Vote: Tampa Bay high school football player of the week (11/19/2023)

We’ve selected 14 candidates to choose from this past week’s playoff games

The Florida High School Football Playoffs have begun and we continue our Player of the Week polls for areas all around the state. Teams started off the regular season with some great individual performances in the region quarterfinals.

As such, we have 14 athletes nominated this week for the SBLive’s Tampa Bay high school football player of the week award from November 16-17, and we ask you, the fans, to help decide who should indeed be the top athlete selected. Voting will conclude on Saturday, November 25th at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be announced in next week's poll.

Editor’s note: Our corresponding poll is intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times a fan can vote during the competition. This poll is specifically for fans to vote on the players that have been nominated and in no way discredits any other player that may not be mentioned in our poll.

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Congratulations to Durant quarterback Michael Ryan!

Congratulations to Palm Harbor University linebacker Patrick Iaconis!

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Here are this week's nominations: 

TJ Moore, WR, Tampa Catholic: The Clemson commitment in his last game as a Crusader made it count, catching four passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-28 loss to Berkeley Prep. 

Greg Smith III, QB, Sumner: Smith III has seen his stock soar with colleges and it will continue to do so after last week's performance. The Stingrays' quarterback completed 13-of-16 passes for 234 yards and five touchdowns in a 40-25 win over Durant. 

Michael Ryan, QB, Durant: The counterpart to Smith III wasn't too shabby himself as Ryan completed 19-of-31 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Sumner. 

Damari Styles, WR, Durant: Styles hauled in 11 passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Sumner. 

Jacob Drackett, QB, Calvary Christian: The Air Force commitment became the all-time leading passer in yards in Pinellas County history after his 265-yard, four touchdown performance in a 48-20 win over Clearwater. 

Zander Altieri, RB/DB, Calvary Christian: Altieri sees time at running back and free safety, making an impact from both positions in the win over Clearwater. The senior rushed for 100 yards, two touchdowns and made 10 tackles, intercepting two passes on defense. 

Xzavier Jackson, QB, Tampa Bay Tech: The Titans' quarterback was poised, calm and collected in leading Tampa Bay Tech to a 27-22 win over Armwood. Jackson threw for 230 yards and tossed two touchdowns. 

Rukeem Stroud, DB, Tampa Bay Tech: Stroud intercepted two passes and batted three others away in the Titans' win over the Hawks. 

Elija Mason, RB, Gaither: The running back carried the ball 23 times for 145 yards and a touchdown in a 16-0 win over Largo. 

Antonio Henley, DT, Gaither: Nobody on the Largo offensive line was able to slow down Henley on the night. The defensive tackle made 10 tackles, six for loss and an impressive six sacks in the victory over the Packers. 

Keo Jenkins, DE, Clearwater Central Catholic: The edge rusher/linebacker hybrid made an impact in the Marauders' 42-14 win over Indian Rocks Christian, notching six tackles, four for loss and three sacks.  

Tyrique Harris, LB Clearwater Central Catholic: Harris had nearly identical numbers to Jenkins, tallying seven tackles, four for a loss and three sacks in the win over the Eagles. 

Waltez Clark, RB, Plant: The Florida Gator commit was leaned upon offensively in the 28-21 win over Dr. Phillips, rushing for 132 yards on 17 carries and scoring three touchdowns. 

Alex Tate, LB, Plant: The Panthers' linebacker tallied 17 tackles, one for a loss and a sack in the victory over Dr. Phillips. 

-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl