Top Two-Way Performers in Week 4

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the season progresses and athletes begin to accumulate their own unique collections of bumps, bruises and aches, those performers who remain available to perform at high levels on both sides of the ball become increasingly rare. With most of these prospects now having completed five regular season contests, their exceptional production both offensively and defensively is a true testament to each player's talents, competitiveness, durability and good fortune. In Week 4, these following two-way talents put together impactful performances for their teams on both sides of the football:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["865211"],"_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":"After breaking into the win column for the first time this season in Week 4, the Wildcats' can build upon two-way performances like the one Phelps put together in their 33-12 win over Ohio County. In addition to grinding out 192 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns on 20 carries offensively, he also finished as his defensive unit's second-leading tackler by contributing 6 solo tackles and 1 assist from his linebacker position. A physical, durable runner with above average speed and consistently forward/downhill pad level, he leads all Wildcat rushers with 243 yards and 3 touchdowns on 38 carries despite missing one game.  Currently the defense's fourth-leading tackler with 19 solos and 2 assists, Phelps displays disciplined footwork, consistent leverage and intelligent pursuit angles as an inside linebacker.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["490002"],"_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":"Pugh's defensive production has been widely recognized on this siteu002du002dand rightfully sou002du002dbut it also warrants noting that in addition to consistently disrupting opposing offensive game plans and collecting double-digit tackling totals each week, he also provides the Eagles a situational offensive weapon that other defenses must prepare for. Even on more difficult nights, like in his Eagles' 50-12 Week 4 loss at Clay County, he still put together an impressive defensive performance with 10 solo tackles, 4 assists and 2 tackles for loss, and he also hauled in 2 passes offensively for 20 yards. An aggressive, perpetually active, downhill inside linebacker, he has already collected 48 solo tackles, 22 assists, 9 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 safety in five games this season. Offensively, he also has averaged 11 yards per carry on 9 rushes and scored 1 touchdown while helping lead his 3-2 Eagles to their best 5-game start since 2016.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"Aiden Smith","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"Adair County","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_2_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_2_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"The Indians are 4-1 at the mid-point of their regular season, and Smith has been a standout two-way contributor as both a wide receiver and defensive back. In his team's 50-28 win over Monroe County, he hauled in 4 receptions for 146 yards and 2 touchdowns and also tacked on two PAT kicks for the night. Then defensively, he was perhaps even more impactful after finishing with 5 solo tackles, 7 assists and 2 interceptions (with 13 total return yards). Currently the team's second-leading receiver for the season with 11 catches for 271 yards and 5 touchdowns, he also has connected on 8 total PAT kicks and scored a two-point conversion for a current average of 8.0 points per game. His 17 total solo tackles and 15 assists place him fourth on his defensive unit's tackling list, while his 4 total interceptions for the season currently make him the Class AAA interceptions leader and #2 statewide (all classes).","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["943481"],"_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":"As the Rebels' top returning rusher and second-leading tackler, Stephens has picked up precisely where he left off last season and proven himself both athletic and durable enough to produce at a high level both offensively and defensively. In his team's most recent 34-6 victory on the road at McCreary Central, he carried the ball 19 rushes for 153 yards rushing and two touchdowns while also tacking on 3 solo tackles, 5 assists and 2 quarterback sacks defensively. A durable and elusive ball carrier with above-average speed, in 5 games this season he leads all Rebel rushers with 633 yards and 6 touchdowns on 108 carries while also hauling in 8 pass receptions for 60 yards and averaging 8.4 points per game. Currently his defense's second-leading tackler, as well, he has collected 22 solo tackles, 21 assists and 2 sacks from his outside linebacker position in Casey County's 3-4 front.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["499069"],"_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":"Sure, anyone who follows high school football in this state marvels at Thomas's ability to produce such impressive offensive numbers week-in and week-out, but these feats prove even more impressive when we recognize the degree to which he also contributes defensively. On the offensive side of the ball, his most recent outing (a 48-42 shootout win at Whitley County) was again jaw-droppingly productive with 357 yards rushing, 5 touchdowns and a two-point conversion on 30 carries, but from his outside linebacker spot he also contributed 8 solo tackles and 1 fumble recovery in a game determined by a single possession. For the season, his downhill urgency, speed and pad level have enabled him to average over 10.2 yards per carry on 125 rushes and reach the end zone 21 times in his first 5 games. Currently the state's leading rusher and scorer, he also has thrown for 1 touchdown, returned a fumble 82 yards for another score and ranks second among Bobcat tacklers with 28 solos, 2 assists, 1 tackle for loss and 2 fumble recoveries.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6509e488847ce"} /-->