Here are the nominees for The Observer’s high school football player of the week
Here are the nominees for The Observer’s high school football player of the week.
The poll closes at noon Thursday. You can vote as often as you like.
The winner will be featured in article from the media company on Friday.
Quick links
Charlotte Catholic joins Observer Sweet 16 poll
10 teams join NC statewide rankings
Talking Preps Week 4 postgame show
Complete coverage from Friday night (stories, photos, scores, schedule)
This week’s nominees
James Bailey, East Mecklenburg: In a 20-16 win over North Mecklenburg, Bailey completed two passes as a quarterback, ran six times as a running back and caught five passes as a receiver. He caught two touchdown passes, one that was ultimately the game-winner — but only after he got the third of three interceptions late in the game. Bailey returned one of his interceptions for a touchdown as well.
Naiel Brooks, Hopewell: In a 51-14 win over Rocky River, the freshman tied for a team-high with 10 total tackles, with fellow freshman Ezra Lehman. Brooks had a team-high six solo tackles, two tackles for a loss and two sacks.
Isaiah Crosland, Statesville: In a 27-14 win over Alexander Central, Crosland had 10 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack.
Ethan Dempsey, Providence Day: In a 39-0 win over Butler, Dempsey, a junior wide receiver, caught two passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 30-yard kickoff return.
Benjamin Dorsey, Charlotte Country Day: In a 38-14 win over Covenant Day, Dorsey was 4 for 4 on PATs and made a 35-yard field goal.
DJ Douglas, Charlotte Latin: In a 42-13 win over Metrolina Christian, Douglas caught 13 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns.
Makai Henriquez, Porter Ridge: In a 31-6 win at South Iredell, Henriquez had an interception, two sacks and three tackles for a loss.
Garrett Nowlan, Charlotte Catholic: In a 28-21 win over Kings Mountain, the senior running back had 19 carries for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
Grant Lawless, East Lincoln: In a 56-34 win over Bandys, Lawless — a Wake Forest commit — completed 17 of 26 passes for 408 yards and six touchdowns. For the season, in four games, he’s thrown for 1,206 yards and 16 touchdowns.
RJ Lynch, Lincolnton: In a 49-35 win over Burns, Lynch ran nine times for 100 yards and a touchdown. He caught three passes for 34 yards and he threw a 72-yard touchdown pass. On defense, Lynch had three tackles and two interceptions.
Dominick McCorkle, Stuart Cramer: In a 51-6 win over Bessemer City, McCorkle ran 16 times for 104 yards and three touchdowns.
Samari Matthews, Hough: In a 28-21 win over Mooresville, the Texas Longhorns recruit had a 44-yard pick six and fumble recovery that set up another score, helping the Huskies, No. 1 in The Observer’s Sweet 16, remain unbeaten.
Donte Nicholson, West Charlotte: In a 42-7 win over Providence, Nicholson caught five passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns.
Ryder Polston, Ballantyne Ridge: In a 49-14 win over Garinger that delivered the school’s first-ever win, Polston completed 10 of 16 passes for 178 yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore also ran for two additional scores.
Cayden Rumph, South Point: In a 32-7 win over Mount Pleasant, Rumph ran 10 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns. Rumph filled in for starting QB Patrick Blee, who injured his knee in a Week 3 win over Skyland’s TC Roberson High.
Ty Siglar, Community School of Davidson: In a 35-0 win over West Stokes, his team’s first win of the season, Siglar had three touchdown passes.
Brennan Wallace, Christ The King: In a 28-27 win over Mountain Island Charter, Wallace ran 13 times for 110 yards. He had 10 tackles and two sacks. He also forced a fumble and had 80 kick return yards.
Lincoln Wise, Palisades: Wise ran 25 times for 123 yards and a touchdown in a 14-7 win at Chambers. Palisades handed Chambers its first win of the season and helped the Pumas to a school-best 3-1 start.
Previous winners
Week 1: Jad Aljakhbeer, Ardrey Kell
Week 2: Weston Michalak, Ambassador Christian
Week 3: Cam Johnson, Ambassador Christian
How to vote
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This story was originally published September 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM.