USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: Jacorey Stewart, Hawk Patrick-Daniels, DJ Bailey, Terry Bussey, Caden Durham

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 18.

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The final highlight reel of USA TODAY HSS staff’s picks for “Stars of the Week” includes some of the best we’ve seen all season. A record-setting points total, a game-sealing interception, and rushing spectacle headline the five.

Jacorey Stewart, Milton (Ga.)

Hawk Patrick-Daniels, Aledo (Texas)

– DJ Bailey, DeSoto (Texas)

– Terry Bussey, Timpson (Texas)

Caden Durham, Duncanville (Texas)

More

Watch: Georgia football commit Dylan Raiola is enjoying his Nebraska official visit

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football recap

Teddy Bridgewater plans to retire after 2023 season, coach high school football

Fan-favorite former Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater told the Detroit Free Press he plans to retire after the 2023 season and start a new career: coaching high school football

It’s always nice to see a pro football player step away from the game on their own terms, and that’s what New Orleans former Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater intends to do. Now with the Detroit Lions, the fan-favorite backup to Drew Brees told the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett that the 2023 season will be his last in the NFL.

Bridgewater, 31, has seen it all in the NFL. He earned Pro Bowl recognition with the Minnesota Vikings early in his career. He recovered from a career-threatening knee injury to lead the Saints to a 5-0 record in relief of Brees during the 2019 season. He secured a life-changing $31 million from the Carolina Panthers as a free agent and has been valued by multiple teams as an experienced backup who can guide them through tough times.

And he’s on track to hang up his cleats and pursue his next passion: coaching high school football. Bridgewater has maintained a regular presence at high school games on Friday nights whenever he’s been free over the years and he wants to spend the next chapter of his football life coaching up the next generation. Good for him. He’s always been easy to root for and we’ll be keeping tabs on his next success story.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: Elijah Brown, Dallas Golden, Caden Durham, Owen Long, Anthony Crews

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 17.

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An incredible California high school football career came to a championship close on Saturday, with Mater Dei (Santa Ana) QB Elijah Brown leading the Monarchs to a 35-0 win over Serra (San Mateo.). For his efforts, an overall mark of 42-2 under center, the Stanford commit lands atop the USA TODAY HSS staff’s picks for “Stars of the Week.” Joining him in the highlight reel are two dynamic running backs and a pair of receivers who also put on a show during the playoff rush.

– Anthony Crews, Bell Vernon (Pa.)

– Owen Long, La Serna (Calif.)

– Caden Durham, Duncanville (Texas)

– Dallas Golden, Berkeley Prep (Fla.)

– Elijah Brown, Mater Dei (Calif.)

More

No. 3 Mater Dei dominates in CIF championship game over No. 17 Serra

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football recap

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: Bo Walker, Jeremy Hecklinski, Brandon White, Massillon defense, Landon Frey

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 16.

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This past Friday night belonged to Landon Frey, whose acrobatic catch—perhaps one of the greatest not just in 2023 but all-time—lands the Marion (Wv.) wide receiver atop the USA TODAY HSS staff’s picks for “Stars of the Week.” Joining him are a pair of top-tier running backs, a Wake Forest commit who is lighting it up in the Georgia playoffs, and a defense out of Massillon, Ohio, that deserves a collective moment in the proverbial sun.

Bo Walker, Cedar Grove (Ga.)

Jeremy Hecklinski, Walton (Ga.)

– Brandon White, St. Edward (Ohio)

– Washington Massillon Defense (Ohio)

Landon Frey, North Marion (Wv.)

More

Arizona state championship features 19 ejections, near-30-point comeback, and controversial call

Jason Witten coaches sons’ high school team to undefeated championship season

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: Nate Sheppard, Mylin Lennox, Kelby Tyre, Abduall Sanders, Ju’Juan Johnson

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 15.

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A record-breaking night down in Louisiana leads the way for the USA TODAY HSS staff’s picks for “Stars of the Week,” with a walk-off kick return, a momentum-shifting interception, a catch of the year candidate, and a massive Massillon run completing the highlight reel.

– Nate Sheppard, Mandeville High (La.)

– Mylin Lennox, Massillon (Ohio)

– Kelby Tyre, Dunbar (Fla.)

– Abduall Sanders, Mater Dei (Calif.)

– Ju’Juan Johnson, Lafayette Christian Academy (La.)

More

5-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith continues to shine for No. 2 Chaminade-Madonna

LSU commit Ju’Juan Johnson breaks Louisiana high school yards record

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: St. John Bosco defense, Trey’Dez Green, Jordan Lyle, George Roberts III, Tyler Morgan

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 14.

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An all-time two-point conversion stop leads the way for the USA TODAY HSS staff’s picks for “Stars of the Week,” with another Trey’Dez Green appearance headlining a four-pack of incredible plays from the offensive side of the ball.

Tyler Morgan, Central Catholic (Ohio)

George Roberts III, Treasure Coast (Fla.)

– Jordan Lyle, St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.)

– Trey’Dez Green, Zachary (La.)

– St. John Bosco Defense (Calif.)

More

This might be the best throw Dylan Raiola has made all season (and it wasn’t even a touchdown)

Game of the year? No. 3 St. John Bosco edges No. 18 Centennial in semifinal thriller

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: Julian Lewis, Willie Rodriguez, STA special teams, Thomas Copeland, Kyle Andrews

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 13.

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One of the greatest Hail Mary endings ever headlined a crop of highlights during this week’s high school football action, with these five athletes/units shining above the rest to become a USA TODAY HSS staff’s pick for “Stars of the Week.”

– Willie Rodriguez, Covington Catholic (Ky.)

– St. Thomas Aquinas special teams, (Fla.)

Thomas Copeland, Parkview Christian (Neb.)

– Kyle Andrews (special mention to QB Zach Walls), West Boca Raton (Fla.)

– Julian Lewis, Carrollton (Ga.)

More

Watch: Not even the playoffs can slow down 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola

Where does your state rank? Data shows percentage of high school students who participate in sports across the U.S.

USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week: Landon Stone, Dominic Perry, Jacob Hamilton, Gray Schmittel, Trey’Dez Green

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 12.

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It was a playmakers paradise over Friday and Saturday during the high school football action, with these five athletes shining above the rest to become a USA TODAY HSS staff’s pick for “Stars of the Week.”

– Landon Stone, Clover High School (S.C.)

– Dominic Perry, Austintown Fitch (Ohio)

Jacob Hamilton, Dutch Fork (S.C.)

– Gray Schmittel, North Oldham High School (K.Y.)

– Trey’Dez Green, Zachary High School (La.)

More

High school team awarded touchdown after player is tackled at 5-yard line

USA TODAY High School Sports Super 25 football score recap: Kahuku upset, Liberty headlines with big win over Centennial

Who are you starting: Dylan Raiola or D.J. Lagway?

Two 5-star QBs enter. One 5-star QB leaves.

Near the front—if not the top—of the 2023 high school quarterback hierarchy, 5-star slingers Dylan Raiola and D.J. Lagway have put on a highlight-packed clinic this season.

Touch, strength, and improvisational gusto, each has wowed the crowd and has demonstrated why they are such highly regarded recruits. And fans will get to see a lot more of both QBs at the college level, too, with Raiola headed to Georgia and Lagway off to Florida.

Dawgs vs. Gators — look out!

But the SEC journey and head-to-head arguments are for another day.

As we move into November playoffs across the country, an interesting question snuck into a conversation about the high school football landscape ahead:

Would you want Raiola or Lagway starting for your team during the postseason grind?

The 2023 season for the Willis (Texas) and Florida Gators‘ top-ranked commit has been nothing short of a video game. Lagway has dismantled defenses this season, showing off touch as well as top-tier arm strength…

And he’s shown the ability to disrupt the defense with his legs as well, having rushed for over 200 yards against The Woodlands.

On the other hand, few quarterbacks can run an offense like Buford’s Dylan Raiola, who was flashing signs of greatness while under center at Chandler (Arizona) in 2022 before joining the Wolves Super 25 attack this season.

The 6-3 220-pound talent and Georgia commit has the uncanny skill to extend plays, using arm strength and athleticism to turn nothing into something — a la Patrick Mahomes.

Tuck and run?

Yep. Raiola might not possess breakaway speed, but he’s shown the capacity to take advantage of what the defense gives him.

After considering all the stats and rewatching the highlights, there wasn’t an obvious answer from our end, so we’re turning it to the fans out there..

Let’s hear it!

[polldaddy poll=12938882]

‘X’ Factors: USA TODAY High School Sports Stars of the Week

The USA TODAY High School Sports staff unveils the Stars of Week 11.

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A free kick for the win in California; the “Annexation of Puerto Rico” makes a perfect appearance during the Ohio playoffs; a big-time Texas upset has one QB shining; Bryce Underwood being Bryce Underwood; and Darius Curry ties Jordan Love’s HS record.

Let’s give a standing-O to the following USA TODAY HSS Stars of the Week:

– Ezra Johnson, Chaparral (Calif.)

– D.J. Bailey, DeSoto (Texas)

Darius Curry, Long Beach Poly (Calif.)

– Bryce Underwood, Belleville (Mich.)

– Offense, Olentangy Liberty (Ohio)

More

Did the refs miss an obvious call in DeSoto’s upset of Duncanville?

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