Players to Watch in NV 3A Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Players to watch from both Northern and Southern regions in NV's 3A playoffs. First-round games take place this Thursday 10/26. </em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Northern:</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1099916' first='Joe' last='Birnbaum'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Truckee","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Birnbaum is the leading playmaker for the #1 team in 3A. Truckee's junior RB leads the offense in rushing (90 carr., 925 yards, 18 TDs) and receiving (34 recs., 704 yards, 9 TDs). He's a dynamic athlete with pure playmaking talent and ability with the ball in his hands. He offers speed, elusiveness, great balance through contact, and versatility in his slot-WR skillset. Birnbaum was a huge piece of Truckee's 10-0 regular season run and could be the difference-maker for a second consecutive state championship.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15945866/651c207cda50ed0ad499168du0022u003e2023 Regular Season Highlightsu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653837a8a5c26"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Maxx Ellermeyer ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Truckee","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Ellermeyer is the second-leading tackler (95) and the leader in TFLs (26) in NV 3A football. He's an extremely active and athletic LB with the speed and trigger downhill to create negative plays against the run game. He's physical as a tackler despite his smaller frame for the position (6'/180) using it to his advantage when evading blockers and shooting through narrow gaps. Ellermeyer, NV 3A's leading tackler in 2022, is the leader for a Truckee defense allowing less than 14 ppg.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/14387165/6532b33a5cb41007f0c0d979u0022u003eWeek 9 Highlights vs. South Tahoeu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653837a8a5cc5"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Roland Grondin ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Churchill County ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"NV 3A's leading rusher has totaled over 1,400 yards and 14 TDs on 196 carries (7.3 ypc) for Churchill County this season. Grondin's a smaller, more elusive ball-carrier at 5'9”/160 that runs with churning speed and downhill leg drive. He rushed for 100+ yards and a TD in seven of CC's nine games, including a 192-yard/3 TD-performance against their first round opponent- Lowry- in the final regular season game. Grondin will be a key factor against Elko if Churchill County is able to make it out of the first round- Elko won the regular season matchup 13-8.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15733872/651f195790f9420b0c33d91eu0022u003eWeek 2 Highlights vs. Galenau003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653837a8a5d70"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>More Northern 3A Players to Watch: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817741' first='Eli' last='Finlayson'] (RB / 2024 / Elko)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112327' first='Jace' last='Estabrook'] (QB / 2024 / Truckee)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='817738' first='Preston' last='Chamberlin'] (TE / 2024 / Elko)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Cody Acord- (DL / 2024 / Spring Creek)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Southern:&nbsp;</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["820686"],"_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":"Nevil's arguably the most talented and gifted playmaker in NV's 3A class. He possesses D-I level foot speed/quickness, is extremely fluid and elusive at the second/third levels, and can hit a second gear to break away from defenders and finish explosive plays. He's also an active defender from his SS/OLB spot that excels in zone coverage where he can utilize his natural athleticism and ability to play in space. Nevil's a close second in total rushing yards among 3A RBs with over 1,300 yards and 21 TDs out of the backfield and 4 INTs on defense. SLAM will face the winner of (4) Virgin Valley and (5) Democracy Prep Agassi Campus in the second round.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/16280841/6505c46bbed6c508e4a9861eu0022u003eMidseason Highlightsu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653837a8a5dd9"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Shandon Matheson ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Moapa Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Matheson proved to be among the most dynamic players in 3A while racking up over 1,200 rushing yards and 20 TDs on the season. He shows good bounce in his step as a ball-carrier and can accelerate through openings with burst. He's extremely light on his feet and can cut and change direction fluidly. He's a strong defender from his SS/OLB spot that can tackle and cover between the hash and numbers effectively. Matheson and Moapa Valley secured a first-round bye as the #2 seed in the Southern region setting up a potential rematch against their only league loss this season- SLAM (34-7).rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15695472/653428b564ea1d0930e53aa3u0022u003eWeek 9 Highlights vs. Virgin Valleyu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653837a8a5e65"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1112316' first='Gage' last='Hopkinson'] ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2409","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Boulder City ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Hopkinson has been a quiet stock-riser among 3A QBs while leading Boulder City to a 6-2 regular season finish with nearly 1,900 passing yards and 20 TDs to 5 INTs. He also leads the team in rushing with 320 yards and 5 TDs on 78 carries. He's a naturally athletic QB that can escape the pocket, find receivers on the run, and challenge secondaries vertically with his natural arm strength. He's a raw passer from the pocket that can deliver the ball with finesse and accuracy. Hopkinson will look to lead #3 Boulder City to a potential upset over #2 Moapa Valley if they're able to get past #6 Mater East in the first round.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/18005439/652ae9475797d203dce9c728u0022u003eWeek 6 Highlights vs. SLAMu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-653837a8a5eee"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>More Southern 5A Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='821024' first='Chysten' last='Tabangcura'] (ATH / 2024 / SLAM)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='506033' first='Chase' last='Otteson'] (WR / 2024 / Virgin Valley)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112341' first='Decker' last='Lee'] (RB / 2025 / Virgin Valley)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='819528' first='Gunner' last='Cortez'] (QB / 2025 / Virgin Valley)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1327310' first='Gavyn' last='Frederick'] (DL / 2025 / Moapa Valley)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Brady Sorenson (ATH / 2024 / Boulder City)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->