One week to go before we start deciding a SEMO Football MVP

Trying to figure out the single best high school football player in Southeast Missouri is a tough task - and so far just picking out the list of 10 finalists is a test in itself.

Here's where we stand: So far, it appears that Cameron Carey of Thayer, Vohland Fonda of Caruthersville, Zach Hibbits of Farmington, Trey Lewis of Sikeston and G'Darius Stevenson of NMCC all are on the final ballot for the fourth annual SEMO Football MVP Award. That's the survey that we open up to fans every season to determine who, in your opinion, is the best football player among our region's 33 teams.

The poll will go on our site next week and will stay up through the playoffs, but we still have to fill the final five spots. And that's the tough part.

At Malden, Tanner Murphy and Quentin Jackson are a tough pass-receiver combo that have helped make the Green Wave a playoff contender.

Cape Girardeau Central, Jackson, Sikeston and Valle Catholic are a combined 27-1 with athletes on offense and defense that are sure to make all-state lists and future college rosters.

Quarterbacks like Adam Grantham, Matt Marler and Brendan Weiler have passed for more than 4,300 yards in all and have been crucial parts of the offense.

Garett Schaefer of Scott City lacks size but makes up for it in quickness at Scott City, where he's run for more than 1,000 yards this season.

The list goes on - in fact, the list of athletes near or beyond 1,000 yards of offense this season grows each week. Mention tackles, sacks and fumble recoveries and we've got a whole new set of top-level athletes.

But we're closing in on a list of 10, and this is where your opinion can make the difference. Click on our message board and chime in with your opinion. Let us know who should make the list and who shouldn't, then check back next week to see the final 10 and make your MVP pick.