Myers Park QB Brayden Hawkins among Observer-area prep football players of the week

Myers Park quarterback Brayden Hawkins is one of several Observer-area high school football players of the week.

Hawkins was 17-for-28 passing for 178 yards and two touchdowns in Friday’s 28-24 victory over Butler. Myers Park moved to the state playoff quarterfinals, set a school-record for wins (12) and beat Butler for the first time since 1988.

Myers Park advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time in six years.

Here are other players of the week:

Nasjzae Bryant, Mallard Creek: Ran 21 times for 101 yards and a score in a wild 41-33 victory over North Mecklenburg.

Deshaun Christopher, Shelby: After his team scored a late touchdown to take a 26-23 lead at Belmont South Point, he forced a fumble on the next kickoff. Shelby recovered at South Point’s 32 and won 33-23.

Quavaris Crouch, Harding: Had 23 carries for 164 yards and a touchdown in a 17-10 victory over Porter Ridge.

Milan Howard, Charlotte Catholic: Ran 10 times for 92 yards and a touchdown in a 42-7 victory over Stuart Cramer. He caught three passes for 53 yards and a score.

Brady Pope, South Iredell: Threw for 367 yards in Friday’s 41-21 victory over AL Brown. The Charlotte 49ers recruit was 30-for-49 passing for 367 yards and five touchdowns. He now has 10,338 career passing yards and 111 TDs.

DeMarkes Stradford, Charlotte Latin: Led Latin to a 33-0 NCISAA Division II state championship win over rival Charlotte Country Day Friday, in longtime head coach Larry McNulty’s final game. Stradford ran for 144 yards and three touchdowns and became the first 2,000-yard single-season rusher in school history.

This story was originally published November 20, 2017 at 5:33 PM with the headline "Myers Park QB Brayden Hawkins among Observer-area prep football players of the week."