X Factors in 3A

Photo: PRZ

Nick Rock September 23, 2022 @ 05:02 PM

3A has some very impressive players through their first 5 weeks of play, which includes the Mustain brothers down at Pusch Ridge. Take a look at 5 X factors through the midway point in 3A:     [player_tooltip player_id='110093' first='Tyler' last='Mustain'], ATH, Pusch Ridge '23   Mustain is an all out threat from anywhere he lines up and possesses excellent athleticism to excel from anywhere. A very dynamic player that is a true difference maker on both sides of the ball, and his film and numbers speak volumes. At WR, he's hauled in 11 receptions for 241 yards and 4 TD's. On defense, Mustain has already racked up 68 total takles with 6 TFL's, 2.5 sacks, 2 FF and a FR. Mustain sizes up with a 6'2" 220lb frame and is a level ahead of his competition every week. He picked up a Northern Arizona offer back in August, but this is definitely a small school kid that colleges need to take another look at. Very imressive year thus far for Mustain.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/TylerMustain/status/1569538962716499968?s=20&t=IKOus9bq52t9kZb6EvvpzQ </div></figure>   [player_tooltip player_id='115507' first='Gage' last='Baker'], QB, Paradise Honors '24   Baker is an absolutle gunslinger here in 2022, as he's thrown for 1,404 yards and 14 TD's with just 3 INT's to start Paradise Honors off to a 3-1 start. He's done an excellent job reading defenses and scanning the field to deliver throws with solid placement in the soft spots. Really good finesse with a smooth release, as he is one of the most dangerous natural passers in 3A if he can get the time to throw. Really impressive midway point for Baker as he'll continue to climb up the charts.     [player_tooltip player_id='217572' first='Bubba' last='Mustain'], QB, Pusch Ridge '24   The other Mustain is also a standout in 3A, frequently dicing up defenses with his arm and holds the ability to make something happen on the ground. He's thrown for 1,274 yards and 16 TD's with only 1 INT, while adding 220 yards and 6 TD's on the ground on 31 carries. Mustain has flashed good arm strength with the ability to hit throws with velocity and timing, and deliver those off platform throws with accuracy as well. He's maturing extremely quick and well and should be putting his name on colleges radar. <img class="wp-image-426642" style="width: 270px;" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2022/08/PRZ-Generic-crop-652x428-1661446079.jpeg" alt="">     Jake Purdy, DE, River Valley '23   Purdy has been a relentless player at DE for River Valley thus far. He's racked up 63 total tackles (39 solo) and leads 3A in sacks with 8. Good quickness and lateral agility off the edges with some twitch as he's shown the ability to beat OT's with better overall athleticism. His 5'8" 190lb frame actually works to his advantage at the 3A level, given his stature and quickness are a mismatch against slower, lunging OT's. I think his skillset would translate to an OLB at the DIII level.     [player_tooltip player_id='214113' first='Ashton' last='Loftin'], WR, Chino Valley '23   Loftin has been that big play WR1 for Chino and has put up some solid numbers the past 5 weeks. He's snagged 22 receptions for 416 yards and 5 TD's, as he's sitting at #3 in the state in receiving yards. Not a ton of film on him thus far, but there's been a solid buz about Loftin this fall and his numbers speak for themselves.

3A has some very impressive players through their first 5 weeks of play, which includes the Mustain brothers down at Pusch Ridge. Take a look at 5 X factors through the midway point in 3A: