Huntsville area Player of the Week for playoff opener sets a vote record

The Week 12 Huntsville Times football Player of the Week, from the opening round of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs, earned the highest percentage of votes of any other player of any preps poll for the season – by a long shot.

Madison Academy quarterback Charleston Owens got 98.75 percent of the 4,074 votes cast. The freshman connected on three touchdown passes in the Mustangs' 28-7 win at Hokes Bluff. The win was the fifth in a row for coach Bob Godsey's 7-4 Class 4A squad. Madison Academy will host 11-0 West Morgan on Friday in the second round.

Owens is the second straight Mustang to earn Player of the Week honors after running back Josh Williams finished on top last week.

Another freshman, Susan Moore's Sam Garrison, finished second in the voting after running for 241 yards on 39 carries. Garrison scored all five of the Bulldogs' touchdowns in a 34-27 win over Class 2A No. 8 Decatur Heritage on Thursday. Susan Moore takes a 6-5 record into a home second-round playoff game against Tuscaloosa Academy.

Fyffe sophomore Ryder Gipson was third in the balloting after he scored four TDs in the Red Devils' 66-30 win over Ohatchee in the Class 3A playoffs. Gipson finished with 253 yards on the ground with touchdown runs of 53, 4, 8 and 2 yards. Fyffe (8-2) will host Gordo (10-1) on Friday.

Watch for the weekly nominees on Sundays this fall and be sure to cast your vote each week.