Some of Week One’s Breakout Quarterback Performances

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's certainly no shortage of talented, accomplished signal-callers among the commonwealth's top football programs this fall, so it really wasn't a surprise that the season's opening weekend yielded quite a few exceptional starts--not only for some of Kentucky's more proven quarterbacks but also for an impressive group of emerging up-and-comers! Whether demonstrating uncanny accuracy in their early-season ball placement, managing offensive tempo and alignments or extending plays/drives with their athleticism, here are a few of the performers behind center who raised fans' eyebrows and enthusiasm in Week 1:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373782"],"_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":"Already an accomplished and experienced “known quantity” after producing over 3,300 yards of total offense last season, Atwell certainly didn't shock anyone with a strong initial outing. However, few followers likely would have anticipated such an impressive display of accuracy and timing so early in the season as the developmental ceiling for this junior performer continues to rise. In the Aces' 42-6 dismantling of crosstown rival Apollo, he completed 25 of 30 pass attempts for 328 yards and 5 touchdowns while also contributing 20 yards and a 6th touchdown on 5 carries. Already attracting a good deal of attention among FCS and regional programs, this 6'3″ 225-pounder seems poised to garner a bevy of Power 5 interest sooner rather than later.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["317390"],"_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":"When one of the state's most successful programs has a 6'4″ 230-pound athlete with an impressively varied skill set, they can set the table to garner eye-opening displays like the one Benke treated everyone to in Week 0. Sure, in his primary role of quarterback, he performed exceptionally well–completing 12 of 17 passes for 194 yards and 2 touchdowns while also rushing 19 times for 111 yards and 2 more touchdowns. And as if 305 yards of offense and 4 touchdowns just weren't quite enough, he also hauled in 2 receptions for 42 yards and a 5th trip to the end zone! Whether lining up behind center or elsewhere in the Bluebirds' offensive sets, Benke's length and physicality create substantial matchup problems for opposing defensive coordinators, and Highlands' staff clearly seems intent on exploiting those opportunities to the fullest.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["288257"],"_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":"After a superbly efficient and successful sophomore season concluded with yet another Tigers state championship, by all accounts fans and followers alike have eagerly awaited Hayden's junior season debut, and he certainly has picked up right where he left off after leading his squad to an impressive 31-14 victory over Archbishop McNicholas (OH). In completing 20 of 26 attempts for 264 yards passing and 2 touchdowns, he exhibited the vision, mechanics and accuracy to exploit any voids or windows present in defensive coverage schemes, and he continues to develop his ability to “feel” defensive pressures, reposition his launch point with agility and generate positive yardage with his legs when the opportunities arise. With two full seasons and off-seasons remaining in his impressive developmental trajectory, next-level opportunities to compete at a high level seem a certainty.","_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='283958' first='Cam' last='O'Hara']","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Cooper","_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":"After passing for over 2000 yards as a freshman starter, OHara naturally generated some measure of off-season buzz about possibilities for a break-out sophomore campaign, and he certainly served notice that he is prepared to deliver offensively. In the Jaguars' 35-14 season-opening victory at Bardstown, his arm strength, accuracy and quick release resulted in 16 pass completions on 20 attempts for 315 yards and all 5 offensive touchdowns (shared among 3 different receivers). Now carrying 180 pounds on his 6'1″ frame, he clearly is putting in the effort to endure the game's physicality, and likewise, a growing number of Division I programs are beginning to take notice.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["654297"],"_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":"If you happen to find yourself within driving distance of a Clay County Tigers football game this fall and have an appreciation for some wide-open, never-dull, sling-it-around high school offenses, you might enjoy watching Rice and his teammates play. This four-year starter enters his senior season with over 5,500 career passing yards, and if last week's 58-34 win over Pineville is any indication, he intends for his final year to be his most exciting. In addition to completing 15 of 21 passes for 256 yards and 4 touchdowns, he also averaged over 20 yards per carry and rushed for another score when pulling the ball down to escape pressures or execute designed runs.  While the Tigers continue to develop on the defensive side of the ball, they likely will need score points consistently–and sometimes in bunches–but thankfully, Rice and his offensive compatriots appear up to the task.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e4e542d9891"} /-->