Liberty County standout Richard LeCounte is among the football players recently placed on the 2016 ADIDAS and Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year Watch list.

Maxwell and ADIDAS announced the watch list Thursday. The Player of the Year award is presented to the nation’s best scholastic football player.
The award was established in 2007 and former winners include Jacob Eason (Lake Stevens HS— Georgia), Trenton Thompson (2014 Westover HS — Georgia), Will Grier (2013 Davidson Day School — Florida), Derrick Henry (2012 Yulee HS — Alabama), Noah Spence (2011 Bishop McDevitt HS — Ohio State) and Jeff Driskel (2010 Hagerty HS — Florida).

The Maxwell Club has been recognizing excellence at all levels of football since 1935 and has a focus on high school football, while ADIDAS currently outfits more than 30 collegiate FBS teams, as well as some high school programs.

“We are very excited to continue our partnership with ADIDAS as the presenting sponsor of the MFC National High School player of the Year award,” Mark Wolpert, MFC executive director, said. “The award has gained a great deal of notoriety on a national scale since its inception and partnering with a company like ADIDAS.”

“The Maxwell Football Club and ADIDAS have a rich history with the game of football and we’re proud to be associated with the longest running football club in the country,” Shannon Ferbrache, ADIDAS director of US sports — Grassroots said.

Sixteen semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 12. Six finalists will be announced on Dec. 15. The winner will be announced Jan. 18.