November 11, 2026 — The Maxwell Football Club has announced its latest National High School Players of the Week, recognizing two standout athletes whose performances helped lead their teams to important postseason victories.
Quarterback Jake Nawrot of John Hershey High School in Illinois earned Offensive Player of the Week honors, while defensive lineman Major Stokes of Orem High School in Utah received Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
Both players delivered impressive performances during the 2026 high school football playoffs, showcasing the talent that has made them highly regarded college football prospects.
The weekly awards also place both athletes on the midseason watch list for the Maxwell Football Club’s National High School Player of the Year Award, which will be presented for the 25th time this year.
Offensive Player of the Week: Jake Nawrot, John Hershey High School
Jake Nawrot continued his outstanding 2026 campaign by leading the John Hershey Huskies to a 31-21 playoff victory over Glenbard West, extending the team’s winning streak to 11 consecutive games.
The four-star quarterback prospect delivered an efficient performance through the air while also making an impact with his legs.
Against Glenbard West, Nawrot completed 79% of his passes, throwing for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
He added 57 rushing yards and another touchdown on just five carries, accounting for four total touchdowns in the victory.
Jake Nawrot’s Playoff Performance
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Passing yards | 290 |
| Passing touchdowns | 3 |
| Completion percentage | 79% |
| Rushing yards | 57 |
| Rushing attempts | 5 |
| Rushing touchdowns | 1 |
| Total touchdowns | 4 |
Nawrot’s performance was another example of his remarkable consistency throughout the season.
Before the Huskies’ first postseason victory, he had accumulated 2,859 passing yards while completing 72% of his passes.
Even more impressive, Nawrot had thrown 38 touchdown passes without recording a single interception.
He also contributed 126 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns through the team’s first 10 games.
The Kentucky commit is considered one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects in the Class of 2027.
According to the Maxwell Football Club, Nawrot ranks as the No. 3 overall prospect in Illinois and the No. 5 quarterback prospect nationally in his recruiting class.
His combination of accuracy, decision-making, and mobility has made him a dangerous dual-threat quarterback.
The Huskies are scheduled to face Lincoln-Way West on Friday as they continue their pursuit of a postseason championship.
Defensive Player of the Week: Major Stokes, Orem High School
On the defensive side of the ball, Major Stokes delivered a dominant performance in Orem High School’s 35-16 victory over Pleasant Grove.
The talented defensive lineman helped the Tigers extend their winning streak to eight consecutive games while limiting the Vikings’ offensive production.
Stokes recorded seven tackles, including four tackles for loss, and added one sack.
He also broke up five passes, demonstrating his ability to disrupt opposing offenses in multiple ways.
Major Stokes’ Defensive Performance
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Total tackles | 7 |
| Tackles for loss | 4 |
| Sacks | 1 |
| Pass breakups | 5 |
| Team result | 35-16 win |
The performance added to what has already been an outstanding season for the four-star defensive prospect.
Entering the matchup against Pleasant Grove, Stokes had registered 55 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks across 11 games.
His ability to penetrate opposing backfields and consistently pressure quarterbacks has established him as one of the nation’s most promising young defensive players.
Stokes is ranked as the No. 2 overall prospect in Utah and the No. 5 edge prospect nationally in the Class of 2028.
His performances have attracted attention from major college football programs, including Alabama, BYU, and Michigan, all of which have extended scholarship offers.
Stokes and the Orem Tigers are scheduled to return to action Friday afternoon against Woods Cross in their third postseason matchup.
Maxwell Football Club Continues Recognizing the Nation’s Best Young Talent
Throughout the 2026 football season, the Maxwell Football Club is recognizing two high school athletes each week for outstanding performances on the field.
Each recipient earns a place on the midseason watch list for the organization’s National High School Player of the Year Award.
The award has a history of recognizing athletes who later achieve success at the collegiate and professional levels.
Notable former winners include NFL stars Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens, Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Nolan Smith of the Philadelphia Eagles, Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers, and Caleb Downs of the Dallas Cowboys.
The recognition provides a national platform for emerging athletes while highlighting their athletic accomplishments and potential.
For Nawrot and Stokes, the weekly honors represent another milestone in their developing football careers.
Both athletes will look to continue their impressive seasons as their respective teams advance through the playoffs.
About the Maxwell Football Club
Founded in 1935, the Maxwell Football Club is the oldest football organization of its kind in the United States.
The organization recognizes excellence at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels while supporting initiatives focused on academic achievement, financial education, community volunteerism, and leadership development.
Through its awards and community programs, the club continues its mission of celebrating football excellence while helping develop future leaders.
Source: Maxwell Football Club — 2026 National High School Player of the Week Announcement.
Habari Entertainment — News Our Way.
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