Offensive Players of the Week from Week 1

The beginning of the 2021 high school football season started off with a bang, being headlined by some notable match-ups between premier programs and some truly remarkable performances from players across the state. While there are many very talented players in the state of Colorado, these three players were the top offensive performers of week one. <strong>Players of the Week</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="22753" first="Sam" last="Beers"], Air Academy Kadets (RB)(Jr.)(42) - To this point in his career so far, Beers has been the focal point of the Kadet offense. He’s been a workhorse since his freshman year and if his week one performance against Liberty is any indication, he hasn’t missed a beat. Beers was easily the top rushing performer in the state last Friday night, rushing for an eye-popping 372 yards and 4 touchdowns. Beers displays a very physical running style, supported by his strong core and lower body that allows him to power through smaller defenders and arm tackles with relative ease. He’s an aggressive ball carrier that doesn’t shy away from contact and often takes multiple defenders to bring him down. Displays adequate athleticism and foot speed, routinely pulling away from second and third level defenders if they take a bad angle. While Beers might not be on anybody’s recruiting radar, he deserves to be. He displays all the requisite physical tools to succeed and the production to match. He’ll definitely be somebody worth following the next two seasons. [player_tooltip player_id="22726" first="Keegan" last="Patterson"], Longmont Trojans (QB)(Sr.)(15) - Patterson came into the 2021 season hoping to continue the momentum from a Covid shortened, six game 2020 season, where he was the state’s leading passer and that certainly looks to be the case again this season looking at his night against the Chatfield Chargers. Patterson was the state’s top passer from week one as he threw for 385 yards and accounted for an impressive 5 touchdowns, albeit in a losing effort, as the Trojans came up just short 49-43. Patterson displays outstanding touch on deep ball and boundary throws, routinely dropping it on the outside shoulder of the receiver just passed the defender’s reach. Overall ball placement is good, as he consistently gives his receivers the best chance possible to make a play on the ball on contested catches, while also consistently hitting receivers in stride on short and intermediate level throws. Very savvy passer that can quickly identify the shell of the defense (middle of the field open/middle of the field closed) and understands where to go based off that look. An excellent example of this being a vertical route up the seam that he squeezed in against a three high look (Cover 3) in the third quarter, identifying the coverage/rotation and immediately knowing where to go with the ball in between the deep corner and safety in the middle of the field. Good athleticism that allows him to escape the pocket and buy time to throw, while also presenting another threat for the opposing defense in the running game, as 3 of his 5 touchdowns came on the ground. Patterson is currently rated as the sixth best QB in the state and, if he continues his high level of play, should only grow his recruiting profile from here. Bo Lapenna, Adams City Eagles (RB)(Sr.)(34) - Lapenna started off his senior season for the Adams City Eagles about as well as he could have, rushing for 260 yards and accounting for 4 total touchdowns in the 52-30 win against the Kennedy Commanders. Much like Beers at the Air Academy, Lapenna is a tall, down-hill runner that plays with exceptional physicality. Excellent lower body and core strength allow him to generate great pop/force at the point-of-contact to drive through defenders and finish the run. This trait being displayed on his third touchdown of the day, as he lowered his shoulder and muscled through two defenders to score. Also displays deceptive foot speed given his size that allows him to break away from second and third level defenders if he gets enough space. Willing and able blocker that doesn’t back down from blitzing defenders; consistently bringing the same pop/force at the point-of-contact that he displays while running the ball. Lapenna might not be a well-known name in recruiting circles, but he is absolutely a gifted player that should see his name get more attention if he continues to have performances like he did against the Commanders. As stated earlier, there are many stars in the state of Colorado, but these three were the brightest of week one. I think I speak for everybody when I say that I’m ecstatic football is back to some sense of normalcy in the Covid world we’re currently living in; and judging by the performances of Beers, Patterson, and Lapenna in week one - I think they are too.