Double Impact: Best Two-way Performers in Week 6
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Talent, durability, endurance, and okay–at least some measure of good fortune–are all needed to impact football games both offensively and defensively, particularly as some of the season’s inevitable bumps and bruises begin to accumulate. Almost unheard of at the collegiate…
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Continue ReadingTalent, durability, endurance, and okay–at least some measure of good fortune–are all needed to impact football games both offensively and defensively, particularly as some of the season’s inevitable bumps and bruises begin to accumulate. Almost unheard of at the collegiate level today and increasingly rare even at many prep programs, two-way players like these outstanding Week 6 performers are uniquely impactful on the field in an exciting variety of ways and warrant recognition for their exceptional athleticism, versatility and high-energy execution.
Daniel Forbis
Daniel Forbis
For the second consecutive week, Forbis has turned in stellar two-way performances as his Eagles cruise along at 7-0 with the #2 scoring defense and #3 scoring offense in Class A. A consistently high-motor contributor on both sides of the ball, he rushed for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns on only 10 carries in his squad’s 36-6 win at Danville while also finishing his big night with 2 solo tackles, 6 assists and 1 tackle for loss. A physical, downhill runner with deceptive speed and an aggressive inside linebacker with the ability to run through open-field windows to contact the football, he currently ranks 19th among all Class A rushers while averaging 10.0 yards per carry. Also the 29th leading tackler in Class A, he currently ranks second among Eagles defenders with 46 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. After leading his team in tackles as a mere freshman in 2020, he has remained a top defensive contributor throughout his prep career while also demonstrating the skills and durability to become a very efficiently productive offensive prospect.
Historically, Grigsby has been such a consistently, quietly productive signal caller for the Yellow Jackets that it can be easy to forget the myriad other ways that he can quickly and profoundly impact games without taking the snap from center. In his team’s 40-24 road win at Harlan, sure, he turned in his typically outstanding offensive game, completing 5 of 6 pass attempts for 103 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 71 yards on 11 carries. However, even before the first offensive snap, he had returned the opening kickoff 83 yards for a touchdown, and–coupled with his 2 successful two-point conversions–he exceeded his points-per-game average for the night. He also excelled defensively from his cornerback position, collecting 6 assisted tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack and 1 interception while demonstrating the speed, physicality and ball skills to be an excellent defender at the next level. Currently averaging 208.0 yards of total offense per game, he also leads all Class A defenders with 5 interceptions (tied for 3rd statewide), one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Tyson Martin
Tyson Martin
Playing football in the state’s smallest classification can sometimes make recognition a bit more difficult to attract or sustain, but that potential obstacle seems to be quickly disappearing in light of the performances and season that Martin is putting together for his 3-4 Colonels. In their 72-14 road shellacking at Fulton County, he broke loose for 381 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns on 15 carries, now giving him 963 yards and 13 touchdowns in 6 games (160.5 yards per game). Currently the top-ranked rusher in Class A and #9 statewide, this sophomore also contributed 9 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3 tackles for loss and a 28-yard scoop-and-score from his walked-up outside linebacker position in the Colonels’ 4-4 defense. Also the 4th-ranked tackler in Class A, he has collected 40 solos, 28 assists, 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks in 6 games and demonstrates an uncanny nose for loose footballs with two scoop-and-score fumble recoveries (of 28 and 53 yards, respectively) and 3 interceptions with 96 total return yards.
A physically durable and athletic performer with the ability to play multiple positions on both sides of the ball, Smith demonstrated the full range of his versatility in his Cardinals’ recent 44-6 thumping of Russell County with 64 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns on 4 carries and another 112 yards receiving on 4 catches. As an outside linebacker in their 3-5 defense, he typically aligns on the line of scrimmage and off the frame of potential blockers, where he enlists his quick vertical take-off, leverage skills and high pursuit motor to continually disrupt blocking schemes and offensive timing. Collecting 3 solo tackles, 4 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack most recently, for the season he has produced 57 total tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception (a 50-yard pick six). Considered a “hard commit” to Eastern Kentucky, he exhibits the frame, skill set and athleticism to project favorably as either an outside linebacker or a strong safety/nickel type defender and an immediate contributor on special teams.
Vincent Smith
Vincent Smith
A talented underclassman with exceptional acceleration and efficient change-of-direction mechanics, Smith has put together two consecutive weeks of solid offensive production in conjunction with his typical defensive contributions and seems poised to help lead his Yellow Jackets on another deep playoff run. In their 40-24 road win at Harlan, he rushed for 88 yards, 2 touchdowns and a successful two-point conversion on 10 carries while also contributing 11 assisted tackles, 1 tackle for loss and 1 sack defensively. While somewhat undersized for his position at inside linebacker in a 4-4 defensive scheme, he demonstrates excellent pad level, leverage and the ability to never permit blockers access to his chest or numbers. With 59 total tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 fumble recovery, he currently ranks 11th among all Class A defenders with an average of 9.8 tackles per game and also comes in at #30 on the current list of Class A rushers.