Johnathan Gray Named High School Football America's Player of the Year

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

All three of our finalists were deserving of being called the first-ever High School Football America Player of the Year, but in the end Aledo High School's (Texas) Johnathan Gray's three consecutive state titles paved the way to him being named our top player in 2011.

Gray, who set the national record for touchdowns in a career with 205, beat-out Kenton (Ohio) quarterback Maty Mauk and wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham of Hillcrest (Missouri) for the national honor.

The University of Texas recruit finished his career with 10,908 yards, which was just 330 yards shy of the all-time national rushing record.

Click here to listen to my interview with Gray back in October on the High School Football America radio show.

Texas Quarterback Named Player of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Former Tivy High School (Kerrvile, TX) quarterback Johnny Manziel is the 2011 National High School Coaches Association's Football Player of the Year.

Manziel, who's already enrolled at Texas A&M, finished his high school career with over 11,600 yards in total offense.  The 6-1, 195-pounder completed over 63% of his passes (520 of 819) for 7,626 yards and 76 touchdowns.  In his senior season, Manziel tossed 45 touchdown passes with only five interceptions.

In addition to a strong right arm, Manziel rushed for 4,045 yards and 77 touchdowns.

**Jeff Fisher is host of the NHSCA Sports Hour that airs LIVE every Sunday from 6-7 PM EST on the Artist First Radio Network

East Beats West in U.S. Army All-American Bowl

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

If you tuned-in to watch the best high school football players in America put on a great show in the annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, you were disappointed.

The East beat the West 13-10 in a game that didn't have much excitement. The West amassed minus-20 yards rushing thanks to 12 sacks by the East defense.

The real show in this annual game is the announcement by the blue chip players on where they will play their college ball.

This year 14 players made their announcements before the national television audience on watching on NBC.

Demetrius Hart (Dr. Phillips HS, FL) was named the game's MVP after becoming the first player to rush for 100-yards in the game. Hart, who earlier in the week was named the U.S. Army National Player of the Year, confirmed his commitment to Alabama during the game.

Here's the list of those that made their verbal commitments during the game...

Odell Beckham - Isadore Newman, LA - LSU
Brent Calloway - Russellville HS, AL - Auburn
Kris Frost - Butler HS, NC - Auburn
Dee Hart - Dr. Phillips HS, FL - Alabama
Gerold Holliman - Miami Southridge HS, FL - Louisville
Harvey Langi - Bingham HS, UT - Utah
Colt Lyeria - Oregon
Wayne Lyons - Dillard HS, FL - Stanford
Villami Moala - Hillsboro HS, OR - Cal
James Sample - Central Catholic HS, OR - Washington
Tobias Singleton - Madison Central, MS - Mississippi
Donovan Smith - Owings Mills - Penn St.
Damian Swann - Grady HS, GA - Georgia
Lateek Townsend - Marlboro HS, SC = Clemson

Pennsylvania Player Named Maxwell Football Club's National Player of the Year

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Florida recuit Sharrif Floyd of George Washington High School is the Maxwell Football Club's 2009 National High School Player of the Year.

The two-way lineman led GW to its third straight Philadelphia Public League title this past season. The 6-3, 305-pounder will be honored at a March 5th dinner in Atlantic City along fellow Players of the Year...Colt McCoy (College) of Texas and Drew Brees (Pros) of the New Orleans Saints.