Quarterfinal Round – Offensive Players of the Week
A look at the three best offensive performances from the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs. Players of the Week Walker Martin, Eaton Reds (QB)(Sr.)(2) – While Martin might not have put up eye-popping numbers, he was without-question the state’s…
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Continue ReadingA look at the three best offensive performances from the quarterfinal round of the state playoffs.
Players of the Week
Walker Martin, Eaton Reds (QB)(Sr.)(2) – While Martin might not have put up eye-popping numbers, he was without-question the state’s top passing performer from the quarterfinal round in the Reds’ 47-8 demolition of the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers. Martin made his presence felt in every phase of the offense, going 13 of 18 (72%) for 236 yards passing, 3 passing touchdowns, and a QBR of 153.9 while also accounting for 46 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown on 6 carries (7.7 YPC) for good measure. When you turn on the tape of Martin’s performance against the Panthers defense, the first thing that stands out about him is his ability to improvise and adlib in the face of pressure. Displays an excellent ability to elude pass rushers in the pocket and complete short to intermediate passes with traffic in his face. Shows outstanding accuracy while throwing off-platform, on-the-run, and from different arm angles when working the short to intermediate areas of the field. Great ball placement on passes downfield that require touch to drop it in over the defender. Shows excellent footwork when moving around in the pocket and going through his progressions, keeping his feet flat and ready to throw as he steps up or moves around in the pocket. Displays great athleticism as a ball carrier that presents an added 2nd dimension to his skillset. Martin isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards for the class of 2023 with his level of competition probably explaining why, but nonetheless, the senior QB is a talented player that will look to finish his career as a Red with a 2A state title.
Xavier Ramirez Xavier Ramirez RB Roosevelt | 2024 State CO , Roosevelt Roughriders (RB)(Jr.)(21) – I previously wrote about Ramirez in my Game Review piece about the Roughriders win over the Evergreen Cougars, but it was an easy decision to name him a Player of the Week as well, as he had one of the most dominant rushing performances in recent memory. Looking at the insane numbers from Ramirez’s previously stated performance against the Cougars defense, he accounted for a head-spinning 365 yards rushing and 2 rushing touchdowns on 35 carries (10.4 YPC). As I previously stated in my Game Review piece, I think it’s safe to say that Ramirez was the state’s top rushing performer from last week. Looking at the film from Ramirez’s world-beating night against the Evergreen defense, you can see Ramirez displays a combination of exceptional top end foot speed, great change-of-direction, and good vision in the open field allow Ramirez to turn any carry into a touchdown or a big play. Extremely elusive runner in the open field that can find space quickly presenting a challenge for 2nd and 3rd level defenders to tackle in 1-on-1 situations in space. Displays good lateral agility when bouncing carries to the edge, making it difficult for slower defenders to set the edge. Shows a good ability as a receiver out of the back field, often creating a matchup problem with slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders because of his speed and change-of-direction. Ramirez is currently ranked the number 6 RB and the number 61 player overall in the class of 2024, which isn’t a shock to see given his incredible performance against the Evergreen defense. As I said in my previous piece about the Roosevelt win, Ramirez will continue to be the focal point of the Roughriders offense as they pursue a 3A state title.
Solomon Arnds-Volcin, Vista Ridge Wolves (RB/LB)(Sr.)(2) – In his last game in a Vista Ridge uniform, Arnds-Volcin left everything on the field despite the Wolves’ tough loss to the Palmer Ridge Bears. Arnds-Volcin was the state’s second leading rusher in the quarterfinal round with his night against the Palmer Ridge defense, as he accounted for a whopping 211 yards rushing and 2 rushing touchdowns on 34 carries (6.2 YPC) while also registering 4 tackles and a tackle for a loss on the defensive side. For the sake of this piece, we’ll focus on his offensive tape because that’s the side that felt his presence the most. Putting on the film of Arnds-Volcin’s performance against the Bears defense, you can see he displays great top end foot speed in the open field, consistently pulling away from slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders. Very elusive runner in the open field that can find space quickly and present a challenge for defenders in 1-on-1 situations. Displays good lateral agility and one-cut explosiveness, anchoring his elusiveness and allowing him to turn any carry bounced to the edge into chunk yardage. Shows an extremely physical running style and great balance at the point-of-attack when making contact with a defender despite his smaller frame (5’8, 165 lbs). Shows a good ability to catch the ball out of the back field, often creating a matchup problem with slower 2nd and 3rd level defenders lined up with him in man coverage because of his speed and lateral agility. As I previously stated in my Game Review piece about the Wolves’ tough loss, Arnds-Volcin isn’t currently ranked on any recruiting boards but regardless, he is an incredibly talented player that has so much to be proud of looking back on his prep career.