2022 5A Offensive Player of the Year Candidates

Whether you’re sipping on your favorite drink poolside, going camping at your favorite outdoor spot, or reeling in some fish at your local lake, summer is officially here. With the heat in full effect during the month of June and the weather only supposed to get hotter, it is never too early to start looking ahead at the cooler weather this fall when players from all across the state will be showcasing their talent and skill for all to see. Who will rise to the cream of the crop from the offensive side of the ball in 2022? Let’s dive right into it! &nbsp; <em><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="150189" first="Tyler" last="Kubat"] 6’5" 200 Fossil Ridge</strong> </em> <em>Class of 2023 (#3 QB, #27 Overall) </em> <em>2021 Stats: 212/369, 3,116 Yards, 283.3 YPG, 27 TD’s, 11 INT’s </em> It is only fitting that a quarterback is the first name on this list, and it is surely deserved. With ideal size at the position and a rocket for an arm, Kubat’s most slept on ability might be his sneaky athleticism. As a junior in 2021, Kubat managed to elude pressure at a steady rate and even escape the pocket with his 216 rushing yards. Not to mention, but he will have talented wideouts at his disposal in [player_tooltip player_id="62214" first="Mac" last="Busteed"] and Trek Keyworth, who are both coming off huge seasons from a year ago. https://twitter.com/SixZeroAcademy/status/1532181825790935040 <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13079947/61844c834ba7ec0b64413a35" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>WR [player_tooltip player_id="22761" first="Ismael" last="Cisse"] 6’0" 175 Cherry Creek</strong> </em> <em>Class of 2023 ( #1 WR, #5 Overall)</em> <em><strong>2021 Stats:</strong> 39 REC, 652 Yards, 16.7 AVG, 50.2 YPG, 6 TD’s </em> Cisse’s game and overall talent is one that cannot be coached or taught. Ranked as the top receiving prospect in the class of 2023, the Cherry Creek wideout has the best chance out of the receiving corps in the state of Colorado to take home OPOY honors. Cisse possesses great fluidity in his route running ability, showcase strong hands when pinpointing the football, and has next level speed that can blow the roof off of any defense. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12862605/61491e64f31c9314b8f582df" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> https://twitter.com/IsmaelCisse_/status/1528474144240566272 &nbsp; <em><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="150207" first="Tyree" last="Trusty"] 5’10" 195 Columbine</strong> </em> <em>Class of 2023 (#3 RB, #28 Overall) </em> <em><strong>2021 Stats:</strong> 147 CAR, 966 Yards, 6.6 AVG, 74.3 YPG, 6 TD’s </em> One of my favorite all-around backs in the Centennial State, Mr. Trusty is shifty and full of electric playmaking abilities. Taking a look into the run-heavy Columbine backfield, Trusty should be the top dog in an offense that may end up running things through him. With incredible patience at the line of scrimmage and impeccable lateral movement, don’t be surprised if the soon-to-be senior tailback has a chance to take it to the house with the ball in his hands. Expect a big year from the Rebels top ball carrier. https://twitter.com/TyreeTrusty/status/1530265762472026120 &nbsp; <em><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="62228" first="Cole" last="LaCrue"] 6’2" 190 Broomfield </strong></em> <em>Class of 2023 (#4 QB, #32 Overall) </em> <em><strong>2021 Stats:</strong></em> <em>Passing: 173/279, 2,365 Yards, 215.0 YPG, 21 TD’s, 5 INT’s </em> <em>                    Rushing: 106 CAR, 558 Yards, 5.3 AVG, 50.7 YPG, 8 TD’s </em> The second field general on this list to be included, LaCrue is as talented as they come. Another quarterback from the northern region of Colorado, LaCrue certainly makes the opposition pay when given a clean pocket by effortlessly snapping his right arm down the field, connecting with his wideouts a splendid 62% of the time. Additionally, the 2021 season saw LaCrue develop a lethal dual-threat game that is tough for any defense to stop. With a great overall football IQ  and having showcased tremendous leadership traits during his junior year, Lacrue’s final season as an Eagle has a chance to be his best one yet. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12801797/6191c6e1ff01f00d88426ce8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>RB [player_tooltip player_id="22757" first="Carlson" last="Tann"] 5’10" 175 Cherry Creek </strong></em> <em>Class of 2023 (#2 RB, #24 Overall) </em> <em><strong>2021 Stats: </strong>N/A </em> The Bruins are no strangers in building a winning foundation and culture within their program. With proficiently skilled athletes at almost every position, Cherry Creek are contenders year in and year out. A big reason they may win the state title for a fourth straight season? Look no further than running back [player_tooltip player_id="22757" first="Carlson" last="Tann"], who already was a main contributor in helping the Bruins bring home state in 2021. Tann is a rare talent when it comes to running backs, as he uses other-worldly strength for a runner that stands under six-feet tall. Combine that power with elite agility and a high-motor that only increases in intensity when the game reaches its final stages, and you have one heck of a weapon on offense. <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15346888/61cc0da0dfd81809ccd9449d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> https://twitter.com/TannBubba/status/1467651407490990083 &nbsp; <em><strong>QB [player_tooltip player_id="165130" first="Bekkem" last="Kritza"] 6’4" 180 Fairview </strong></em> <em>Class of 2025 (Watch List Nominee)</em> <em><strong>2021 Stats: </strong>268/413, 3,192 Yards, 319.2 YPG, 22 TD’s, 8 INT’s </em> All the craze and hype fell upon this young man’s shoulders during first year of high school ball at Fairview High, and for good reason. Already a towering 6’4" with possible room for even more growth, Kritza already contains an ideal size for a quarterback wanting to play at the next level. With three years left until Kritza gets to that point, the sky is the limit for a signal caller that has an exuberant amount of time to polish his overall game. After racking up the third-most passing yards in the state in 2021, it isn’t crazy to think that Kritza can take home offensive player of the year numbers in just his second season of high school football. https://twitter.com/EdOBrienCFB/status/1535421714212978688 <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16078708/618dadbc5caa7a0a6c119f7d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <em><strong>RB Marcus Talbert 5’10" 170 Pomona</strong></em> <em>Class of 2024 (Watch List Nominee) </em> <em><strong>2021 Stats: </strong>69 CAR, 410 Yards, 5.9 AVG, 34.2 YPG, 2 TD’s </em> Ladies and gentleman, I would like to introduce you to Marcus Talbert. While many of you may already know of him, the fall of 2022 may be Talbert’s time to shine in the Pomona backfield. While he split carries a season ago in a more committee approach that still showed great success under coach Nathan Johnson and company, Talbert is ready for the spotlight. Eager to show the rest of the state what he is all about, Talbert will be entering his junior year with a complete and balanced arsenal of skills that should give him the edge over the competition in most games he suits up for. If he can stay healthy the majority of the season, there’s no doubt that Talbert can be one of the best running backs in Class 5A. https://twitter.com/MarcusTalbertJ1/status/1532925141633511424 &nbsp; <iframe src="https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16604542/6156c0aeb023030be49d6419" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;