2022 Statewide Top Performers: Playoffs Round 3

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">While the regular season was fun while it lasted, the most exciting time of the year in high school football is here. The 2022 high school football playoffs are in full swing and we have had some very impressive performances so far. Things are starting to come down to the wire now as we have already made it through the first three rounds. With that being said, here are the top performances that stood out from last week's third round playoff action.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373042"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='373042' first='Cortez' last='Stone'] continued to show that he is one of the best running backs in the state this past week. The sophomore ball carrier helped lead Central to a 55-19 victory over Logan County, carrying the ball 22 times for 363 yards and five touchdowns. Stone continued to showcase his electric speed, hitting the running lane and simply running away from the defense for long runs. He also showed the ability to make cuts on the dime to make defenders miss in the open field. Stone also showed some reliability in the passing game, catching two passes for 27 yards. Cortez currently holds offers from Purdue, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and Louisville, and I expect that list to continue to grow as he is a true Power 5 caliber talent.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Tyler Ballard","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Louisville Holy Cross","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Tyler Ballard is a player that I've had my eyes on throughout the season. He grabbed my attention this past week as he played a key role in Holy Cross' 24-12 victory over Crittenden County. The senior inside linebacker finished the game with eight total tackles, four tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble. He did a great job of reading his keys and exploding through his gap against the run. Once he got to the ball carrier, he did a good job of running his feet to secure the tackle. Ballard also did a good job of timing his blitzes when defending the pass which made it tough for the opposing offensive line to pick him up. Once he got to the quarterback, he finished with a ton of physicality to make sure his presence was felt. He also made an impact on offense, carrying the ball 13 times for 67 yards. Tyler currently holds one offer from Wilmington College but he deserves more attention from college coaches as he has the talent to be a solid player at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Tyleeq Williams","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'5u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Bardstown ","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Tyleeq Williams has been a key part of Bardstown's success this season and continued to impress this past week. Williams helped lead Bardstown to a 66-33 win over Union County, running the ball 18 times for 237 yards and three touchdowns. He has great vision as a ball carrier, showing the ability to find the running lane and hit it with a sense of urgency. Williams also uses his vision to find cut back lanes in the open field and shows the ability to cut on the dime to make defenders miss. He also shows the strength to keep his feet churning through contact to pick up extra yards and the speed to break away from the defense. Williams also made an impact on defense, finishing the game with three tackles and a forced fumble. Tyleeq doesn't currently hold any offers but I see him as a name to watch going into his final season as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["386899"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='386899' first='Gavin' last='Copenhaver'] is a player that I've had high on my radar all season as he does a little bit of everything for CAL. Copenhaver had another impressive performance this past week in a 30-24 victory over Paducah Tilghman. He finished the game with 20 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Gavin is a downhill runner with the ability to break tackles without breaking stride and the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. He also showed the ability to make catches out of the backfield, catching three passes for 30 yards and two touchdowns. Copenhaver also continued to show the ability to fly around the field and make tackles as a linebacker, finishing the game with eleven total tackles and three tackles for loss. Gavin currently holds offers from Valparaiso, McKendree, and Dayton, and I see him thriving at the next level as a player that can produce on either side of the ball.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["385943"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"Another player that has had an impressive senior year is [player_tooltip player_id='385943' first='Blake' last='Birchfield'] from Pikeville. The senior running back played a key role in their 43-7 win over Paintsville, running the ball 23 times for 220 yards and four touchdowns. Birchfield has very good vision, showing the patience to let his blocks set up then coming downhill in a hurry once the running lane opens. He also shows impressive strength as a ball carrier, keeping his feet churning through contact to pick up extra yards. Once he hits the open field, Birchfield showed that he has the speed to break away from the defense. Blake currently holds offers from Centre, Denison, Hanover, and Pikeville, and I could see him being a key play maker for any of those teams at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["381938"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='381938' first='Noah' last='Wallace'] has been a key part of Raceland's success this season, making plays on both sides of the ball. He continued to stand out this past week in Raceland's 17-14 win over Hazard. On offense, Wallace ran the ball 15 times for 128 yards and a touchdown. Wallace showed a nice amount of burst out of his stance as a ball carrier with the ability to break tackles without breaking stride. He also showed a tremendous amount of elusiveness in the open field with the ability to make cuts on the dime to make defenders miss. On defense, Noah finished the game with  12 total tackles and one tackle for loss from the safety position. He also showed the ability to break on the ball and catch it in stride, coming away with one interception and returning it for 69 yards. Noah doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Luke Runyon","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Newport Central Catholic ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Luke Runyon is a player that I hadn't gotten the chance to evaluate this season but grabbed my attention this past week. Runyon played a key role on both sides of the ball in his team's 28-21 victory over Kentucky Country Day. On offense, Runyon ran the ball seven times for 95 yards and three touchdowns. Runyon was able to use his speed to get to the outside and run away from the defense once he turned up the field. He also caught three passes for 26 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Runyon lined up at safety and did a great job of coming downhill to fill the lane and make tackles. He finished the game with 16 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Luke doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"Kaiden Zulager ","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Lloyd Memorial","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another senior running back that impressed me this past week is Kaiden Zulager from Lloyd Memorial. He helped lead his team to a 41-32 win over Breathitt County, running the ball 17 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns. Zulager also showed the ability to make catches out of the backfield, finishing the game with a 28-yard receiving touchdown. He also showed that he is a very dangerous returner on special teams, returning a kickoff for a touchdown on Friday. Kaiden currently holds one offer from Union College and I could see more coming his way as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"Cannon Sheffer","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Union County","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Cannon Sheffer had an impressive final season of high school football and was a key part of Union County's success. Although his team fell short to a very good Bardstown team, Sheffer continued to showcase his talent, completing 28/48 passes for 385 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He throws a nice deep ball with good touch, putting it where only his receiver can get to it. Sheffer also has the ability to fit passes into tight windows in the short and intermediate passing game. Cannon doesn't currently hold any offers but deserves some looks from college coaches as he has the potential to develop into a solid quarterback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["287571"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"While he is best known for his talent at linebacker, [player_tooltip player_id='287571' first='Jeremiah' last='Goodwin'] had a great game on the offensive side of the ball this past week. Goodwin played a key role in Owensboro's 36-0 win over Fairdale, carrying the ball eight times for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He showed the speed to get to the outside and run away from the defense once he hit the open field. Goodwin also showed great contact balance, showing the ability to keeping running without breaking stride while taking on contact. Jeremiah continued to make an impact on defense as well, finishing the game with seven tackles and one tackle for loss. Goodwin currently holds offers from Morehead State, Southeast Missouri State, and Lindsey Wilson, and I could see more coming his way as he has the talent to be a very good player at the next level.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637e7b6e27928"} /-->