Shelby’s Hollifield, South Pointe’s Kendrick named national player of year finalists

Two Charlotte-area players are up for the nation’s biggest high school football award.

Shelby linebacker Dax Hollifield and Rock Hill South Pointe quarterback Derion Kendrick were named two of the six finalists for the U.S. Army national player of the year award Tuesday.

The US Army player of the year award is given to the nation’s most outstanding senior and is recognized as the most prestigious in the sport.

Kendrick, a Clemson commit, has throw for 2,546 yards and 28 touchdowns, completing 173-of-241 passes. He’s rushed for 1,077 yards and 18 touchdowns on 110 carries. He’s led South Pointe into Saturday’s S.C. 4A state championship against Hartsville. The Stallions will try to win a fourth straight state title.

Hollifield, who is uncommitted for college, has played in 62 high school football games, a record for a N.C. public school player. Shelby will play at Lenoir Hibriten in a N.C. semifinal. The Golden Lions are trying to win a fifth straight state championship.

For the season, Hollifield, has 136 tackles, seven sacks and a blocked punt. He has 29 tackles for a loss.

Two N.C. players have won the award previously: Charlotte Catholic RB Elijah Hood won in 2014, and Independence QB Chris Leak won in 2003.

This story was originally published November 28, 2017 at 12:16 PM with the headline "Shelby’s Hollifield, South Pointe’s Kendrick named national player of year finalists."