Below is a look at the listing for the Player of the Year race for big class (Class 6, Class 5) for 2020.

1. Conrad Hawley, Raymore-Peculiar
Senior, QB

Hawley has taken great strides his senior campaign, with 1,894 passing yards - second in the Metro, and 21 TDs - tied for first. Hawley threw for 296 yards and five touchdowns in a win over then undefeated Liberty on October 16.

What's needed ahead: Hawley keeps putting up solid numbers and Ray-Pec returns to the semifinals.

2. Ty Black, SM Northwest
Senior, QB

Black leads the Metro with 276.6 passing yards per game and has thrown for 15 scores in just five games.  The Air Force commit lead a final minute drive at St. Thomas Aquinas to pull to 35-34 before missing the two-point conversion, then led the Cougars to a 38-35 win with late heroics as well for 239 yards and 3 TDs. Black has run for 348 yards and 6 TDs, including 114 yards and a TD at Aquinas, and 76 yards and 2 TDs vs SM North.

What's needed ahead: Probably leading the Cougars to the Class 6A final, or on the doorstep in the semis, with big numbers.

3. Devin Neal, Lawrence
Senior, RB

With a balanced Lion attack, the numbers haven't been overly staggering for the KU commit - 827 yards in six games with 12 TDs - but the timing has been great. In a matchup of star running backs, Neal outran Tank Young and St. Thomas Aquinas with 150 yards and 3 TDs. In a battle of top 3 undefeated Kansas Class 6A teams, Neal broke off a 98-yard scamper and scored all 3 TDs in a 21-20 win vs Olathe North.

What's needed ahead: Neal to keep putting up big games and LHS onto the Class 6A final - and perhaps the title.

4. Chris Runke, Platte County
Senior, QB

After helping lead PC to the Class 4 state title game, Ruhnke has been at it with 1,741 passing yards (3rd in the Metro) and 16 TDs. The senior has thrown for over 290 yards three times this year, and two games with 4 TDs.

What's needed ahead: Ruhnke probably needs to finish as the yardage leader in the Metro, and help lead the Pirates into the Class 5 semis.

5. Tank Young, St. Thomas Aquinas
Senior, RB

This may be more of a lifetime achievement listing for Young currently, though 181 yards per game and 10 TDs is nothing to shake a head at. But Young missed a game with injury and has posted "only" two 200-yard games this season. Guess the only knock for Young is he's being compared to himself in previous years!

What's needed ahead: Monster games in playoffs which will move him up the board. He'll finish in the top 4.

6. Wentric Williams III, Liberty
Junior, RB

Williams was likely the leader two weeks ago, after a memorable game with 250+ yards and 4 TDs at Rock Bridge, just a week after the passing of his father. But WWIII sustained a strained MCL the following week and missed the Ray-Pec game.

What's needed ahead: Get back on the field for the playoffs, Liberty to the state final.

7. Jackson Miller, De Soto
Senior, QB

Miller does it all for DHS, throwing for 900 yards and 13 TDs, while also running for over 1,000 and 16 TDs already. Against McPherson, Miller threw for 183 yards and 4 TDs, while running for 146 yards and a score. Miller notched 4 rushing TDs vs Lansing, and 5 vs Shawnee Heights.

What's needed ahead: De Soto to knock off Aquinas or Mill Valley, and Miller to help get the Wildcats to the Class 5A final.

Others
Trysen Keeney, Lee's Summit West
Cashius Howell, Rockhurst
Davonte Pritchard, Gardner-Edgerton
Noah Palmer, Olathe North
Zac Willingham-Davis, Liberty North