SEKY’s Most Versatile Athletes Promising to Elevate in 2023
With the growing prevalence of one-way players and specialization even in high school programs, it has become increasingly rare to locate those special athletes with the abilities to consistently play multiple positions and/or contribute in myriad ways at a premium…
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Continue ReadingWith the growing prevalence of one-way players and specialization even in high school programs, it has become increasingly rare to locate those special athletes with the abilities to consistently play multiple positions and/or contribute in myriad ways at a premium level. As we look forward to the 2023 season, however, southeastern Kentucky can boast of several returning seniors whose past bodies of work confirm that their play this fall will feature big accomplishments in a wide variety of forms. Whether passing, receiving, carrying the ball or playing sound, aggressive defense, a number of talented “throwback” multi-taskers in this region are poised to provide their teams invaluable performances and conclude their high school careers in impressive ways. While presumably their college careers will entail narrowing their roles solely to single offensive or defensive positions, at least for this final campaign of their high school careers, fans will get to enjoy these prospects’ contributions in countless forms.
Dalton Baker
Dalton Baker
As a starting wide receiver, Baker provides the Eagles a consistent, reliable target for the passing game, collecting 27 total receptions in 2022 for 503 yards and 4 touchdowns. In addition to his precise route running and the ability to generate valuable yards after the catch, he also displays excellent effort and fundamentals when blocking downfield either for predetermined runs, broken plays or passes completed to teammates. While intermediate routes typically are his primary strength, he also reflects the speed to separate and take tops off of defenses when called upon. Defensively, Baker primarily aligns at cornerback and often positions to cover the most dangerous opposing receiver threat. In 10 total games last season, his ability to leverage/reroute receivers, maintain body positioning and defeat blocks generated 37 solo tackles, 20 assists, and an interception. Also an effective disruption when walked up on the defensive edge, he totaled 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks and 1 forced fumble.
Tye Hamblin
Tye Hamblin
When reviewing film of the Colonels’ 2022 season, Hamblin’s athleticism and competitiveness jump off the screen. Offensively, his team’s game plans are consistently reliant upon his versatility at quarterback, as evidenced by his 1,092 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air alongside 119 rushes for 494 yards and 8 additional scores. Whether executing play action passes, dropping back or rolling out to the defensive perimeter, he always embodies a running threat that defenses must account for, and his accuracy/ball placement is reliable, particularly when targeting intermediate routes between the hash marks. He also proves exceptionally productive when completing designed quarterback run plays. In testament to his athleticism, it is also noteworthy that he managed to contribute two pass receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown to his cumulative offensive body of work, along with 5 solo tackles, 5 assists and 0.5 tackles for loss defensively.
Seth Jackson
Seth Jackson
Offensively, Jackson often aligns either as a first or second running back within the tackle box but also proves very effective splitting out as an inside/slot receiver. In 10 total games last season, he averaged just over 10 carries per game for 552 total yards, and his reliability in short yardage situations resulted in 12 rushing touchdowns. Also a solid receiver, he collected 4 receptions for 31 yards, but his primary contribution when aligned wide is his exceptional effort and effectiveness as a perimeter blocker. As an outside linebacker for the Commodores, Jackson also provided a steady defensive perimeter presence versus the run and a reliable pass defender with the ability to reroute receivers with sound fundamentals and defend underneath routes and outside screens with consistent leverage and aggressiveness. In total, he collected 9 solo tackles, 34 assists, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 forced fumble over the course of his junior season.
Few players in the state of Kentucky will return this fall with a junior season resume comparable to the offensive and defensive production that Partin provided his Panthers in 2022 as both a quarterback and linebacker. In 11 total games, he completed 70 of 114 pass attempts for a 61.4% completion percentage, 927 yards and 11 touchdown passes while throwing only 2 interceptions all season. In addition, as a ball carrier, he racked up 271 carries for 1,782 yards (an average of 6.6 yards per carry) and 26 rushing touchdowns. To their credit, the Panther coaching staff also found other ways to distribute the football to this exceptional playmaker, as evidenced by his 10 pass receptions for 168 yards and 2 touchdown receptions. For those keeping score at home, that is an average of almost 262 yards of total offense and 16.8 points per game! Also a resilient and high-energy defender, Partin contributed 37 solo tackles, 34 assists and 1 tackle for loss on the other side of the ball. Partin’s athleticism and competitive spirit have already attracted the attention of recruiters both in-state and beyond, and fans in this region are certain that his upcoming senior season will yield only more achievements and opportunities like those already produced.
Jacob Smith
Jacob Smith
Starting for the Panthers as both a wide receiver and a defensive back, Smith will prove to be an indispensable factor in his team’s fortunes this fall. In 10 total games in 2022, he carried the football 3 times for 9 yards and a touchdown, and as a valued target in the passing game, he also added 15 receptions for 297 yards and another 2 scores, averaging almost 20 yards per catch. In addition to his route running and reliable hands, his most impressive trait is his clear willingness to do all of the “little things” to help ensure his team’s success, including exceptional technique and fundamentals as a downfield blocker and full effort even when running routes away from the play in order to occupy opposing defenders. Defensively, he contributed 16 solo tackles, 15 assists and 1 tackle for loss while picking off 1 pass, and his solid, aggressive run support will pose a considerable challenge for opposing coaches as they try to devise ways to account for his uncanny knack to always end up around the football.