Top Players of Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new season is finally among us and we can begin to evaluate players for their play on Friday nights again. As is the case in most years, we saw many jaw-dropping performances Friday, including from several unranked players. Here's who caught my eye in Week 1.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Na'ledge Wright, 2024 RB, 5'9 165: JM Robinson</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We have to start by recognizing Wright, who put up and unbelievable 299 yards and seven touchdowns against a strong Hickory Ridge team. Wright took a while to break onto the scene last year, eventually putting up five 100-yard games as a junior. He played his best at the end of the year and is obviously off to a torrid start in 2023.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Jeremiah Dodd, 2024 WR, 5'10 150: Asheville Christian</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While Asheville Christian ultimately lost a thrilling to South Carolina's Ben Lippen School, Dodd had a game for the ages. The senior racked up 16 catches for 285 yards and three touchdowns in a 62-54 loss. He also added five tackles and a few solid kick returns to cap an all-around performance. Dodd got off to a slower start last year before finishing with four straight 100-yard games to end the year. If he keeps up this pace, we'll hear more of him the rest of the year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Zikeus Moore, 2024 RB, 5'11 205: Person</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moore had a nearly perfect game Friday in a win over Ben L. Smith High School. He touched the ball nine times, racking up 237 yards and scoring six touchdowns. It might be hard to find any other player in the state who averaged over 25 yards a touch and scored twice as many times as he was tackled. Moore played mostly linebacker last season, but the move to running back seems to suit him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1360425' first='Ryan' last='Bassani'], 2025 LB, 5'10 185: North Lincoln</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Bassani racked up 13 solo tackles in his season debut against West Lincoln, a narrow 20-21 loss. He assisted on 11 more and forced three fumbles in the game, imposing his will from the middle of the defense. Just a junior, Bassani has a strong sophomore season, racking up over 100 tackles.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Javonie Webb, 2026 DB, 6' 185: Laney</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I'm adding Webb to my list of players that I'm watching closely this season. Primarily a running back last season as a freshman, Webb has excellent measurables at the defensive back position. He had two picks on Friday, including one returned 99 yards for a touchdown against a tough JH Conley team.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='142902' first='Brady' last='Hibbard'], 2024 QB, Forest Hills</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hibbard has been on the radar for a while and he put up strong numbers in Friday's opener. What impressed me was his efficiency, as he had as many touchdown passes as incompletions. He's improved his pocket movement and looks like he'll run the ball a bit more as a senior.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->