SD Top Offensive Players of Week 9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Justin Zerpel - QB, West Central </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Zirpel was a dual threat when he was behind center this game and he was taking it over as the game went, making his stat line reflect the performance that he had on the night. His ability to command and control the game was unmatched in this game, it felt as if Zirpel was in the driver's seat and no one was able to take him out of it. His stats on the night show that he was in control going 23-30 on the night whilst also having 285 passing yards overall on the night. Where he really took over the game was the rushing attack that he gave West Central and how that opened up opportunities for more plays and misdirection to cause their offense to be running well. He rushed 17 times total on the night while having 129 rushing yards overall to boot. Tack on 3 total touchdowns, 2 of which were passing and 1 running, and you have a performance by a QB who showed he was in control and wanted to make an impact any way he could. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='242335' first='Carson' last='Kirwan'] - WR, Castlewood</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Kirwan did not get the ball in his hands much this game when he did get the ball in his hands, he made the most of it and truly made the defense pay for leaving him up. That was the theme of the game for Kirwan, that being that when he had the chance to break off for big yardage gains, more often than not he did. Kirwan exploited one on coverage at times and also found some holes in zones but that allowed him just a total reception number of 3 on the night but his yardage overall 122 receiving yards overall. When he did get the ball in his hands, good luck trying to stop him in any way, he was agile and elusive when he was in the open field, allowing him to take the ball to the endzone on those big receptions that he had. He also had some rushing numbers on the night with him only having 23 yards overall but also having 2 rushing touchdowns to counteract that low number. Kirwan also added on a receiving touchdown for good measure to solidify this as a standout performance and shows his lethality as an elusive wideout. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ryker Peterson - RB, Philip </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Peterson was an offensive machine for his team and it was in truly dominating fashion, not getting many carriers but having lots of yards and TDs shows that he was ready to run going into his game. Peterson slotted in as the lead back and he sure showed us why he is a top back when he gets going, he does not need much to beat you and if you do not stop, you will not be winning a game facing him. He had 10 rushes overall on the night but having those 10 rushes go for 198 rushings overall. This not only showed that he was able to run the ball effectively but he was also able to do it powerfully, breaking through defenders and racking up big gains. Peterson casually added on 5 touchdowns and he just made it look too easy this game, being able to make gaps for big runs and score some big points for his team. Overall, Peterson was not able to be stopped, and seeing the tape of it is even more impressive, he will be on my watch list as we roll into the playoffs. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hayden Christopherson - QB, Vermillion</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christopherson was the catalyst that his team not only looks to but for them to rally around as their leader, and in this game, he truly stepped up to the task of being an elite QB. Christopherson was airing it our all game and that is what was working for the Tangers, beating the opponent's defense in the air and opening up other lanes to attack. Christopherson seemed to make all the right throws in what seemed like all the right moments, which is exactly what his team needed from him in this close game. While it is not the most eye-catching stat line, it is what he did off-the-box score that was impressive, making key plays to keep his team in the game and allow them to be in it at all times. Make no mistake his numbers were just as great, he went 23-35 on the night while also tossing for 276 yards overall while having 3 passing touchdowns as well. Christopherson made key passes and clutch play to make him that guy for the Vermillion team, and without him, they would have had a very different night. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->