2023 Statewide Offensive Top Performers: Week 3

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school football season is in full swing in the state of Kentucky as we have now had three full weeks of regular season action. Week 3 gave us several exciting games with some impressive individual performances. While it was hard to pick from all of the strong performances from this past weekend, here are my top offensive performances in the state of Kentucky from Week 3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373083"],"_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":"Out of all the top performers from Week 3, [player_tooltip player_id='373083' first='Xavier' last='Burks'] stood out to me the most. Despite the close loss to Eastern, Burks put on quite the show out of the backfield. He finished the game with 14 carries for 339 yards and four touchdowns. Burks displayed a ton of strength in his running , showing the ability to break tackles without losing stride. Once he hit the open field, Burks also showed that he has the speed to run away from the defense to break off on long runs. Xavier doesn't currently hold any offers but he will be a player for college coaches to keep an eye on if he continues to produce like this.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["373042"],"_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":"Another running back that impressed this past week is Central's [player_tooltip player_id='373042' first='Cortez' last='Stone']. Stone played a huge role in Central's blowout win over Butler, running the ball 28 times for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Cortez has blazing speed as a ball carrier, showing the ability to burst through the running lane and run right through the defense for long runs. He also has shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field when they are able to catch up to him. Stone currently holds offers from Ball State, Miami (OH), Louisville, Cincinnati, Western Kentucky, Purdue, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Power 5 caliber running back prospect.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["499069"],"_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":"For the second straight week, [player_tooltip player_id='499069' first='Daniel' last='Thomas'] finds his name on my Top Performers list. The state's currently leading rusher continued to impress in a over Letcher County Central this past week. Thomas finished the game with  22 carries for 229 yards and four touchdowns. He has shown the speed to burst through the defense and break away for long runs. Once he hits the open field, Thomas has shown the elusiveness and contact balance to make defenders miss without break stride. He also led the team in tackles with seven along with one tackle for loss. While Thomas doesn't currently hold any offers, he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["288257"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='288257' first='Clay' last='Hayden'] is another player making this list for a second consecutive week. Hayden led Beechwood to an overtime win over Dixie Heights, completing 23/36 passes for 479 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. Clay was able to show off his arm strength, showing the ability to stretch the field and lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He also showed the ability to escape the pocket when under pressure while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Hayden doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play quarterback at the next level.","_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":"Luke Erdman","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_4_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_4_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_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":"Beechwood","_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":"On the receiving end of Hayden's impressive performance was junior wide receiver Luke Erdman. Erdman finished the game with seven catches for an impressive 222 yards and three touchdowns. Luke showed impressive contested catch ability, showing the awareness to come back to the ball when needed and hand strength to hold on to passes through contact. He was also able to use his speed to blow by defensive backs to create separation in the deep passing game. Luke also played a key role on defense as a defensive back. While he doesn't currently hold any offers, Erdman should be a player for college coaches to keep an eye on over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["313643"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='313643' first='Cole' last='Hodge'] is another player that cracks this list for the second week in a row. Hodge was very impressive in CAL's win over North Hardin, completing 21/34 passes for 301 yards and seven touchdowns. Cole has impressive accuracy as a passer, showing the ability to place the ball where only his intended receiver has a chance to catch it. He also has impressive arm strength and has shown the ability to escape pressure to make throws on the run. Hodge also showed the ability to tuck the ball and make plays with his legs when needed this past week, leading the team with 89 rushing yards on nine carries. Cole is committed to East Carolina where I can see him developing into a very successful quarterback at the next level once he gets his opportunity.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["373782"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='373782' first='Brady' last='Atwell'] makes this list for the second time this season after also making my Week 1 Top Performers list. Atwell led his team to a very impressive win over Greenwood, completing 20/28 passes for 276 yards and five touchdowns. As a passer, Atwell has a strong arm which he uses to lead his receivers down the field and hit them in stride in the deep passing game. He also has impressive accuracy, showing the ability to hit receivers out of their breaks and put the ball where only they can catch it. Atwell has also shown the ability to make plays in the ground game. He led his team in rushing this past week with three carries for 35 yards and a touchdown. Brady doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1577014' first='Kyle' last='Lee']","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"Newport","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_7_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_7_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1577014' first='Kyle' last='Lee'] is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. He led Newport to a blowout win over Pendleton County, completing 13/20 passes for 338 yards and five touchdowns. Lee showed great touch on his passes, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. He also showed the ability to escape pressure while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Kyle also showed true dual-threat ability when needed, running the ball four times for 59 yards and a touchdown. Lee doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player that college coaches should keep an eye on over the next two seasons.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='986857' first='Ridge' last='Holman']","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"6'3u0022","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"Logan County","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_8_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_8_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Another quarterback that jumped onto my radar this past week is Logan County's [player_tooltip player_id='986857' first='Ridge' last='Holman']. The sophomore quarterback led Logan County to an impressive win over Russellville, completing 23/32 passes for 301 yards and four touchdowns. Holman displayed his strong arm this past week, showing the ability to stretch the field and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. He also showed the ability to escape the pocket when under pressure while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Ridge doesn't currently hold any offers but he will be a player to keep an eye on over the next few years as he continues to develop.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["378831"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up my Week 3 Offensive Top Performers, I have [player_tooltip player_id='378831' first='Kade' last='Goodin']. Goodin has been off to a strong start to his freshman year and continued to impress this past week in a win over Dunbar. As a passer, Goodin completed 15/23 passes for 276 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He throws an impressive deep ball, showing the ability to lead his receivers down the field and hit them in stride. Goodin also has shown the ability to thrive under pressure, using his speed to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. He has also shown true dual-threat ability as a runner this season. Last week, he led Collins in rushing with nine carries for 48 yards and a touchdown. Goodin doesn't currently hold any offers but he will definitely be a player that college coaches keep a close eye on over the next four seasons.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64f8f4d0420e5"} /-->