Huntsville Times Player of the Week: Defenders take top two spots in Week 1

The Week 1 Huntsville Times football Player of the Week for the 2024 high school football season earned the honor in runaway fashion - much like his team ran away with the season-opening win on Friday.

Huntsville High defensive back Neal Earskine got 73 percent of the vote in the first week's poll. There were 22,417 total votes cast.

Earskine, a junior, had four pass breakups and three tackles as the Crimson Panthers blanked Hazel Green 27-0, sending the Trojans to their 14th straight loss.

Decatur defensive back/wide receiver Trey Greenwell had 15 tackles for the Red Raiders in a 33-19 loss to Buckhorn and finished second in the poll. The senior also had a 60-yard touchdown on an interception return and scored another TD on a 65-yard punt return.

Arab senior quarterback Drew Puccio was third in the voting after passing for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Albertville. Puccio also ran for 100 yards on 11 attempts with a pair of scores.

Watch for the weekly nominees on Sundays this fall and be sure to cast your vote each week.