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Offensive Player of the Week: Week 1

By John Kelsey, SportsEngine, 09/06/16, 2:45PM CDT

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Vote for your Week 1 Offensive Player of the Week.

*Players are only included in the Player of the Week poll if their stats are entered on the Football Hub. If any coaches or members of their coaching staff would like to be set up to enter stats, please email john.kelsey@sportsengine.com. Stats must be entered by noon each Monday to be included in the POTW poll. 

Offensive Player of the Week Candidates:

Joey Atkinson, St. Cloud Apollo QB, senior: Expectations were high for Atkinson coming off a 1,730-yard passing campaign last year, and he did not disappoint in this season's opener. The senior went 10-for-13 passing for 314 yards and four touchdowns. Atkinson also carried the ball eight times for 45 yards in the 38-20 road win over Cambridge-Isanti. 

Chris Backes, St. Cloud Tech QB, senior: In an effort to one-up crosstown rival and close friend Joey Atkinson, Backes delivered a nearly perfect performance in a 48-13 rout of Chisago Lakes. The senior quarterback finished 16-for-20 passing for 264 yards and five touchdowns. Backes also chipped in 29 yards on four carries. 

Jefferson Lee V, Marshall RB, junior: A frequent visitor in the Offensive Player of the Week poll last season, Lee got off to a strong start once again as he ran for six touchdowns in a 63-14 win over Jordan despite not playing in the second half. The junior back, who led the state with 22 regular-season rushing touchdowns a year ago, needed just 15 carries to tally 142 yards and also caught one pass for 13 yards.  

Sean McGuire, Hillcrest Academy QB, senior: McGuire made quite the statement in the opening week of the season as he racked up 445 yards and six touchdowns on 17-for-29 passing in a 52-42 win over Hancock. The senior led the Comets to a 7-1 regular-season record and a section 4 9-man final berth as the starting quarterback last season and will look to take the next step to the state tournament this year. 

Kyler Newman, Hillcrest Academy RB/WR, senior: It was impossible to pick just one Hillcrest Academy player from the Comets' Week 1 offensive outburst, so McGuire's favorite target, Kyler Newman, gets a spot in the poll as well. Newman caught eight passes for 272 yards and four of the six touchdowns thrown by McGuire. He also added 36 yards and a touchdown on the ground. 

Joe Hird, Bloomington Jefferson WR, senior: Hird, who caught 38 passes as a year ago, got off to a strong start with 10 catches and 160 yards for two touchdowns in a Week 1 loss to Robbinsdale Cooper. 

Jason Chappell, Shakopee RB, senior (Winner): Chappell was a big reason why Shakopee comfortably defeated Anoka despite finishing with only 15 passing yards. The senior back contributed 219 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries (10.5 YPC) in the 41-19 victory. With the win, the Sabers have already matched their win total from last season and will look to keep it rolling in a Week 2 matchup against Wayzata. 

Josh Prahl, Litchfield QB, senior: Prahl was extremely efficient in a 55-13 blowout win over Milaca, finishing 10-for-13 passing for 232 yards and two touchdowns. Prahl finished with a near-perfect passer rating of 157.9 and added a 30-yard touchdown run. 

Jake Emley, St. Peter QB, junior: Emley accomplished an incredibly rare feat in a 36-17 win over LeSueur-Henderson. The junior quarterback ran for five touchdowns and converted three two-point attempts (2 rushing, 1 passing), accounting for all the Saints' points. 

Justin Schultz, Waconia RB, senior: Schultz was a workhorse for the Wildcats in their 35-8 win over Irondale in Week 1. He finished with 40 carries for 189 yards and scored four of the five Waconia touchdowns. 

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