Vote now: Who should be SBLive’s Mississippi high school athlete of the week?

Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Mississippi high school athlete of the week for Aug. 31-Sep. 6 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read

Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Mississippi high school athlete of the week for Aug. 31-Sep. 6 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote at the bottom of the page. Voting will conclude on Thursday at 11:59 p.m and the winner will be announced Friday morning. If you would like to make a nomination in a future week, please email regan@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @sblivems.

Alan Follis, West Jones QB: Mustangs quarterback Alan Follis was 13 of 19 for 253 yards and four TD passes to lead West Jones to a 35-6 win over Raleigh.

Jarquez Hunter, Neshoba Central RB: Jarquez Hunter, arguably the state’s best running back, carried the ball 32 times for 179 yards and two TDs to lead the Rockets to a season-opening win.

Jackson Allen, Petal QB: Allen completed 13 out of 19 passes for 246 yards and 4 TDs to lead Petal to a 35-14 win over Brookhaven.

Kabe Barnett, Oak Grove QB: Oak Grove QB Kabe Barnett threw four TD passes as the Warriors rolled to a 52-29 win over Gulport.

Hunter Jones, Amory QB: Jones was 18 of 25 for 326 yards and five TDs to lead Amory to a 44-33 victory over Caledonia.

Anterrio Draper, South Panola QB: South Panola QB Anterrio Draper scored the game-winning TD with 7:52 to play and the Tigers held their breath as Hernando drove to the South Panola 25-yard line and missed a 42-yard field goal with 1:55 left as they held on for a 14-13 win.

Luke Altmyer, Starkville QB: QB Luke Altmyer scored on a 74-yard TD run on Starkville’s first offensive play and the Yellowjackets went on to build a 19-point lead before holding off a late West Point rally. Despite battling leg cramps, Altmyer finished with 315 yards passing and two TDs through the air.

Tate Collins, Madison Central QB: Tate Collins rushed for a pair of touchdowns to lead Madison Central to a 31-20 win over Northwest Rankin.

Amariyon Howard, Starkville RB: The Mississippi State commit rushed for 103 yards and two TDs on just 12 carries and caught five passes for 42 yards in Starkville’s 40-28 win.

Chandler Pittman, Magee QB: Pittman did it all Friday with four touchdowns through the air and another on the ground in Magee’s 34-0 win over Collins.

Jemarkus Whitfield, Pontotoc RB: Whitfield rushed 20 times for 161 yards and three touchdowns in Pontotoc’s 38-35 overtime victory over New Albany.

Makel Jones, Hattiesburg S: Sophomore safety Makel Jones iced Hattiesburg’s 26-12 upset of Laurel with a 30-yard pick six with 3:15 to play.

Walt Thomas, Hattiesburg CB: The senior had a once-in-a-career type night with three interceptions in Hattiesburg’s 26-12 win over Laurel.

Darrius Triplett, Caledonia RB: Triplett carried the ball five times for 107 yards and a touchdown and added two receptions for 49 yards and another TD in Caledonia’s 44-33 loss to Amory. He also picked off a pass on defense.

Ashton Maffett, Pontotoc K: Maffett was 5-for-5 on PATs and booted the game-winning 23-yard field goal in overtime to lift Pontotoc to a 38-35 win over New Albany. 

Ja’Karius Grant, West Lauderdale RB: Grant rushed for 130 yards and two touchdowns to lead West Lauderdale to a 49-28 win over South Jones.

Jonathan Harris, Petal WR: Harris hauled in touchdown catches of 55 and 66 yards to lead Petal to a season-opening 35-14 win over Brookhaven. 

Reid Flanagan, Hernando WR/TE: Flanagan was key in Hernando’s near-upset of No. 3 South Panola, reeling in seven catches for 158 yards.

Rayf Vinson, Madison-Ridgeland Academy RB: Vinson rushed for two touchdowns and was second on the team in tackles with 12 (3 for losses) to help lead MRA to a 20-10 victory over Jackson Academy.