Making Headlines: Week 1

<p>Every week there is a new shining star who makes headlines by filling up the stat book or making the most of their touches like Pine Bluff's [player_tooltip player_id='149570' first='Courtney' last='Crutchfield'] did this past Friday night. Prep Redzone strives to provide these players and their performances with the platform they deserve. Check out Tom Tabler's edition below!</p>   <p><a target="_blank" href="https://prepredzone.com/2023/09/prep-redzone-arkansas-week-1-prime-time-players-2023/" rel="noreferrer noopener">Week 1 Prime-Time Players </a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='149570' first='Courtney' last='Crutchfield'] | 2024 | Wide Receiver | Pine Bluff</h2>   <p>The all-encompassing athlete for the Zebras, [player_tooltip player_id='149570' first='Courtney' last='Crutchfield'] proved once again in week 1 of his SEC-caliber abilities. The Razorback commit recorded just 3 receptions for a whopping 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. Crutchfield, a lightning rod with the ball in his hands provided an incredible 54 yards per catch. Pine Bluff cruised to a 45-13 win over Little Rock Central in part of Crutchfield's dominant presence which continues to employ on the gridiron.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='149581' first='Dyelon' last='Caradine'] | 2024| Wide Receiver | Nashville</h2>   <p>The leading wideout for the Malvern Leopards is off to an incredible start for his senior season. Committed to the Air Force Academy, [player_tooltip player_id='149581' first='Dyelon' last='Caradine'] is providing the Falcons with all the reassurance of his play-making skills during the first two weeks of the Arkansas football season. The pass catcher followed up his week 0 performance of 8/153/1 with another stellar outing of 5/139/2. Not only was he able to pull the top off of the defense and win battles down the field but his shiftiness within traffic was eye-opening in his yards after catch.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Terry Hodges Jr. | 2026 | Running Back | Marked Tree</h2>   <p>Narrowly missing out on rushing for 200 yards in consecutive games to begin the 2023 season, Terry Hodges Jr. is a 2026 recruit from northeast Arkansas who needs to get noticed. He opened the year with 205 rushing yards, 3 touchdowns, and a host of other highlight plays including spinning off defenders in the backfield to bust positive gains and breaking four tackles down the sideline to break off an 80+ yard house call.</p>   <p>In his follow-up, Hodges did not disappoint, he accounted for 12 rushes, 190 yards, and 2 touchdowns. Hodges's agility and ability to fight through contact is eye-opening as he winds and twists through traffic and relentlessly keeps his feet moving forward at the point of attack for defenders.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='795245' first='Gabe' last='Witt'] | 2024 | Running Back | Southside</h2>   <p>A 2024 running back Prep Redzone has been banging the drum on all summer, [player_tooltip player_id='795245' first='Gabe' last='Witt'] exploded for two long touchdown runs as he jump cut out of his lane for his 70-yard touchdown scamper, busted through his hole with acceleration for his 50-yard score, and took an 8-yard wildcat snap for the trifecta. Witt finished the contest with 7 rushes, 166 yards, and 3 touchdowns on the ground. This ball carrier embodies every quality collegiate scouts look to attain; vision, patience, speed, and work ethic.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='382139' first='Kobe' last='Cunningham'] | 2024 | Quarterback | Fordyce</h2>   <p>The Fordyce Redbugs fell to Magnet Cove 40-36 this past week, but the loss shouldn't overshadow [player_tooltip player_id='382139' first='Kobe' last='Cunningham']'s performance behind center in a valiant effort. Cunningham, a true dual-threat in the pocket, passed for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns while rushing for 80-plus yards and another score. Defenses have found it hard to key on Cunningham because of his abilities to wait out coverage and stay patient in the pocket before jolting to the open field when downfield receivers are covered.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='731120' first='Jackson' last='Elam'] | 2026 | Kicker | Batesville</h2>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='731120' first='Jackson' last='Elam'] had an incredible performance Friday night for the home team. Elam, a 2026 recruit, already boasts a leg that converted attempts from 42 and 43 yards, respectively. On Elam's second attempt, he was kicking into a moderate headwind that would have given him a few extra yards otherwise. During preseason Elam has been recorded knocking down 50-plus yard attempts, which isn't out of the realm of consistent outcomes as he grows into his body during his high school career.</p>

Every week there is a new shining star who makes headlines by filling up the stat book or making the most of their touches like Pine Bluff's Courtney Crutchfield Courtney Crutchfield 6'3" | 185 lbs | WR Pine Bluff | 2024 State AR did this past Friday night. Prep Redzone strives to provide these players and their performances with the platform they deserve. Check out Tom Tabler's edition below!