kirk & Gowdy standing north of 6’0 are long and lean with both athletes looking to be the shutdown “NO FLY ZONE” defensive backs to anchor the Raider defense coming this fall. Gowdy has the ability to take on opposing teams top receiving threats, while also having several opportunities to put points on the board by his punt and kickoff return skills that make him a top talent here in the middle Tennessee area. Shedrick, the other lock down defensive back that will be called upon this fall to make sure opposing teams passing game is minimal to none. Kirk will also be expected to be a main weapon on the offensive side of the ball as one of McGavock’s receiving option with his deep threat capabilities of being able to stretch the field. Really looking forward to this season with these two young men, can they live up to the hype of many local high school football circles? Coming off one of the best regular season records, McGavock is expected to reach the post season and advance further with these two birds flying around the ball. Hawk (Gowdy) and Falcon (Kirk) have the ability to be not just middle Tennessee’s top two duo in the backfield, but all of Tennessee.
Tyrel Dodson, 2016, Linebacker, Centennial High School (Franklin, TN)
Dodson who is coming off a junior season of injuries earlier in the 2014 year has now emerged as D1Highlights and the state of Tennessee’s top linebacker. Dodson is a great kid, great character young man with a smile that will light up a room. However, don’t let this nice guy fool you….once helmet and pads are on Dodson turns into a complete beast on the field. With hands of a receiver and the agility of big bodied running back that he also plays on offense, Dodson is a smart hard hitting middle linebacker that is looking to potentially make a run at this year’s state Mr. Football conversation consideration. With what he brings to the Cougar defense alone is astonishing, not to mention he’ll be a vital option in the rushing attack thus causing him to be in heavy talks in December representing the state of Tennessee as a Mr. Football award winner.
Gentry Bonds, 2017, Defensive Back / Marquise Cantrell, 2016, Defensive Back/Receiver / Marqwell Odom, 2017, Ath,
Murfreesboro Riverdale (Murfreesboro, TN)
Are the 1994, 97′ and early 2000’s days back on Warrior Way? If tradition is right the Warriors are just a year behind winning a state title every ten years dating back to 1994. Coming off a championship in 2004 the Warriors reaching the big dance last season missed out on keeping the tradition alive every ten years. Looking at these three athletes that are coming into their own, Bonds and Odom rising juniors and Cantrell rising senior look to compete to hopefully bring dominance back to the Boro. Bonds with several offers already from University of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt look to anchor with Odom who also runs the offense as the team’s starting quarterback and really makes his presence known as the Warriors other lockdown defensive back. Marquise Cantrell the senior captain will be touted to lead his teammates offensively at the receiver position and at the defensive position shoring up the defensive backfield. Watching him, Marquise could be a steal at the next level as a defensive back. His height, speed, and great hands make him a defensive nightmare in the passing game has his ball hawing abilities and can take any interception back to the house at any moment. Will this be the year the Warriors take a choke hold on Rutherford County programs?
