Markezz Hightower is the Mingua Beef Jerky Protein-packed Performer of the Week @markezz_25, @BlueGreyFB, @All_American_Me, @Maroon_FB_MNHHS, @minguabeefjerky, @bigassfans, @LasatersCoffee, @khassfootball, @KyHighFootball

’26 RB and Mr. Football leading candidate showing off his versatility

Markezz Hightower is among the more versatile players in the KHSAA. The ’26 “Mr. Football” candidate rushed for 1,604 yards in 206-carries (7.79-yards per rushing attempt), scored a TD every 10th carry in 5A football, and tallied 138-points to lead the team in scoring. Hightower contributed on offense, both rushing and receiving; on defense, where he picked a pass; and on special teams, where he converted six (6) times on two (2) point conversions. Hightower has the skill set to do it all, and that would include winning the coveted “Mr. Football” award at year’s end. 🎶They always call him Mr. Touchdown.🎶 They may have a new title for him when it is all said and done this Fall.

HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”

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Ronnie Mingua began experimenting with making beef jerky back in the 1990s. He shared his efforts with neighbors and friends, soon realizing he had come up with something different and superior to all other beef jerkies on the market. From these humble beginnings, Mingua Beef Jerky got its start.  

Today, the Mingua Beef Jerky Company still prides itself on using its old-fashioned, all-natural recipes which offer outstanding products to customers across the nation. The recipes are a family tradition, passed down from generation to generation.     

Our recipes and our quality ingredients, hand-cut from solid pieces of beef, are never chopped or formed like other brands, making our products superior and one of a kind. That would make our products similar to this week’s Protein-packed Performer, Markezz Hightower, ’26 RB from Madisonville North Hopkins High School in Madisonville, Kentucky. 

Madisonville, KY: Most seasons we weigh in on Mr. Football candidates. Most seasons the people we weigh in on end up taking home the hardware.

Several years ago we told you about Isaac Dixon from Belfry. At years end, you guys agreed with us about his being the best football player in Kentucky and voted him “Mr. Football.”

A year or two later we were extolling the prowess of Daniel Thomas from Bell County. At season’s end, that year (2023), he was taking home his “Mr. Football” award.

Last year, it was Boyle County’s Montavin Quisenberry taking home the “Mr. Football” hardware. We predicted his getting in the race four years before he won the award.

If you will recall, we wrote he was the top skill player in his class (2025) way back in October of 2021. At the time, “Q,” as we dubbed him, had just finished his freshman season at Garrard County. Here is the article.

The point is, we know about what we are talking when it comes to making such predictions. The proof is in the pudding.

We like Markezz Hightower for this year’s award. Now that prediction is predicated on a couple of contingencies.

First of all, Hightower has to remain healthy and continue to put up similar numbers to what he has before posted. In ’24, Hightower was among the more versatile threats in the offensive backfield in the KHSAA.

As Coach Lyon detailed in his scouting report above set forth, Hightower, as a junior, rushed for 1,604 yards in 206-carries (7.79-yards per rushing attempt), scored a TD every 10th carry in 5A football (20 rushing TDs), and tallied 138-points (20 TDs rushing, one receiving, and six two-pointers) to lead the team in scoring. Hightower contributed on offense, both rushing and receiving; on defense, where he picked a pass; and on special teams, where he converted six (6) times on two (2) point conversions.

Hightower is 5’10,” and weighs 185. The 4.5-second 40-yard dasher has a 35-inch vertical leap, bench presses 290 lbs., reps the HS reps weight (185-pounds) 15-times, and squats 450 lbs.

Hightower pulls 515 lbs., power cleans 230, and runs a fully automated 11-seconds flat in the 100-meters during track season. Track times are laser-timed. They are painstakingly accurate.

Hightower doesn’t have to pull the weight alone. Jayden Travis (’26) is among the very best TEs in the KHSAA and a bone fide All-State candidate (25-receptions in ’24). Travion Stafford (’26, 90-tackles, three TFLs) and Kirk LaGrange (’26, 64-tackles, a FR, and 4-INTs) will help hold down the defense.

Kadence Price (’27) is a weight room warhorse who is chocked full of power, strength, and explosion while Ryder Sandidge proved among the better ’27s (71-tackles, a FF, three FRs, and a pair of INTs) in the 5A classification a season ago. Don’t be fooled, having some talent in the stable ensuring a successful season is an important part of any Mr. Football race.

There was a song once which always reminded me of Markezz Hightower. The song was (and still is) called Mr. Touchdown. A review of the lyrics may somewhat reveal why it makes me think of Hightower and players like him.

🎶They always call him Mr. Touchdown.
They always call him Mr. Team.
He can run, and kick and throw.
Give him the ball and just look at him go!
Hip, hip, hooray for Mr. Touchdown!
He's gonna beat 'em today!
So give a great big cheer for the hero of the year!
It's Mr. Touchdown, U.S.A.!🎶

If you read this forum often, you know we put a high price on player value, player versatility, resulting in a team’s enjoying great success. Give the lyrics above another read and hit the link and enjoy the song.

Surely, we don’t have to connect these dots for you. Markezz Hightower is Madisonville North Hopkins’s “Mr. Touchdown.” The Maroons call him Mr. Team.

Hightower can run, kick and throw. Just give him the ball and just look at Hightower go.

So give a great big cheer for the hero of the year! It’s Mr. Football, KHSAA! You may add Mr. Mingua Beef Jerky to his growing list of titles.

Join us next week as we return to honor another weekly prize winner. Until then, pop some Mingua Beef Jerky in your mouth and savor the quality and flavor which sets it apart from the competition. Remember, our product is superior and one of a kind; just like Madisonville North Hopkins High’s Markezz Hightower