SEKY’s Top Returning Game Changers in 2023

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With eleven competitors on both sides, football clearly represents one of those sports most reliant upon coordinated, purpose-driven teamwork, but let's face it, in those situations when the outcome of a game comes down to a final series or even a single play, some individuals demonstrate a knack for consistently succeeding under pressure. While some might oversimplify this tendency and attribute it merely to moments when athletic ability meets opportunity, others recognize and appreciate that rare combination of talent, preparation, resolve and composure necessary to come out on the winning end of these do-or-die scenarios more often than not. And here in southeastern Kentucky we have a wealth of returning players who embody these attributes, making them the "gamer changers" that their teams tend to rely on when they absolutely need a positive outcome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["653488"],"_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":"Recently transferring into the Redhounds' program for his upcoming senior season, Bailey comes with an impressive two-year resume as the leading offensive and defensive performer at nearby Somerset High School. In his two prior years combined, he gained over 2,500 yards rushing on 349 carries and scored 26 touchdowns while also hauling in 30 receptions for 350 yards and another 2 scores.  Likewise, defensively he completed both his sophomore and junior seasons as the Briar Jumpers' leading tackler, totaling 97 solo tackles, 51 assists and 18 tackles for loss. Given the wealth of talent on his new squad's roster, it remains to be seen just how the Corbin staff ultimately will decide to utilize the talents of their new arrival, but considering his durability, explosiveness and competitive demeanor, his versatile skill set is sure to find a number of meaningful ways to contribute.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["331734"],"_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":"Fans would be hard pressed to find a returning quarterback in Kentucky who enjoyed a more productive and successful sophomore campaign than Elam. In addition to completing 158 of 219 passes for nearly 2,500 yards and 33 touchdowns for his 14-1, state runner-up Redhounds, he did so while throwing only 3 interceptions for the entire campaign. And while his passing ability does comprise the most prominent part of his game, he also proves to be more than just a little dangerous when running the football, finishing last season with 520 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing on only 79 carries. Certainly, his 72% completion percentage speaks to his arm's accuracy, but what makes him particularly difficult to defend is his ability to place the football while on the move. And given his speed and elusiveness when he does opt to pull the ball down and run, most defensive coordinators find themselves facing u0022lose-loseu0022 situations when trying to determine how to play him.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["677342"],"_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":"Compact, durable and deceptively fast, Gregory returns for his senior season with the Jaguars after a breakout junior campaign in which he gained 1,251 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on 200 total carries while also collecting an additional 12 receptions for 79 yards. Between the tackles, his strength, leg drive and pad level enable him to run through defenders with dynamic power, and his talent for bending paths and/or changing direction efficiently produces positive gains even in obvious short-yardage scenarios. Equally dangerous whether running inside or outside, he demonstrates the vision and patience to allow plays to develop before committing directionally, and once he reaches the second/third levels of opposing defenses, his cutback ability often turns big gains into game-breaking runs if/when defenders fail to leverage the ball.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Isaac Matthews","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Letcher County Central","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"During the Cougars' 8-win campaign in 2022, Matthews' junior season output flew a bit under the radar, but when your team's quarterback racks up almost 3,000 yards of total offense, that small oversight is understandable. Prospects for a more productive senior campaign, however, are high as he returns from generating over 800 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns on 135 touches last year. An effective and patient ball carrier inside the tackle box, he particularly excels on perimeter runs and displays an uncanny ability to make the first defender miss along with the speed necessary to turn respectable gains into game-altering plays. Also noteworthy in his skill set is his high effort level and reliability as both a pass-and-run-blocker, and he proves equally capable of being a dangerous pass receiver, whether catching balls out of the backfield or aligning outside the box as an inside/slot receiver.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["653477"],"_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":"Few receivers in this region recently have displayed the rare combination of smooth athleticism, reliable hands and precision route running that fans encounter when watching Stewart take the field offensively.  Over the course of his Redhounds' state runner-up season in 2022, he hauled in 53 total receptions for 1,065 total yards (for an average of over 20 yards per reception) and 9 touchdowns. In addition to his offensive production, he also proves to be an exceptionally dangerous kick returner with the ball in his hands, and when called upon to block for teammates in his team's perimeter run/screen package, he also excels. Likewise a defensive contributor at cornerback, he accumulated 22 solo tackles, 3 assists and 1 interception last season in a limited number of snaps. A versatile talent and determined competitor, Stewart displays the ability to influence and/or take over games in a wide variety of ways.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["417270"],"_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":"Equally effective whether passing or running the football, Warren returns for his senior season as one of the state's most accomplished dual-threat quarterbacks, and he has Jaguar fans highly optimistic about their team's prospects for 2023. Completing 106 of 203 pass attempts for 1,287 yards and 10 touchdowns, he displays the arm strength and accuracy to stretch the field both vertically and horizontally, and he does an excellent job of extending plays with his feet while allowing plays to develop. Maintaining composure and keeping his eyes downfield in the face of pressure also are traits that distinguish his play from others. In addition, after racking up 1,154 yards and scoring 14 touchdowns on 162 carries last season, it's safe to say that quarterback runs will remain a consistent staple of the Jags' ground game, whether via predetermined calls, zone reads or RPO's.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":6,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6408f30718c64"} /-->