Bullard High School quarterback Cleet Bowman had an almost perfect game in leading his Panthers to a big win over Melissa on Thursday.
His dazzling statistics earned Bowman the “American State Bank - Player of the Week” for Week 10 of the high school football season, Tim Haugh, ASB vice president of consumer lending, announced on Tuesday.
With the Bullard Panthers clinching a playoff spot for the second straight year in their 47-9 victory over the Melissa Cardinals, Bowman was on fire in the first half. He was 12 of 14 passing for 395 yards and five touchdowns. He added 12 yards on the ground on two carries and found the end zone another time on a QB sneak.
All of this was done in only two quarters as Bowman did not play in the second half as the Panthers led 47-2 at halftime.
Others receiving votes this week were Grace quarterback Christopher Wilhelmi, Van quarterback Garrett Moseley and Athens Christian quarterback Zay Ridgle.
“Cleet had a very solid game, even if it was only two quarters worth,” said Bullard head coach and athletic director Shannon Wilson. “Protection was great from the offensive line and the receivers were making great catches. It was just an all-around solid effort from the whole team. And Cleet just keeps improving as the year goes on, helping our team to clinch a playoff spot as we will be fighting for the No. seed from our district.”
The Panthers visit Canton on Friday in District 5-4A Division II action.
“Just a great game from Bowman,” Haugh said. “I was actually in the stands and got to see first -hand just how dominant Cleet was that night. His passes were right on the money on every throw. There are those games where an athlete is locked in and everything they do is right. Well, that was Cleet last Thursday night. He was hitting all his receivers in stride and once they got the ball in their hands, they were gone. It was real fun to watch.”
Each weekly winner (weeks 1-11) of the “American State Bank – Player of the Week” award automatically receives an invitation to the end of the year banquet to recognize the weekly winners.
One of those 11 weekly winners will be chosen as the “American State Bank – Player of the Year” where they will be pledged a $10,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.
Only players nominated will be considered for this weekly award. To nominate a player, visit www.asbplayeroftheweek.com.
Previous American State Bank - Player of the Week award winners:
Week 1 - Jeremiah Crawford, quarterback, Mineola
Week 2 - Justice Bean, wide receiver, Frankston
Week 3 - Ja’Quorius Smith, running back, Kilgore
Week 4 - Hunter Moore, quarterback, Canton
Week 5 - Bryson Smith, quarterback, John Tyler
Week 6 - McCray Fletcher, quarterback, Bullard Brook Hill
Week 7 - Logan Fuller, running back/linebacker, Athens
Week 8 - Dee Starling, quarterback, West Rusk
Week 9 – Kendrick Rogers, wide receiver, defensive back, Frankston