Double Trouble: Some of EKY’s Top Two-way Performers

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the dead period now ended (woo-hoo!), it is now finally time to jump feet first into some assessments of this fall's top returning talent, and here in eastern Kentucky, some of those performers with the busiest July itineraries are those most likely to be big impact players on both sides of the football. While two-way players have become gradually rarer at the high school level, the following "throw-back" players from an earlier era promise to make big plays and impact their teams' fortunes both offensively and defensively:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Mitchell Castle","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Betsy Layne","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Whether aligning as a fullback in the Bobcats' two-back pistol formations or splitting out wide as an X or Y receiver, Castle proves to be a consistent and fundamentally sound blocker both at the point of attack in the tackle box or in the open field. Likewise, he excelled as a secondary option in the running game last fall, gaining 174 yards on only 20 carries and scoring 2 touchdowns in 11 total contests, and he projects to play a significantly larger role offensively this season. On the defensive side, he is even more impactful from his inside linebacker position, as he demonstrates excellent leverage skills, consistently disciplined visual reads and the athleticism to make plays from sideline to sideline. In testament to his sure tackling ability, he collected 22 solos, 43 assists, 7 tackles for loss and 2 sacks last season while also forcing one fumble.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1576955' first='Dalton' last='Elliott']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Prestonsburg","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Offensively, Elliott aligns most commonly as a Z or hole receiver with varied splits and proves equally dangerous whether carrying the ball on jet sweeps or catching it. Both by formation and scheme, the Blackcat coaching staff clearly devises purposeful ways to keep him involved, and even when serving as a decoy on play action passes or interior runs, he seems always to attract the attentions of at least two defenders. In 11 total contests last fall, he rushed 41 times for 273 yards and 2 touchdowns while also hauling in 22 receptions for 395 yards and another 9 scores. Given his value and versatility both offensively and as a kick returner, he understandably plays defense only in crucial situations, but even in a more limited role, he excels. During his sophomore season, he collected 19 solo tackles, 1 assist, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1008393' first='Andrew' last='McCutcheon']","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2495","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Betsy Layne","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Typically aligning as a close slot receiver or as the u0022holeu0022 receiver in trips formations, McCutcheon's balance, speed and athleticism provide the Bobcats a metaphorical Swiss army knife type of performer, capable of serving multiple purposes within their offensive attack. In the run game, he proves equally adept whether carrying the ball on jet sweeps or blocking on perimeter runs, as his quick acceleration and exceptional vision resulted in 352 yards rushing on 50 carries and 6 touchdowns last season. As a pass receiver, he also proves equally dangerous, hauling in 9 catches last year for 199 yards and another 2 scores. Defensively, McCutcheon plays an outside linebacker in his program's 3-4 package and currently proves more effective playing off the line of scrimmage than on. Particularly in pass defense, his instincts set him apart, as he displays the ability to read passers' eyes, anticipate routes and quickly break on the ball. He also displays excellent footwork, enabling him to mirror receivers and disrupt passing lanes, whether executing man or zone coverage concepts. As a sophomore, he produced 36 solo tackles, 48 assists, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 fumble recovery in 11 total games.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["283975"],"_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":"Even as a mere freshman last fall, Music's talent was clearly evident as he developed into a reliable and productive performer for the Golden Eagles' traditionally exceptional program. As a running back, he displays an explosive burst and possesses a keen ability to find holes in the defense with vision, efficient change of direction and patience for his blockers to fit and finish on defenders. His acceleration and elusiveness resulted in 381 yards and 4 touchdowns on only 36 carries last season. On the defensive side of the ball, his athleticism and skills as a defensive back are equally noteworthy, as his quick reflexes and reaction time allow him to keep up with receivers and make crucial plays on the ball. Likewise, he clearly is not afraid to play physically and deliver powerful hits when defending against the run. In 13 total games last season, he generated 23 solo tackles, 20 assists, 5 tackles for loss and 2 (yes, 2) pick-six interceptions. With three full seasons remaining in his high school career, fans and scouts are eager to follow this young man's promising future.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"B.J. Peterson","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"Floyd Central","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_4_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_4_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"While listed as a defensive back on his team's roster, Peterson seems to align more regularly as an outside linebacker in the Panthers' 3-4 defensive package and tends to wreak the most havoc on offenses when walked up on the edge where he demonstrates noteworthy aggressiveness, leverage skills and the ability to shed blocks with active/targeted hands. Likewise, he possesses the athleticism to play effective pass defense whether aligned to the wide side of the field or perimeter, and his high pursuit motor resulted in 38 solo tackles, 8 assists, 2 tackles for loss and 1 fumble recovery in 10 games last season. Offensively, his varied skill set proves equally effective, as he contributed 402 yards rushing on 67 carries and 4 rushing touchdowns in the run game, along with 10 catches for 162 yards and another touchdown receiving. Also a dangerous kick returner and exceptional performer on special teams, he connected on 8 of 11 PAT attempts and clearly projects as one of the region's most versatile and valuable returning performers this fall.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64aef8141a123"} /-->