HONORABLE MENTION
Brendon Harris, Baylor: He ran 22 times for 118 yards and a touchdown and also had a 10-yard TD catch in a 28-20 first-round upset win at Ensworth.Sawyer Kelley, South Pittsburg: The senior ran 11 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns and also had four solo tackles and a fumble recovery in the Pirates’ 41-0 first-round win over Monterey.Adam Mullis, Bradley Central: He ran 25 times for 177 yards and two touchdowns in the Bears’ 41-34 first-round win over Science Hill.Michael McGhee, Central: The junior ran 15 times for 164 and two touchdowns, helping the Purple Pounders rally for a 45-42 playoff win over Sullivan South.Malaki Webb, Dade County: He ran 30 times for 297 yards and two touchdowns, plus a two-point conversion. And he made seven solo tackles.
Neither the big stage of the playoffs nor an opposing defense designed to put the game's outcome in his hands proved to be too much pressure for Red Bank sophomore quarterback Madox Wilkey.
Much as he did throughout the regular season, the 6-foot, 185-pound first-year starter rose to the challenge, completing 28 of 31 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Lions to a 21-13 win over Sequatchie County last Friday in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs.
For that performance, Wilkey has been named the Waffle House All-Star area player of the week as chosen by the Times Free Press.
"What stood out most was just how he managed the game with such a calmness and confidence," Lions coach Chad Grabowski said. "Sequatchie County stacked its defense at the line to take away Zay (Brown) and our run game and force us to throw the ball to beat them.
"Madox did a great job of getting the ball into the hands of the playmakers around him and keeping us in good situations."
Brown, an 1,800-yard rusher this season, was limited to 61 yards on 16 carries, but Wilkey more than picked up the slack. He completed his first 14 passes and for the game connected with junior Calvin Jackson on 12 passes for 115 yards and a TD and also hit David Cosby on nine throws for another 109 yards and a score.
"I've got to give all the credit to my offensive line," Wilkey said after the game. "And my receivers made a lot of plays and fought for extra yards, too. It was a great team effort. If we play like we can, we can play with anyone."
Jackson was the team's quarterback last season, but Wilkey's ability helped coaches decide they could move Jackson to receiver, where he has thrived and given the offense another weapon in space.
For the season Wilkey has competed better than 67 percent of his passes for 1,828 yards and 16 TDs. With pressure on every possession against the Indians, he completed all nine third-down attempts, converting each one into a first down.
"Converting so many third downs was really big," Grabowski added. "When you're perfect on third down, that's when you know you're managing the game.
"We knew he was a good middle school player and thought he could be ready. The beginning is always rough, and with him being a sophomore you knew there would be bad reads or moments, but as the season has gone on he's shown a tremendous amount of maturity. He's seen the speed of the game now and has adjusted to the point we have all the confidence in the world in him."
Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.