Week 3’s Top Breakout Passing Performances
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As we approach the midpoint of the regular season, a number of the state’s top returning passers clearly have worked themselves into stellar form, and it is becoming clear that an exciting new group of underclassmen also are vying for…
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Continue ReadingAs we approach the midpoint of the regular season, a number of the state’s top returning passers clearly have worked themselves into stellar form, and it is becoming clear that an exciting new group of underclassmen also are vying for recognition of their own development. A varied group of seasoned seniors, first-year starters and emerging juniors, these signal callers all produced outstanding passing performances in Week 3 that helped propel their respective teams to big wins:
An athletic and technically proficient returning starter, Easton’s quick release, accuracy and clear acumen for the finer points of the passing game were on full display in his undefeated Scotties’ recent 43-7 road win over Allen County Scottsville. Completing 11/14 for 315 yards and 4 touchdowns, he delivers the ball with velocity on all perimeter and intermediate routes, he maintains impressive accuracy when throwing on the run, and he possesses the athleticism and physicality to force defenses to honor his running ability. After also contributing 19 yards and 1 touchdown rushing on Friday, Glasgow remains undefeated while averaging over 37 points per game. For the season, Easton is completing over 70 percent of his passes while averaging just under 250 total yards and 4 touchdowns per contest.
One of the more intriguing stories to emerge thus far this season has been the progression of this freshman quarterback as he has earned the opportunity to start for the state’s most successful program, and if Week 3 is any indication, Johnson is poised to hold onto the position for the foreseeable future. In the Shamrocks’ big 41-14 victory over Carmel (IN), he completed an impressive 15 of 18 pass attempts for 208 yards and 3 touchdowns while distributing the football to a total of seven different receivers. Displaying the pocket presence, throwing mechanics and downfield vision of a veteran signal caller, he has quietly and steadily progressed each week and currently has completed 45 of 75 pass attempts on the season for 485 yards and 6 touchdowns while securing his claim to the starting position for the remainder of the season.
Highlights
A four-year starter for the Wildcats, Osborne has shown steady, noteworthy improvements in his skill set with each added season of experience, and he now seems poised to conclude his impressive career on a high note. In his team’s impressive 50-28 win at Middlesboro, he spearheaded an efficient, varied offensive attack from start to finish, completing 15 of 20 pass attempts for 277 yards and 3 touchdowns. Currently completing 69 percent of his passes and averaging over 200 yards per game through the air, Osborne’s athleticism and durability also make him a formidable running threat in short-yardage contexts and whenever pursuit compels him to reposition his launch point.
Likely no quarterback in the state has generated offensive production on a high scale more quietly and unassumingly than Sammons has thus far this season. After producing over 3,000 yards of total offense as a sophomore starter last year, he seems poised to exceed even those numbers before season’s end after the Musketeers’ 46-36 win over East Carter. In addition to completing 12 of 15 pass attempts for 255 yards and 4 touchdowns he also rushed 13 times for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns. For those keeping score at home, that equates to 437 yards of total offense and 7 touchdowns for the night. Currently averaging just over 312 yards of total offense and 16 points per game, his varied skill set, elusiveness and physicality make him an especially confounding dual-threat performer.
After holding the starting quarterback position at nearby North Laurel for three seasons, Warren has transferred to Rockcastle County for his final year of high school competition, where he has played an essential role in the Rockets’ current 4-0 start. In addition to completing 13 of 19 passes for 228 yards and 6 touchdowns in his squad’s 63-27 win over Grant County, he also averaged over 7 yards per carry on eight rushes. Currently averaging over 202 yards passing and 4 touchdowns per game, Warren’s polished throwing mechanics, athleticism and patience in the pocket have helped make his Rockets the top scoring team in the state entering Week 4 (57.3 points per game).