Vote for The Observer’s high school football player of the week (10.03.25)
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Observer named 20 nominees for high school football player of the week.
- Voting closes at noon Thursday; winner will be featured in Friday editions.
- Weekly poll highlights standout performances across Charlotte-area teams.
Here are the nominees for The Observer’s high school football player of the week. The poll closes at noon Thursday, and the winner will be featured by the media company in Friday’s editions.
You may vote as often as you like.
This week’s nominees
Chris Baker, Forest Hills: In a 25-21 win over Parkwood — where Forest Hills needed two fourth quarter touchdowns to avoid a big upset — Baker had a team-high 10 tackles, including three for a loss.
Chance Cato, Olympic: In a 17-14 win over Central Cabarrus, Cato was 15 of 23 for 278 yards and two touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter to help his team rally from a 13-3 deficit. He threw the game-winning score with less than a minute to play.
Na’il Diggs, Charlotte Latin: In a 42-0 win over Langtree Charter, Diggs ran nine times for 140 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a pass for 15 yards and he had a tackle and a QB pressure on defense.
Haze Dodson, Lake Norman Charter: The freshman running back ran 25 times for 168 yards and three touchdowns in a 20-7 win over Pine Lake Prep. He scored twice in the fourth quarter, including the put-away score with three minutes left.
Aiden Donnelly, East Mecklenburg: The sophomore QB was 9 of 15 for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 19-13 win over Ballanyne Ridge. Donnelly ran eight times for 103 yards and another score.
Jason Eaton, Mountain Island Charter: In a 14-0 win over Albemarle, Eaton had 10 tackles, four tackles for a loss and three sacks.
Rakim Finch, West Charlotte: In a 32-9 win over Mallard Creek, Finch, an Air Force Academy recruit, caught eight passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns.
Malachi Gwyn, SouthLake Christian: In a 48-24 win over Anderson (SC), Gwyn ran 29 times for 229 yards and four touchdowns.
Johnta Harrison, West Cabarrus: In a 24-10 win over Hickory Ridge, Harrison was 8 of 17 passings for 153 yards and three touchdowns. He ran 16 times for 91 yards.
Mason Iovino, Cuthbertson: In a 23-8 win over Piedmont, Iovino had 23 carries for 177 yards and three touchdowns.
Rashad Lynch, Lincolnton: In a 56-0 win over Highland Tech, Lynch completed 7 of 11 passes for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He ran four times for 31 yards and another score.
AJ McClain, Ashbrook: In a 44-0 win over North Gaston, McClain was 3 of 3 passing for 77 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a touchdown.
Chris Peavy, Providence Day: In a 55-21 win at Cannon School, Peavy, an offensive lineman, graded 96% with three pancake blocks, no sacks allowed and no QB pressures allowed. He sparked a running game that generated 215 yards on 24 carries.
Kaveaun Pless, South Point: In a 53-6 win over Hunter Huss, the sophomore running back had 13 carries for 103 yards and three touchdowns.
Preston Pruitt, Ambassador Christian: In a 35-21 win over Grace Christian (TN), Pruitt had three interceptions, a pass breakup, seven tackles and one tackle for loss.
Ennis Stiles, Jay M. Robinson: In a 14-0 win over Salisbury, Stiles, a sophomore, had 11 tackles, including two for a loss.
Titus Troy, Northwest Cabarrus: In a 35-7 win over East Rowan, the sophomore running back had 24 carries for 168 yards and three touchdowns.
Teddy Vellio, Charlotte Catholic: In a 14-13 win at Porter Ridge, Vellio had eight tackles and a sack.
Callaway Williams, South Mecklenburg: In a 46-20 win at Hopewell, Williams caught two touchdown passes and had an interception returned for a touchdown.
Nixon Willis, Community School of Davidson: In a 28-21 win over Christ The King, Willis, a junior, ran 21 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns.
Gabe Wilson, Butler: In a 23-12 win at Chambers that ended a three-game losing streak, Wilson caught two passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, he had an interception and six tackles.
Previous winners
Week 1: Jad Aljakhbeer, Ardrey Kell
Week 2: Weston Michalak, Ambassador Christian
Week 3: Cam Johnson, Ambassador Christian
Week 4: Ben Dorsey, Charlotte Country Day
Week 5: Travis Hill, Independence
How to vote
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