Huntsville-area Player of the Week for playoff opener sets voting record

The Week 12 Huntsville Times Football Player of the Week, from the opening round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs, earned by far the highest percentage of votes of any other player in any preseason preps poll.

Madison Academy quarterback Charleston Owens received 98.75 percent of the 4,074 votes cast. The freshman connected on three touchdown passes in the Mustangs’ 28-7 win over Hokes Bluff. The win was the fifth in a row for coach Bob Godsey’s 7-4 Class 4A squad. Madison Academy hosts 11-0 West Morgan in the second round on Friday.

Owens is the second straight Mustang to earn Player of the Week honors after running back Josh Williams finished at the top last week.

Another freshman, Susan Moore’s Sam Garrison, finished second in the voting after running for 241 yards on 39 carries. Garrison scored all five of the Bulldogs’ touchdowns in a 34-27 win over Class 2A No. 8 Decatur Heritage on Thursday. Susan Moore takes a 6-5 record into a second-round home match against Tuscaloosa Academy.

Fyffe sophomore Ryder Gipson finished third in the voting after scoring four TDs in the Red Devils’ 66-30 win over Ohatchee in the Class 3A playoffs. Gipson finished with 253 yards on the ground with touchdown runs of 53, 4, 8 and 2 yards. Fyffe (8-2) will host Gordo (10-1) on Friday.

This fall, look out for the weekly nominees on Sunday and cast your vote each week.