4A Playoffs – Players To Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering Knight25 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2022 regular season has come to an end and it's time to start taking a look at the playoffs! Prep Redzone Oklahoma will be your home for the playoffs from now until the last state champion is crowned in Edmond. In this post, we're taking a look and breaking down some of the top players to watch in the Class 4A playoffs. In case you missed it, you can check out our 4A playoff preview <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/11/class-4a-playoff-preview-2/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/11/class-4a-playoff-preview-2/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RIGHT HERE</a></strong>. Keep it locked in for more playoff preview content throughout the next week ONLY on Prep Redzone Oklahoma!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["54349"],"_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":"We've written already this week how Cushing has one of the best offenses in the state and senior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='54349' first='Blaze' last='Berlowitz'] is a big reason behind that. Berlowitz nearly has 3,000 yards on the season and has thrown 40 touchdowns on the season with just 4 interceptions. In all ten games this season, Berlowitz has thrown at least three touchdowns. We knew that Cushing's offense had the potential to be pretty special with Berlowitz returning and nearly every piece back on that side of the ball. But he's exceeded all preseason expectations and become one of the top quarterbacks in the state. Committed to New Mexico State, Berlowitz has established himself as not only a strong high school quarterback who puts up numbers, but he's a legitimate D1 prospect at QB.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["215570"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"The only sophomore to make this breakdown is Tuttle standout [player_tooltip player_id='215570' first='Brady' last='McAdoo']. We wrote about the Tuttle standout earlier this season and how head coach Brad Ballard wasn't sure what he had with McAdoo because of his versatility. We know exactly what he meant after watching McAdoo in person and on film. The sophomore is a dynamic weapon on the offensive side of the ball. He can be used as a running back and a wide receiver. He also is just as dangerous in the return game. Then he also starts for the Tigers on defense and he's one of the hardest hitters in the Tuttle secondary. As a prospect, we have no idea where McAdoo projects in terms of his position. For the playoffs, it seems certain that McAdoo is going to have a big impact on Tuttle's playoff journey.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["38715"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The only school to have two players on this breakdown is top-ranked Cushing with their QB and fellow senior wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='38715' first='Camden' last='Crooks']. A four-year starter, Crooks has been a star since his sophomore season. Crooks is well on his way to becoming a finalist for this year's Prep Redzone Oklahoma Player Of The Year award. If he finds himself as a finalist, he would be a three-time finalist. Crooks has put up monster numbers once again this season. On offense, Crooks is a dynamic wide receiver and he makes ten catches, 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns with an interception or two on defense look routine. The duo of Berlowitz and Crooks on the offensive side of the ball is truly dynamic and it's hard to argue there are any duos much better than this one.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["215196"],"_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":"Poteau is one of the top contenders in the 4A playoffs this season and a big reason is junior running back and overall athlete [player_tooltip player_id='215196' first='Dax' last='Collins']. At the start of this season, Collins looked like he was well on his way to being one of the top running backs, not only in Class 4A, but in the state. However, he got hurt halfway through the season and would miss some time. But when he came back, he would play mostly on the defensive side of the ball. However, towards the end of the regular season, Collins would get back into the lineup as a running back and he appears to be getting back to 100 percent on that side of the ball. When he's healthy and at his best, Collins is a very special prospect and the ceiling with him is incredibly high. We're looking forward to seeing his production this month.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["157514"],"_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 standout running back in Class 4A is Hilldale senior [player_tooltip player_id='157514' first='Eric' last='Virgil']. We really don't like to throw around the u0022Underratedu0022 tag that often because when you use it all the time, it loses meaning in a big way. But Virgil is one of the more underrated prospects in the state's 2023 class. He has been a very productive player over the last three seasons and he's looking to close out his high school career by taking Hilldale to new heights in the playoffs. Virgil is also flirting with 2,000 yards on the season. Odds are that he will hit that number on Friday night as the Hornets open up their playoff journey against McLain at home. In our 4A preview, we listed Hilldale as the u0022dark horseu0022 and if they end up making a run, it will more than likely be because Virgil could not be contained.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["231450"],"_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":"Wagoner had somewhat of a slow start this season and that happened for a few reasons. The Bulldogs played a tough non-district schedule, featuring two games against top five teams in Class 5A, including top-ranked Coweta. And the Bulldogs have also done different things with their lineup on the offensive side of the ball. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='231450' first='Gabe' last='Rodriguez'], who started for Wagoner at quarterback last season, has moved around the offense and played a variety of positions on that side of the ball. Rodriguez is also a standout safety and he's arguably the best player on the Wagoner defense. The Bulldogs might be flying under the radar as we head into the playoffs but anyone who's watched Wagoner over the last decade should know not to overlook the Bulldogs during the playoffs.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["385677"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Blanchard is ready to make a run in the Class 4A playoffs after being incredibly battle-tested in the toughest district in the class. The Lions have been led on offense by their passing attack. But what's impressive is they don't have just one guy that is putting up a ton of numbers. They distribute the ball incredibly well but senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='385677' first='Jaxon' last='Laminack'] has been the leading receiver all season. Laminack had a run in September where he simply could not be covered. If we end up seeing more performances like that from him, the Lions are going to be a tough offense to stop. Plus he also has shown that he can come up big in the biggest moments. In Blanchard's win over perennial power Tuttle, Laminack would catch what would be the game-winning touchdown.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["392785"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"The Elk City senior running back is getting on a roll as the playoffs begin this week. At the halfway point of the regular season, Owens only had one game where he found the end zone. Owens would score touchdowns in four of the last five games to close out the regular season. The Elks have a very balanced offense and they don't have one player that just racks up a ton of numbers. However, despite splitting carries with several different guys, Owens is the leading rusher as we head into the playoffs. That was one big question coming into this season. How would the Elks replace star running back Daylan Thompson from last year? They found that answer with Owens and several other standouts. Owens also benefits from having a strong offensive line in front of him.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["57161"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Chickasha has a tough first round match-up as they will face off with district champion Tuttle on Friday night. But one thing they have going for them is senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='57161' first='Malek' last='Murphy']. There aren't many running backs that have over 2,000 yards on the season already but Murphy is one of them. He's had several games this year where he's gone for over 300 yards. In the game where he eclipsed 2,000 yards on the season, Murphy went off for over 400 yards. If Chickasha is going to pull off the upset over the district champions and move on to the quarterfinals, they are going to need Murphy to not only be healthy, but playing like we've seen already this season when he could not be contained. Murphy has enjoyed a stellar senior season and he doesn't want it to be over.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["157521"],"_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":"Our final player to watch is arguably the most unique athlete in the Class 4A playoffs and in the playoffs in general. Bethany senior [player_tooltip player_id='157521' first='Taylor' last='Heim'] does so many things well that the Bronchos use him in every way they can. On offense, Heim plays quarterback and wide receiver and has thrown ten touchdowns, run for six touchdowns and also caught four touchdowns. As if that wasn't enough, he turns around and plays defense and is the team's third leading tackler and leads the team with six interceptions. Heim is an absolute ball hawk on the defensive side of the ball and he's become one of the better prospects in the state's 2023 class. That versatility on the offensive side of the ball makes him a special player to watch and we're looking forward to catching him in person Friday.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->