2023 Statewide Offensive Top Performers: Week 9

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 high school football season is in full swing in the state of Kentucky as we have now had nine full weeks of regular season action. Week 9 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 9. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["148268"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='148268' first='Kolter' last='Smith'] is a player that has been on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this past week. The senior quarterback led Male to a dominant victory over Fern Creek, completing 13/15 passes for 262 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith showed impressive accuracy, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver could catch it. He also displayed a nice deep ball, using his arm strength to lead his receivers down the field and hit them in stride. Kolter currently holds multiple offers and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a successful quarterback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["735557"],"_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":"Smith's go-to target during his big performance last week was junior [player_tooltip player_id='735557' first='Antonio' last='Harris']. Harris put on a show against a talented Fern Creek secondary, catching four passes for 165 yards and four touchdowns. Antonio is a very dangerous deep threat that is able to use his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation. He also has very reliable hands and has shown an impressive ability to track the ball over his shoulder. Harris has also shown the ability make tough contested catches. He is also a lockdown corner on defense. Antonio currently holds offers from East Carolina, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Purdue, and Louisville, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Power 5 caliber prospect that could play on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["735547"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='735547' first='Jack' last='James'] is another highly regarded quarterback that stood out this past week. He led his team to a blowout victory over Warren East, completing 24/29 passes for 429 yards and eight touchdowns.  James showed impressive arm strength which he used to stretch the field and lead his receivers away from opposing defensive backs in the deep passing game. He also showed nice touch on his passes, putting the ball where only his intended receiver could catch it. James currently holds offers from Old Dominion, Miami (OH), Troy, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber quarterback prospect.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["334645"],"_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='334645' first='Martels' last='Carter Jr'] was on the receiving end of James' impressive performance this past week. He was electric in the passing game, catching six passes for 217 yards and three touchdowns. Carter lined up mainly in the slot where he was able to use his speed to take the top off the defense in the deep passing game. He was also impressive after the catch, showing the ability to break tackles and run away from the defense to turn short passes into big gains. Carter is also a very impressive defensive back on the other side of the ball and finished last week's game with two tackles. Martels currently holds offers from Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, and Ole Miss, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Power 5 caliber prospect that could play on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["288257"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='288257' first='Clay' last='Hayden'] is a quarterback that has had an outstanding 2023 season and continued to impress this past week. He led Beechwood to a win over Carroll County, completing 12/13 passes for 328 yards and five touchdowns. Hayden was able to show off his strong arm which he used to stretch the field and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. He also showed an impressive ability to make tough throws under pressure. Hayden doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play quarterback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["373782"],"_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='373782' first='Brady' last='Atwell'] is another quarterback that has had a very successful season so far. He continued to impress in Owensboro Catholic's win over Edmonson County last week, completing 18/21 passes for 285 yards and five touchdowns. Atwell has shown the ability to use his arm strength to stretch the field in the deep passing game, leading his receivers down the field and hitting them in stride. He also puts a good amount of touch on his passes, putting the ball where only his intended receiver has a chance to catch it. Brady currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a successful quarterback at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["262300"],"_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='262300' first='Kasen' last='Brock'] is a player that has been very impressive in his first year of high school football. He had another strong performance out of the backfield in Pulaski County's win over Harlan County, running the ball 16 times for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Kasen is a strong runner that showed the contact balance to break tackles without losing stride. Once he hit the open field, he also showed the speed to run away from the defense to break away for long runs. He also showed the ability to make catches out of the backfield, catching two passes for 25 yards. Brock doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player for college coaches to keep an eye on as he continued to develop over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["378831"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"Another impact freshman that stood out to me this past week is [player_tooltip player_id='378831' first='Kade' last='Goodin']. Goodin led Collins to a dominant win over Anderson County, completing 20/25 passes for 243 yards and five touchdowns while only playing in the first half. He showed impressive accuracy, showing the ability to fit passes into tight windows where only his intended receiver could catch it. Goodin also showed the ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. He was also very electric in the running game, using his speed and elusiveness to break away on long runs. Goodin finished the game with eight carries for 78 yards and a touchdown. Kade currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he continues to develop as a prospect over the next few years.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["653375"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='653375' first='Cayden' last='Grigsby'] is another dual-threat quarterback that stood out to me last week. Grigsby led his team to a victory over Williamsburg, completing 11/15 passes for 253 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. As a passer, Grigsby showed tremendous arm strength which he used to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He was also very impressive as a ball carrier, showing the elusiveness to make defenders miss and the speed to run away from the defense. Cayden led his team with 14 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. He also finished the game with four tackles on defense. Cayden doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way eventually as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play on either side of the ball at the next level.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"Damien Hill","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"Fulton County","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up my top offensive performers from Week 9, I have Damien Hill. Hill is a player that is new to my radar after a very impressive performance in his team's win over Ballard Memorial. Damien was the focal point of the Fulton County offense and was outstanding out of the backfield last week, running the ball 32 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns. He also played a role on defense, finishing the game with five tackles. Hill doesn't currently hold any offers but is a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65304d3c1ef39"} /-->