Small School Standouts

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Take a look at which small school athletes are making a name for themselves through 2 weeks: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='217572' first='Bubba' last='Mustain'], <strong><em>QB, Pusch Ridge '24</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mustain is continuing to show why he is one of, if not the best offensive player in 3A right now. He's shown good arm strength with the ability to fit throws in with velociy and timing, and has done a great job delivering accurate throws off platform frequenly. He often finds his older brother Tyler downfield, who is also a standout on that PRCA squad. His official stats haven't been listed yet, but he is most definitely putting up OPOY perfromances and should be on your radar. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='115507' first='Gage' last='Baker'], <strong><em>QB, Paradise Honors '23</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Baker has thrown for 795 yards and 6 TD's in what looks to be the start of a promising season. Accurate arm with the ability to finesse throws in over and between opponents, as he had a great throw last week on a seam for a 33 yard TD. He's done a solid job wih his pre-snap read to identify coverage shells pre snap, and has flashed the ability to manipulate with his eyes. Overall a big time start for a talented junior QB. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Qb12_GageBaker/status/1558564424767586304?s=20u0026t=3ETPUo6Iy73BrXEF72NdJg","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Qb12_GageBaker/status/1558564424767586304?s=20&amp;t=3ETPUo6Iy73BrXEF72NdJg </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jovonte Wall</strong>, <strong><em>RB, Coolidge '2</em>4</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wall flashes a nice initial burst and twitch with good top end speed to finish big plays. A definite big play threat given his speed and burst, and has rushed for 274 yards and 4 TD's through the first 2 weeks. Coolidge has a loaded backfield with [player_tooltip player_id='127492' first='Gianni' last='Mascolino'], and standout Belclem Namegabe also opening eyes on both sides of the ball, so it'll be interesting to see how the numbers take off the rest of the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='110120' first='Vance' last='Cooper'], <strong><em>RB, Paradise Honors '23</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cooper has been a multidimensional threat thus far for Paradise Honors. He's rushed for 234 yards and 4 TD's and has hauled in 13 receptions for 172 yards. He runs with a purpose and displays solid physicality at the POC and has done a great job keeping his legs driving forward. Physical player with solid vision as he is emerging as a top ball carrier in 3A and will continue to have a solid year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ray Pedraza</strong>, <strong><em>ATH, Show Low '23</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pedraza has scored twice on 2 touches, accumulated 14 total tackles, and has picked off 3 passes already in which he looks like the player that Show Low needed to step up. Through 2 weeks, Pedraza has been a clutch player for Show Low, making a difference from anywhere he lines up. It'll be interesting to see how he's utilized going forward. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->