2023 Mid-Season Top Performers: 4A Offense
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Now that we are a little past the midway point in the 2023 high school regular season in Kentucky, I want to take a look back at what has happened so far. With that being said, I’m going to focus…
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Continue ReadingNow that we are a little past the midway point in the 2023 high school regular season in Kentucky, I want to take a look back at what has happened so far. With that being said, I’m going to focus on my top performers on both sides of the ball in each class from so far. After covering class 6A and 5A, I will now turn my attention to class 4A. With that in mind, here are my top offensive performers in class 4A so far this season.
Jack James Jack James 6’0″ | 190 lbs | QB Paducah Tilghman | 2025 State KY is a quarterback that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. Through six games, James is the leading passer in 4A, completing 108/170 passes for 1,615 yards, 19 touchdowns, and three interceptions. James has a very strong arm which he uses to stretch the field and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. He also has shown impressive accuracy, showing the ability to fit passes into tight windows where only his intended receiver can catch it. James has also shown the ability to tuck the ball and make plays with his legs when needed, running the ball 33 times for 173 yards and three touchdowns so far. Jack currently holds offers from Old Dominion, Miami (OH), Troy, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Division I caliber quarterback prospect.
Another quarterback that has stood out to me this season is Kaydon Custard Kaydon Custard 6’2″ | 180 lbs | QB Harrison County | 2024 State KY . He has been impressive through his first six games, completing 82/163 passes for 1,446 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Custard has the arm strength to truly stretch the field and take the top off the defense in the deep passing game. While he is impressive as a passer, he is just as electric in the run game. Custard currently leads the team in rushing with 109 carries for 801 yards and 12 touchdowns. Kaydon currently holds offers from Kentucky State, Otterbein, Oakland City, Calumet College of St. Joseph, and Bellarmine, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.
Tyson Sammons Tyson Sammons 6’0″ | 195 lbs | QB Greenup County | 2025 State KY is a player that has had a breakout year so far. As a passer, Sammons has completed 50/104 passes for 880 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions through six games. While he has been solid as a passer, Sammons has made his biggest impact in the run game. He has tremendous speed and athleticism which he is able to use to break away for long runs at any given moment. Sammons is currently near the top of the 5A rushing leaderboard with 113 carries for 894 yards and 14 touchdowns. Tyson doesn’t currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play at the next level.
Kade Elam Kade Elam 5’11” | 170 lbs | QB Corbin | 2025 State KY is a quarterback that I had high expectations for coming into this season and he has lived up to them so far. Through his first five games, Elam has completed 78/103 passes for 1,161 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only one interception. Elam throws an impressive deep ball, showing the ability to lead his receivers away from opposing defensive backs and hit them in stride. He also puts a nice amount of touch on his passes, showing the ability to place the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Elam has also shown the ability to take off an run when needed, carrying the ball 23 times for 112 yards and five touchdowns so far. Kade is committed to play baseball at Louisville but also holds a football offer from Eastern Kentucky and has the talent to be a Division I quarterback if he were to ever have a change of heart.
My final quarterback on this list is Sage Dawson Sage Dawson 5’11” | 150 lbs | ATH Boyle County | 2024 State KY . He has helped lead Boyle County to another impressive start, completing 70/97 passes for 1,398 yards, 12 touchdowns, and two interceptions through six games. Dawson has impressive arm strength, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He also has shown impressive ball placement, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Dawson has also shown true dual-threat ability, using his speed to break away on big runs at any given moment. He has carried the ball 27 times for 143 yards and a touchdown so far. Sage is committed to Air Force where I can see him being a very productive player for them at the next level.
Giaonni Hunter Giaonni Hunter 5’11” | 210 lbs | RB Shelby County | 2025 State KY is a player that has had a true breakout year so far this season. Through the first six weeks, Hunter is the 4A rushing leader with 138 carries for 1,160 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hunter has very dangerous speed, showing the ability to burst through the running lane with a sense of urgency and simply run away from the defense. He has also shown the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. Giaonni doesn’t currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.
Another running back that has stood out to me this season is Dee Parker Dee Parker 5’9″ | 170 lbs | ATH Whitley County | 2026 State KY . Through his first five games, Parker has carried the ball 105 times for 816 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has breakaway speed, showing the ability to hit a second gear once he hits the open field to run away from the defense. Parker is also dangerous in the passing game as he has shown the ability to line up in the slot and pose as a deep threat. He has also made an impact on defense as he has 19 tackles and two interceptions so far. Dee doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next few seasons.
Gray Schmittel Gray Schmittel 5’11” | 160 lbs | WR North Oldham | 2025 State KY is a player that has quickly jumped onto my radar this season. In just four games, he has caught 42 passes for 472 yards and five touchdowns. Gray is dangerous out of the slot where he is able to use his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation in the deep passing game. He is also impressive after the catch, showing the ability to use his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big gains. Gray doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.
After playing quarterback last season, Antajuan Dumphord Antajuan Dumphord 6’4″ | 200 lbs | ATH Wayne County | 2025 State KY was moved into more of an athlete role where he is used all over the field and he has thrived in this new role so far. Dumphord is currently the leading receiver in 5A, catching 38 passes for 670 yards and six touchdowns through six games. He lines up on the outside where he is a true deep threat and is able to use his athleticism to make tough contested catches. Dumphord has also shown some value as a ball carrier, running the ball 37 times for 211 yards and eight touchdowns so far. He has also proven to be a dangerous returner on special teams, returning one kickoff for a touchdown this season. Antajuan doesn’t currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.
Highlights
Last but definitely not least on this list is Montavin Quisenberry Montavin Quisenberry 5’9″ | 160 lbs | ATH Boyle County | 2025 State KY . He has established himself as the top overall player in his class as he does a little bit of everything in the Rebels’ offense. As a receiver, he is a very dangerous deep threat, showing the ability to use his speed to blow by defensive backs. He is also very impressive after the catch, showing the ability to turn short passes and screens into a big gain at any given moment. Through six games, he has caught 17 passes for 423 yards and five touchdowns. He is also a dangerous ball carrier out of the backfield as he has carried the ball 24 times for 266 yards and nine touchdowns so far this season. Quisenberry is also a very electric returner on special teams. He has returned two kickoffs for touchdowns this season. Montavin currently holds offers from Kentucky, Louisville, Ole Miss, and Michigan, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Power 5 caliber prospect.