Midseason Offensive Players of the Year
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It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the half way point of the 2021 prep football season. The first season back to some sense of normalcy since the Covid pandemic started has certainly not disappointed to this point so far, with…
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Continue ReadingIt’s hard to believe we’ve reached the half way point of the 2021 prep football season. The first season back to some sense of normalcy since the Covid pandemic started has certainly not disappointed to this point so far, with many incredibly talented players having remarkable performances. Through five weeks, here have been the best four offensive players in the state and a look at what’s made them great this season.
Midseason Players of the Year
Sam Beers Sam Beers 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Air Academy | 2023 State CO , Air Academy Kadets (RB)(Jr.)(42) – Beers has been the state’s top rushing performer, by far and away. If he continues with his current production, he is on pace for just under 2,000 yards and a ridiculous 32 touchdowns. Through five weeks, Beers has accounted for 975 yards on 96 carries and 16 touchdowns. His yard-per-carry average is currently sitting at an insane 10.2 yards. He averages a first down every time he carries the ball, for perspective. When you put on the tape, you can see that 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. Beers is currently sitting at the number 8 spot for RBs in the state for 2023, but I don’t think this ranking does his talent and production any justice. To say he’s been dominant would be an understatement and he is a rare talent to follow the next two seasons.
Gavin Sawchuk Gavin Sawchuk RB Valor Christian | 2022 State CO , Valor Christian Eagles (RB)(Sr.)(27) – It shouldn’t be a surprise to many to see Sawchuk on this list. The top rated player in the state for the class of 2022 and Oklahoma commit has lived up to expectations, being a consistently dominant work horse for the Eagles’ offense. On the season, Sawchuk has carried the ball 111 times for 759 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a 6.8 yard-per-carry average; with both the yardage and touchdowns coming second only to Sam Beers Sam Beers 5'10" | 200 lbs | RB Air Academy | 2023 State CO . Turning to the tape, Sawchuk displays an explosive, one-cut running style that allows him to accelerate laterally and gain space from defenders with relative ease. Elite level foot speed allows him to hit an extra gear and pull away from just about any second and third level defender, even if a good angle is taken by the defender. Exceptionally thick and strong lower body allows him to maintain outstanding pad level while running through contact, giving him the ability to maintain his balance/low center of gravity at the point of contact. Brings great physicality behind his runs in between the tackles, not shying away from contact to finish runs falling forward. The four-star prospect’s production is what you’d expect from a blue-chip prospect and will be fun to see the rest of this season and for the next three or four seasons in Norman.
Bekkem Kritza, Fairview Knights (QB)(Fr.)(8) – Kritza has, easily, been one of the state’s top passers to this point in the season…and he’s a freshman. Kritza, through five weeks, has gone 126 of 196 (64%) for 1,629 yards, 12 touchdowns against just 3 interceptions, and a QBR of 104.3. Looking at the film, you can see Kritza is a tall, long-armed QB with a quick release that has excellent ball placement on deep and intermediate throws. Strong armed passer that can hit every level of the field with little to no difficulty, and his arm strength also contributes to his ability to squeeze throws into tight windows. Intelligent QB with the ability to read the rotation of the coverage shell and identify the holes in zone coverage underneath. While not lightning in a bottle athletically, he has outstanding pocket presence and enough mobility to avoid the rush and buy himself time to find a receiver downfield. Good accuracy moving out of the pocket and throwing on the run/off-platform with varying arm angles to get the ball around defenders. This type of consistent talent and production at a young age is rare and Kritza truly has the potential to be special. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he could be the top player in the state in 2025 if he continues on his current trajectory.
Joseph Capra Joseph Capra 6'1" | 165 lbs | QB Denver South | 2023 State CO , Denver South Ravens (QB)(Jr.)(7) – I was originally only going to include three players on this list, but Capra’s production and tape were too good to ignore. Capra has been the heartbeat of the explosive Ravens’ offense and one of the state’s top passers, as he’s posted a remarkable stat line, going 62 of 98 (63%) for 1,262 yards, a state leading 17 touchdowns against just 2 interceptions, a QBR of 138.0, and an absurd 20.4 yards per completion average to this point in the season. Oh, he’s also accounted for 362 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground, averaging 9.1 yards per carry. Capra has been a consistent force for the Ravens and when you turn on the film, it’s easy to see why. The first trait that stands out about Capra is his arm strength. The ball seems to jump out of his hand with relative ease, as he can make every throw to every area of the field with almost the flick of a wrist. Displays a consistent, smooth, over-the-top release and technically sound footwork that leads to consistent accuracy/ball placement on throws to every level of the field. Also displays an ability to throw off-platform and from different arm angles with good accuracy. A combination of outstanding athleticism and pocket presence allow him to buy just enough time against the rush to find a receiver open downfield, almost never looking to scramble immediately after feeling pressure. In addition, his outstanding athleticism also allows him to present a threat on designed runs or when he does need to scramble. Displays good vision and patience as a runner to find space, with enough foot speed to pull away from second and third level defenders. Requisite lower body and core strength allow him to run with adequate power at the point-of-contact. Elusive in one-on-one situations with defenders in the open field. Capra is currently rated the number 8 QB in the 2023 class, but if his production continues to be consistently high, he will definitely deserve a boost in that rating. He’ll be an intriguing player to follow the rest of this year and into next year.