Playoff Opener Preview: Sacramento Area Impact Players

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Week 1 of the SJS section playoffs kicked off Friday night and saw some intriguing games and performances put on by the regions top teams and players. Below, we will dive into some of the top players from around the greater Sacramento region this week and note their efforts. </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"className":"is-style-wide"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63694f9313dc6","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["25353"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":504778,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Afato is a no brainer Division I linebacker and has been one of the top overall players across the section since his Sophomore season. He currently holds offers from Cal Poly, Idaho and UC Davis but it would not surprise me if MWC schools came knocking as we get closer to NSD. In the first round, he rushed for 143 yards and 3 TD's while tacking on another 6 tackles on the defensive side of the ball. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6369505313dca","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["406704"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":422141,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Jackson has been one of the biggest up and coming prospects across Northern California this Fall, but those who got eyes on him over the summer at various camps knew what was in store for the talented Sophomore back. He has been one of the best, if not the best player on the field in most all games this season, and had another strong showing against a solid Inderkum team on Friday. Carter rushed for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns against a stout front and is in line for a huge off-season. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_6369502c13dc9","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["384744"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>The Air Force commit has been one of the most dominating and punishing runners across Norcal this season and once again put up big time numbers this Friday. He set a school record with 296 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns in a nice win over Natomas in the first round.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"id":"block_63694fc213dc7","name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["190422"],"_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_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"align":"","mode":"preview"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Clark is one of the best offensive weapons across Norcal and did not disappoint on Friday night. He hauled in three touchdowns against Wood High School and has been impressive all season and dominated multiple camps he attended over the summer. His twitch, diverse route tree and strong hands/elite tracking ability make him an intriguing prospect. Currently, he holds offers from UNLV, Fresno State, Army, New Mexico State and Columbia, among others. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>QB Brandon Graydon, Roseville HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Graydon is one of the better signal callers from around the region, and has been flying a bit under the radar through out the season but has quietly been putting up big time numbers week in and week out. In the first round Friday night against Oakdale, he threw for 200+ yards and 2 TD's while adding another 73 on the ground. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>RB Nathan Crawford, Twelve Bridges HS</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Crawford is a up and coming 2024 prospect to keep a close eye on, and has put together a very nice season thus far. In the schools first ever playoff game, he rushed for 4 TD's and is well over the 1,000 yard mark on the season with 14 touchdowns on the ground as well. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->