3A State Top Performers

<!-- 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 Class 3A state championship game was a wild one as defense was optional and points came in an onslaught for both teams. In the end, Heritage Hall would win the 72-56 shootout, setting multiple state championship game records. For the full game recap, <strong><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2022/12/heritage-hall-wins-wild-3a-championship/" data-type="URL" data-id="https://prepredzone.com/2022/12/heritage-hall-wins-wild-3a-championship/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CLICK HERE</a></strong>. In this post, we're taking an in-depth look at the top performers from Thursday night's game from both sides, and there were plenty of them on the offensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Keep it locked in to Prep Redzone Oklahoma for more from Thursday night's championship game. Game highlights, postgame interviews and much more ONLY on Prep Redzone Oklahoma. And we'll have coverage of the rest of the championship games throughout the weekend in Edmond. This was game one of five and if the next four follow in Thursday's footsteps, we're destined for a wild three days.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["207182"],"_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":"Heritage Hall junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='207182' first='Andy' last='Bass'] could not be stopped on Thursday night. Bass has become one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in Class 3A and in the junior class this season but it's what he did on the ground that helped carry the Chargers to a championship. He did finish 8-18 for 105 yards and a touchdown. But he would then turn around and have 33 carries for 256 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Bass would finish as the leading rusher with carries and yards on the night. Bass showed not only that he had breakaway speed, but he also had strength and power in his runs as he had several moments during Thursday's game where he simply stiff-armed a Metro defender into the UCO turf. With Bass coming back next season but several key seniors graduating, we expect him to be a potential superstar when it comes to passing and running.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["442209"],"_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":"Metro Christian senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='442209' first='Breck' last='Nauman'] had his championship game cut short. On the first drive of the second half, Nauman would go down after making a big play, pushing Metro's offense inside the Heritage Hall 10 yard line. He was unable to come back into the game after suffering a knee injury. Despite only playing a little more than two quarters, his impact was felt. he finished with seven catches for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Time after time, Nauman slipped past the Heritage Hall secondary and would be all by himself, making catch after catch. Nauman came into this season looking to make up for lost time as a junior. He missed the majority of the regular season last year and he certainly made up for it this season with 20 touchdown receptions on the season. Nauman has been one of the best receivers in Class 3A and he played like it on Thursday night.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["192621"],"_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":"Just like Nauman, junior [player_tooltip player_id='192621' first='Jaxson' last='Grimes'] was another one of those four Metro players who finished with over 100 yards receiving. On offense, Grimes finished with eight catches for 115 yards. He also turned around and had an impact on defense. He would finish with nine tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Grimes is going to be an interesting player to watch moving forward. He's a rare junior on a roster full of seniors, especially in the starting lineup. Grimes is also listed on the roster as a quarterback, wide receiver and linebacker. He's a good looking athlete but we're curious to see what he'll be with the Patriots next season. With Metro losing so much to graduation, will Grimes take over at quarterback and be more of an overall athlete playing the position? Only time will tell there. But on Thursday night, Grimes was an impact player on both sides of the ball.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["38790"],"_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":"There's nothing to say here about Metro Christian quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='38790' first='Kirk' last='Francis'] that we haven't been saying for the majority of the last three seasons. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the state and he showed why again on Thursday night. Despite coming up short, Francis had the Patriots fighting until the final seconds. He rewrote the record book for not only championship games but playoff games in general. His 626 yards in a title game shattered the previous passing record. He finished 37-62 passing with five touchdowns on the night. We've written about Francis quite a bit over the last three years and there's a simple explanation. He's earned it. Francis showed why he's been one of the state's best quarterbacks on the biggest stage on Thursday. He makes the quarterback position look easy and what's scary is his best football might still be ahead of him.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["532969"],"_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":"When we look at this championship game, one of the unsung heroes of Heritage Hall's title victory will be senior wide receiver and defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='532969' first='Liam' last='Burton']. While a lot of the attention will go to Bass and Faulkner, Burton played a pivotal role in bring back a championship for this senior class. Burton had two catches for 25 yards and a touchdown on offense. He also turned around and finished with six tackles and an interception on defense. Burton was one of six players for Heritage Hall who came up with turnovers, which really put Metro Christian in a hole that they couldn't come out of. Burton is one of five seniors that start on both sides of the ball for the Chargers. They came into this season with a mission to bring a state championship back to Heritage Hall. They've been knocking on the door over the last few seasons and they finally kicked that door in.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["157524"],"_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":"Heritage Hall's leading receiver on Thursday night was their leading receiver throughout the season as well. Charger senior [player_tooltip player_id='157524' first='Orie' last='Walker'] would finish with 68 yards on four catches. With his 68 yards on the night, Walker would eclipse 1,000 receiving yards on the season. He's been one of the best overall athletes in Class 3A over the last few seasons. Not only is he a standout wide receiver on offense, he's also a good defensive back on defense and that's not even bringing up what Walker has done on the basketball floor as well. On Thursday night, the headlines revolved around the Heritage Hall rushing attack with their dynamic duo in the backfield. But it would be unwise to overlook the impact that Walker had on this game. He was also one of their leading tacklers on defense with seven tackles on the night and was the last line of defense against the Metro passing attack.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["155875"],"_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":"After the way last season ended, Heritage Hall senior [player_tooltip player_id='155875' first='River' last='Faulkner'] was not going to be denied this year. Faulkner helped carry the Chargers to their first title since 2018 with a dominating performance on the ground. We knew that Bass and Faulkner were one of the top running duos in the state and they showed why on Thursday night. Faulkner would finish with 222 yards and five touchdowns on 27 carries. Between Faulkner and Bass, the two would combine for 60 carries for 478 yards and seven touchdowns. We mentioned the game plan for Heritage Hall would be simple coming into the title game. Feed the backfield. And they were outstanding all night. In addition to Faulkner and Bass, you have to tip your cap to the Heritage Hall offensive line, who were extremely physical all night. Faulkner and this senior class were determined to go out on top this season and they did with a gold ball.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["38802"],"_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":"Last but not least is Metro Christian's swiss army knife over the last four seasons with senior standout [player_tooltip player_id='38802' first='Tagg' last='Campbell']. Whether he's running, catching or even throwing a ball on offense, Campbell had a big impact in Thursday's game. He would finish with just four carries for 16 yards but two touchdowns. He also threw a short touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. And he was Francis' leading wide receiver with eight catches for 174 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Campbell also finished with nine tackles on the defensive side of the ball. It's not very often that you see a player throw, run for and catch a touchdown, let a lone in the championship game. But that's been Campbell for several years. He's been a four-year starter for the Patriots and has played almost every position except along the line of scrimmage. He's become a very versatile athlete.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":8,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-638a25b89bdad"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->