2022 2A All-Tournament Team: Offense
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As we are inching towards the end of the year, it is time to reflect on a very exciting 2022 high school football season in Kentucky. While the regular season was great, the playoffs in each class exceeded expectations as…
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Continue ReadingAs we are inching towards the end of the year, it is time to reflect on a very exciting 2022 high school football season in Kentucky. While the regular season was great, the playoffs in each class exceeded expectations as a lot of talent was on display. With that being said, I wanted to take some time to focus on the players that stood out during the playoffs in each class. After covering 1A, I will now turn my attention to the top playoff performers in 2A. With that being said, here is my 2022 2A All-Tournament Team on the offensive side of the ball.
Clay Hayden Clay Hayden 6’1″ | 180 lbs | QB Beechwood | 2025 State KY is an underclassman that I’ve been keeping my eye on in Kentucky. He took a huge step during the playoffs, leading Beechwood to a 2A State Championship title. Hayden was very impressive throughout the playoffs, completing 48/70 passes for 943 yards, 13 touchdowns, and only one interception. He has great pocket mobility with the ability to move around to avoid pressure while keeping his eyes down the field. Hayden also throws a very impressive deep ball, showing the arm strength to lead his receivers down the field and the touch to put the ball where only his target can catch it. He also uses his arm strength to zip passes into tight windows in the short and intermediate passing game. Hayden can also make plays with his legs when needed as he scored one rushing touchdown in the playoffs. While Clay doesn’t currently hold any offers, he will definitely be one of the top players to watch over the next couple seasons.
Highlights
Chase Flaherty
Chase Flaherty
Right before the playoffs started, Beechwood’s offense took a huge blow as Mr. Kentucky candidate Mitchell Berger Mitchell Berger 5’11” | 190 lbs | ATH Beechwood | 2023 State KY suffered a season-ending injury. Fortunately, they had a talented young player step up in his absence. Sophomore Chase Flaherty took over the lead back role and helped guide the Tigers to the State Championship. Flaherty finished the playoffs with 66 carries for 445 yards and eleven touchdowns. He is a downhill runner that hits the running lane with a sense of urgency once it opens up. When he gets to the second level, he uses his strength and contact balance to run through tackles without breaking stride. He also has the speed to hit a second gear and run away from the defense. Chase doesn’t currently hold any offers but he will be a player to watch as his role increases in the offense over the next couple seasons.
Since moving to Kentucky from Florida, Antonio Robinson Antonio Robinson 5’10” | 180 lbs | ATH Beechwood | 2023 State KY has established himself as one of the best players in the state. He continued to do so during the playoffs as he played a key role in Beechwood’s state title run. While he is better known for his lock down skills at corner on defense, Robinson shined bright at receiver during the playoffs. Robinson finished the playoffs with 12 catches for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He was able to use his speed on the outside to run right by opposing defensive backs to create separation in the deep passing game. Robinson has also shown very reliable hands and the ability to go up and catch jump balls at their highest point. After the catch, Robinson uses his speed and elusiveness in the open field to turn short passes into big gains. Antonio has officially signed to play at Wake Forest where I see him turning into a key play maker for them down the road.
Liam McCormack
Liam McCormack
Another Beechwood wide receiver that stood out to me during the playoffs was senior Liam McCormack. Liam caught eleven passes for 265 yards and five touchdowns during the Tigers’ state title run. McCormack lined up mainly on the outside and showed impressive route running skills. He has a quick release off the line of scrimmage and uses smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. McCormack also has very reliable hands and a high catch radius. After the catch, McCormack is very dangerous in the open field, showing the ability to use his elusiveness to make defenders miss. Liam hasn’t reported any official offers but I would expect him to pick some up as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level and has received some college interest.
Wyatt Blythe Wyatt Blythe 6’1″ | 155 lbs | ATH Metcalfe County | 2023 State KY is a receiver that stood out to me during the regular season and he continued to impress during the playoffs. Although Metcalfe County was eliminated in the quarterfinals, Blythe still put up solid numbers, catching 13 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. He is a dynamic athlete that has shown the ability to make tough catches. When the ball is thrown in his direction, Blythe goes up and catches it at its highest point, no matter how tight the coverage is on him. Blythe is also very dangerous after the catch as he has shown that he can use his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes and screens into big plays. Wyatt doesn’t currently have any reported official offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.
Will Rich Will Rich 6’3″ | 215 lbs | TE Lexington Christian Academy | 2024 State KY is a player that I’ve been high on for a while now and he continued to make an impact during the playoffs. He played a key role in LCA’s deep playoff run both with and without the ball in his hands. Rich is a very good blocker, showing the ability to create movement when locked in with his defender. He also has shown the ability to get out in space and pick up blocks as a lead blocker. Will is also a reliable target in the passing game as he caught two touchdowns in the playoffs. While he doesn’t currently hold any offers, I expect him to pick some up going into his senior year as he has received some college interest and has the skill set to be a productive tight end at the next level.
Garrison McKinney Garrison McKinney 6’2″ | 280 lbs | OL Lexington Christian Academy | 2024 State KY was one of my favorite offensive linemen to evaluate during the regular season and he continued to impress in the playoffs. After starting the season at tackle, McKinney moved to center to end the year and thrived as the leader of the Eagles’ offensive line. He did a great job while playing center of snapping the ball quickly while stepping to his man. Once he steps to his man, McKinney is a mauler in the run game, driving his defender down the field through the whistle. In pass protection, McKinney has solid footwork and does a good job of picking up stunts and blitzes. Garrison currently holds one Division I offer from Eastern Kentucky but I expect more to come for him as he is a special talent with great versatility on the offensive line.
Jacob Parker
Jacob Parker
Jacob Parker is an offensive lineman that I didn’t get the chance to evaluate during the regular season but stood out when watching playoff film. He lines up at left tackle for Breathitt County and is very impressive in pass protection. Parker has great footwork and gets back in his pass sets quickly and smoothly. He does a great job of continuing to work in his pass sets to mirror opposing pass rushers and protect his inside gap. In the run game, Parker has shown the ability to create movement off the line of scrimmage and wall his defender off to create a running lane. Jacob doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is a name to watch going into his senior year as he has the talent to play at the next level.
Honorable Mention:
Cutter Boley Cutter Boley 6'5" | 200 lbs | QB Lexington Christian Academy | 2024 State KY (2025 Quarterback, LCA); JuJu Starks JuJu Starks 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB Mayfield | 2024 State KY (2024 Running Back , Mayfield); Kaiden Zulager (2023 Running Back, Lloyd Memorial); Austin Sperry (2025 Wide Receiver, Breathitt County); Brady Bentley Brady Bentley 5'7" | 165 lbs | WR Shelby Valley | 2024 State KY (2024 Wide Receiver, Shelby Valley); Evan Brown Evan Brown 6'0" | 160 lbs | ATH Lexington Christian Academy | 2023 State KY (2023 ATH, LCA); Bryce Hoskins Bryce Hoskins 6'6" | 250 lbs | TE Breathitt County | 2023 KY (2023 Tight End, Breathitt County)