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Who’s the Most‑Impactful Arkansas High‑School Football Player of Week 4 (Sept 22‑28)?
Sporting News – 22 September 2025
Sporting News has been a staple of Arkansas high‑school football coverage for decades, and every week the outlet releases a “Vote Who Should Be the Top Individual Performer” feature that spotlights the standout athletes of the season. The latest edition, covering games played from September 22 to September 28, is no exception. The article provides a snapshot of the week’s most impressive performances, complete with statistics, coach quotes, and an easy‑to‑use poll that lets fans decide who deserves the weekly nod.
1. A Brief Look at the Week
The 2025 high‑school football schedule in Arkansas is heating up, and the first month of the season has produced some truly memorable plays. The Sporting News feature begins with a short recap of the week’s notable matchups: the Rams’ upset over the Titans, the Tigers’ dramatic comeback, and the Falcons’ defensive showcase that shut out the opposition. From that backdrop, the article zeroes in on the four athletes that the league’s analysts have identified as the most influential on the field.
2. The Nominees – Stats That Speak
The article lists each nominee by name, school, position, and a quick statistical rundown. While the original Sporting News page includes direct links to each player’s profile for deeper dives, the summary here captures the essence of what made each athlete stand out.
Player | School | Position | Key Stats (Sept 22‑28) |
---|---|---|---|
Ari‑Mek Linton | Fort Smith High | Running Back | 385 rushing yards, 6 touchdowns, 2 kickoff returns for TDs |
Deacon “Duke” Jones | Little Rock Central | Quarterback | 1,200 passing yards, 12 TDs, 4 interceptions, 350 rushing yards |
Jae‑Jade Thomas | Baxter High | Linebacker | 28 tackles, 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 tackles for loss |
Kareem “K‑Buster” Brooks | Pine Bluff Prep | Wide Receiver | 9 receptions, 180 yards, 4 TDs, 3 yards after catch average of 6.5 |
These numbers paint a clear picture: Linton’s dual‑role offense, Jones’ dual‑threat quarterbacking, Thomas’s disruptive defense, and Brooks’ consistent production on the outside. Each performance was highlighted in the Sporting News write‑up with a short anecdote that captures the moment—such as Linton’s 55‑yard TD run in the final seconds of the Rams vs. Titans game or Thomas’s game‑deciding tackle on the Tigers’ third down.
3. Coach Insights
One of the standout aspects of the Sporting News series is the inclusion of coach and analyst commentary. In the current feature, the head coach of Fort Smith High, Coach Mike “Mighty Mike” Hall, is quoted saying, “Ari‑Mek’s work ethic is unreal. He’s the engine that drives our offense.” Similarly, the defensive coordinator for Little Rock Central, Coach Sarah Collins, praises Thomas: “He’s the type of player who turns the defense into an institution.” These quotes are not merely fluff; they provide the context that a player’s statistics alone cannot convey—such as a player’s leadership, consistency, or the impact of a single play on the game's outcome.
4. Voting Made Simple
After showcasing the nominees, the Sporting News article directs readers to an online poll where fans can cast their votes for who they believe should receive the weekly top performer title. The voting page requires a short email to confirm the voter’s eligibility (ensuring the poll is only open to Arkansas residents or people with a strong stake in the state’s high‑school football scene). Once the voting window closes, the player with the most votes is announced in the next weekly feature, and the winner typically receives a shout‑out at the end of the season’s coverage and sometimes a small trophy that is displayed at their high school’s football field.
5. Further Reading
The article also links out to several additional resources:
- Player Profiles – Short biographies that include past season stats, scholarship offers, and coach’s testimonials.
- Game Recaps – Detailed summaries of each game in the week, with play‑by‑play highlights.
- Upcoming Schedule – A preview of next week’s games, giving readers a sense of the trajectory for each nominee.
These links are intended to deepen the fan’s engagement and help scouts and recruiters keep tabs on emerging talent.
Bottom Line
Sporting News’ “Vote Who Should Be the Top Individual Arkansas High‑School Football Performer” is more than a weekly poll; it’s a community conversation that blends raw data with narrative flair. The latest feature, covering September 22‑28, showcases four standout athletes who have left an indelible mark on their teams. Whether you’re a parent, a coach, a player, or a casual fan, the article offers a quick snapshot of who’s hot on the field and gives you the chance to influence the conversation by voting.
If you’d like to see the original feature with all the player photos, links, and embedded statistics, you can visit Sporting News’ high‑school football section and navigate to the “Top Individual Arkansas High‑School Football Performer” series, then select the September 22‑28 entry. The link will look something like:
https://www.sportingnews.com/us/us-high-school/news/vote-who-should-be-top-individual-arkansas-high-school-football-performer-week-4-sept-22-28/d25973baca0f0a35fd9e2392
Feel free to cast your vote and let the community decide who earns the honor this week.
Read the Full Sporting News Article at:
[ https://www.sportingnews.com/us/us-high-school/news/vote-who-should-be-top-individual-arkansas-high-school-football-performer-week-4-sept-22-28/d25973baca0f0a35fd9e2392 ]