Double Takes: Week 8’s Most Impactful Two-way Competitors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Now predominantly relegated to the prep levels, the most accomplished two-way players in high school football embody the sport's basic traits of versatility and dedication. In many ways, they embody the spartan spirit of the game, enduring double the risks and sacrifices of the sport while showcasing their skills on both offense and defense. However, while the demands of this double duty are considerable, the rewards in terms of personal growth and team success can be exceptional. Outstanding two-way performances like these emerging from Week 8 not only inspire teammates and coaches, but they also add a unique dimension to the sport, making high school football all the more singularly unique:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["331748"],"_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 finishing his sophomore season as the Green Dragons' #2 rusher and one of their most reliable defenders, Akal has made impressive technical strides and increased his overall productivity on both sides of the ball this fall. In Harlan's most recent 32-25 win at Lynn Camp, he topped the century mark in rushing yardage for the fifth time this season, completing the night with 105 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 successful two-point conversion on 19 carries. The Dragons' 6th leading tackler from his cornerback position, he also added 2 solo tackles and 5 assists, giving him 22 total stops and 2 tackles for loss on the year. Scoring 2 fourth quarter touchdowns to secure the comeback road win, Akal currently ranks 8th in Class A rushing with 108.2 yards per game, and he stands 19th among all Class A scorers (8.5 points per game). A physically explosive performer with exceptional acceleration, he and his squad will next host rival Williamsburg to determine second place in Class A, District 7 (and homefield advantage for round 1 of the playoffs).","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"Daniel Forbis","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"Campbellsville","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"At the risk of repeating basically the same news ad nauseum, yes, Forbis again has turned in dynamic, noteworthy performances on both sides of the football in helping his unbeaten Eagles secure their most recent win (35-0 at Louisville Holy Cross). That u0022hot takeu0022 should likely be routine for us all by now. What raises eyebrows with each new week, however, is the seemingly endless variety of ways he finds to impact games. For instance, this week he again put together a strong rushing performanceu002du002dgaining 198 yards and scoring 1 touchdown on 17 carries, but he also added two more scores via pass receptions and finished with over 240 yards of total offense. And defensively, you ask? Yep, just another night collecting double-digit stops (2 solo tackles, 8 assists, 1 tackle for loss and 2 sacks) while leading the Eagles' D to their third shutout of the season. For the season, Forbis ranks 11th in Class A rushing while averaging 97.1 yards per game, and his 12.0 points-per-game average places him 5th among Class A scorers. Defensively, he also remains the #2 tackler on a defensive unit that ranks among Kentucky's best in scoring defense, rushing defense, passing defense and team sacks. A physical and tireless competitor, Forbis and his Eagles will face their biggest game of the year this week when hosting undefeated Kentucky Country Day for the Class A, District 2 title.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["653486"],"_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":"In Fleming County's recent 36-7 district win over West Carter, Johnson once again proved exceptionally impactful on both sides of the footballu002du002drushing for 178 yards, 3 touchdowns and a successful two-point conversion on only 10 carries while also collecting 9 total stops and 1 tackle for loss from his safety position in the Panthers' secondary. An athletic competitor with length, above average speed and excellent ball skills, he currently ranks among the top 50 Class AAA performers in rushing (56.2 yards per game), receiving (54.4 yards per game) and scoring (8.0 points per game). Defensively, his physical frame and athleticism likewise enable him to successfully cover opposing teams' tallest/best receivers and his high pursuit motor makes him a consistent and physical factor versus opposing runing games. With 33 total stops, 1 tackle for loss, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions, he proves equally well suited to contribute in any of the game's three phases at the next level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["653386"],"_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":"A physically thick, agile and high-energy competitor, Layne has managed to maintain the impressive defensive production that he achieved last fall while successfully assuming a much more central role offensively from his fullback position. In his Warriors' big 22-21 district win at Pike County Central, he carried the football 21 times for 176 yards and 2 successful two-point conversions, but more impressively, he also went 2 for 2 through the air for 45 yards and 2 touchdowns. In testament to his athleticism and versatility, this fullback/linebacker prospect has actually completed 11 of 21 pass attempts for 173 yards and 2 scoresu002du002dpretty impressive! Defensively, Layne also collected 10 solo tackles, 2 assists and 1 tackle for loss on the night and has already surpassed his impressive 2022 defensive numbers (12.4 tackles per game/5th in Class AA). In 8 games this season, he already has secured 80 solo stops, 25 assists, 13 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery, and his current average of 13.1 tackles per game places him 7th among all Class AA defenders (13th statewide). Ideally suited for his current position as an inside linebacker in either an even or odd defensive front, his versatility and acumen for the game make him an intriguing special teams contributor at the next level, too.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["313668"],"_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":"A physically strong, explosive and deceptively athletic performer, McKinney was the most impactful player on the field in his Dragons' 51-28 district win over Monroe County, racking up 137 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns on 11 carries offensively while also collecting 11 tackles, 1 tackle for loss and a 27-yard pick-six (an eyebrow-raising, one-handed grab 'n go worthy of anyone's highlight reel) on defense. Now averaging over 125 yards of total offense per game, he ranks 15th among all Class AA rushers (88.1 yards per game), 38th among receivers (37.9 yards per game) and 6th among scorers (12.5 points per game/30th statewide). Defensively, his athleticism and ball skills also have contributed 39 total stops, 4 tackles for loss and 3 interceptions (2 of them returned for scores) in shared/situational defensive duty. With the frame, build and skill set to excel as a traditional fullback, tight end, H back or even inside linebacker, McKinney's explosiveness and technical prowess also have helped make him a standout thrower in shot put and discus, affording him a number of added next-level options.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":5,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-652eb113ae302"} /-->