These were 2023’s high school football Players of the Week, as voted by Star readers

Throughout the high school football regular season, readers in the Kansas City area voted for athletes to be named The Star’s Player of the Week.

More than 100 coaches in the Kansas City area were invited each week to nominate players who had the best performances.

Candidates came from Kansas City, Olathe, Lee’s Summit, Overland Park, Grain Valley, Shawnee and around the metro.

With the playoffs underway, here’s a look back at this season’s nine winners.

Ty Williams, Grain Valley

Ty Williams, the senior running back from Grain Valley High School, was voted Player of the Week for Week 1.

Williams helped lead Grain Valley to a 46-42 victory over Fort Osage on Aug. 25, finishing with 228 rushing yards and four touchdowns. It came at a cost, as Williams was knocked out of the game late in the fourth quarter after taking a hard hit to his quad.

Tanner Howes, Lee’s Summit North

Readers voted for senior running back Tanner Howes from Lee’s Summit North High School for Week 2’s Player of the Week.

Howes helped lead Lee’s Summit North to a 39-24 victory over Park Hill South High School on Sept. 1, finishing with 119 rushing yards in 19 carries and two rushing touchdowns. He also had two catches for 43 receiving yards.

Clayton Layden, Lone Jack

The junior linebacker from Lone Jack High School, Clayton Layden received the most votes from readers for Week 3’s poll.

In a 50-14 loss to Adrian High School on Sept. 8, Layden finished with 22 tackles, three sacks and two fumble recoveries, each returned for a touchdown.

Xavyer Powell, Washington

Readers voted Washington High School senior running back Xavyer Powell for the Player of the Week for Week 4.

Powell led Washington to a 37-28 victory over Bonner Springs High School on Sept. 15. He finished the game with 103 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown, 93 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown on offense, and on defense he added eight tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Jayden Gordon, Sumner

Sumner Academy of Arts & Science senior quarterback Jayden Gordon was voted Player of the Week for Week 5.

In a 33-20 win over Wyandotte High School on Sept. 22 Gordon completed 11 of 14 passes for 143 passing yards and two touchdowns. He also added 85 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

Braden James, Pembroke Hill

Pembroke Hill high school junior football player Braden James was voted Player of the Week by readers for Week 6.

James finished with four receptions for 56 yards and two touchdowns in the 28-6 win over Hogan Preparatory Academy on Sept. 29.

Braylen Hoobler, Eudora

Eudora High School senior Braylen Hoobler stepped in at fullback for Week 7, and his performance earned him Player of the Week honors.

He rushed the ball nine times for 166 yards and five touchdowns in Eudora’s 73-0 victory over Schlagle on Oct. 6 He added nine tackles on the defensive end, with one of them credited as a tackle for loss.

Noah Spencer, Oak Grove

Oak Grove High School junior running back Noah Spencer received the most votes for Week 8’s Player of the Week poll.

Spencer ran the ball 20 times for 287 yards and three touchdowns in Oak Grove’s 45-20 win over Harrisonville on Oct. 13. He added two catches for 26 receiving yards. On defense, he broke up three pass attempts and secured three tackles.

Tommy Hutsler, St. Pius X

Junior wide receiver Tommy Hutsler of St. Pius X High School was named Player of the Week for Week 9 after receiving the most votes.

Hutsler caught the ball six times for 179 receiving yards and two touchdowns in St. Pius X’s 34-13 win over Savannah High School on Oct. 20.