Some of Week 1’s Top Two-way Performers
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Just two weeks into the current high school season, Kentucky certainly has seen more than its share of collective and individual offensive explosions among its deep and talented collection of skill players. Likewise, a number of the state’s top returning…
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Continue ReadingJust two weeks into the current high school season, Kentucky certainly has seen more than its share of collective and individual offensive explosions among its deep and talented collection of skill players. Likewise, a number of the state’s top returning defensive performers already have begun to build on their already impressive production numbers on their side of the ball. However, let’s be sure also to take the time to acknowledge and applaud those athletes who have found ways to be exceptionally impactful both offensively and defensively, and the following prospects distinguished themselves as athletically versatile via their Week 1 performances:
A long, rangy and deceptively explosive wide receiver/defensive back, Carman made major contributions on both sides of the ball in his Tigers’ 35-14 victory over Calloway County in a game played at Murray State University. Offensive, his 7 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown included a number of drive-sustaining catches that enabled his team to dictate field position and time of possession, and he added another 12 yards rushing on his lone carry. Defensively, he also excelled in both pass coverage and run support, collecting 4 solo tackles, 3 assists and 1 takeaway via his first pass interception of the season. Returning to the Tigers’ program after a one-year hiatus, Carman’s frame, speed and athleticism are sure to draw the attention of next-level scouts/recruiters as his senior season progresses.
After accounting for over 2,800 yards of total offense and finishing last season as one of the Thorobreds’ leading tacklers, it certainly comes as no surprise that Custard has excelled this early in his senior season, but the sheer levels of production that he has achieved both offensively and defensively is truly noteworthy. For instance, in his second game this season–a 56-46 shootout victory over visiting Estill County–he accounted for a total of 7 touchdowns. At quarterback, he completed 17 of 30 pass attempts for 245 yards and 4 touchdowns while also gaining 57 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns on 10 carries. Defensively, he contributed 6 solo tackles and an assist from his position in the secondary and topped off this stellar evening with an 80-yard “pick six” interception return. Currently holding an offer to join D3’s Otterbein College program, with over 900 yards of total offense and 46 points in his first two contests, additional interest, attention and offers from next-level schools appear directly forthcoming.
Jordan Harn
Jordan Harn
Harn returns after a sophomore season that saw him make substantial contributions both offensively and defensively, and by all indications thus far this year, he intends to elevate his production on both sides of the ball in substantive ways. In his Panthers’ 54-12 home-opening win over Nicholas County, he certainly made every touch of the football count after rushing for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 6 carries and hauling in 4 receptions for 63 yards and another score. He even tacked on a two-point conversion offensively for a total of 20 points on the evening. From his position in the defensive secondary, he also contributed 3 assisted tackles, 1 tackle for loss and an interception (yielding a 16-yard return). A fundamentally sound, aggressive and high-motor competitor, Harn is sure to attract the attention of the region’s small-college programs as his career progresses.
Tyson Martin
Tyson Martin
Likely no high school freshman in Kentucky contributed more to their teams’ efforts last season than the 6’1′ 215-pound Martin, after concluding 2022 as his team’s leading rusher, leading receiver, leading scorer and leading tackler. After generating over 1,300 yards of total offense and averaging 10.0 points per contest last year, his sophomore season has begun in much the same manner, as he gained 132 yards and scored 2 touchdowns on only 7 carries in his Colonels’ 58-18 win over Fairview. Also returning a kickoff for a score and successfully completing a 2-point conversion attempt, he finished the evening with 22 total points. And as difficult as it might be to fathom, he likely proves even more invaluable to his team defensively after totaling 20 solo tackles, 5 assists, 1 sack and an interception. With almost three full seasons of development remaining, Martin projects to become one of his program’s top performers in decades, and a slew of college recruiters from all levels are sure to take heed pretty quickly.
A big contributor to the Indians’ 2-0 start this season is the two-way performances of Stonebreaker, a 5’9″ 145-pound junior wide receiver and defensive back who demonstrates an uncanny knack for coming up with big plays in crucial moments and a real nose for the football when it’s in the air. In Adair County’s surprising 49-21 takedown of Bethlehem at Marion County’s Kentucky Cooperage Bowl in Week 1, he contributed 5 receptions–several of them drive-extenders–for 52 yards offensively, giving him 11 total catches on the young season for 134 yards and a touchdown. However, after intercepting 2 Bethlehem passes on Friday, he has proven himself perhaps even more invaluable defensively at this point in the season with 3 total takeaways already. Fundamentally sound, athletic and exceptionally durable, his development’s continued upward trajectory seems certain.