Players to Watch in NV 4A Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Highlighting the players to watch in Nevada's 4A playoffs beginning with the first-round games this Thursday.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Desert </em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["817752"],"_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":"Plotnikov was among Nevada's most productive passers this season and the top passer in 4A by a wide margin. He finished the regular season with nearly 2,200 yards and 32 TDs with 7 INTs. One of his biggest strengths as a passer is his ability to extend plays and push the ball downfield for explosive plays against broken coverage. He can add air or velocity to intermediate-deep throws and can take advantage of space on the edge in the read-option game. Plotnikov helped Centennial finish undefeated in league with all of their wins coming by 2+ scores. #1 Centennial is the clear favorite to capture the 4A state title after finishing winless in 2022.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/15906938/652e085fdfd9db0468d0560eu0022u003eRegular Season Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6538f8ad22b26"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["471657"],"_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":"NV 4A's leading rusher totaled 1,500 yards and 19 TDs on 148 carries this season. Johnson's the most effective ball-carrier for a run-heavy offense with his smooth straight-line speed and ability to set up blocks on the edge. He's efficient in his lateral movement and shows some acceleration shooting through narrow lanes around the LOS. Johnson was a key piece of #2 SAL's 5-1 league finish in the program's second year of existence.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17605119/650f0e9290f9e80a24e201a6u0022u003eMidseason Highlightsu003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6538f8ad22ba1"} /--> <!-- 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='1112346' first='Miguel' last='Reinares'] ","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"Mojave","_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":"Reinares is a quick, shifty back that totaled nearly 700 rushing yards and 8 TDs on 129 carries as the leading rusher for Mojave. He's a dangerous player in space that can get downhill, bounce off tackles, and elude defenders at the second/third levels. He's a compact runner that can sustain speed/momentum when changing direction downhill and flashes some receiving ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Reinares recorded 100+ yards and 2 TDs against each of the three teams on Mojave's  side of the bracket (Rancho, Western, and SAL) and should be leaned on heavily in a potential title run.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://share.qwikcut.com/6528172a1a690adb67c4b9c8/Miguel%20Kiko%20Reinares%2023-24%20Mojave%20High%20Schoolu0022u003eMidseason Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6538f8ad22c68"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>More 4A Desert Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='820674' first='Saione' last='Inoke'] (LB / 2025 / Centennial)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Ty Hanley (ATH / 2024 / Centennial)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Sean Fuentes (DL / 2024 / Somerset Academy Losee)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1216304' first='Kieran' last='Daniel'] (ATH / 2026 / Somerset Academy Losee)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Rory Dean (QB / 2024 / Bonanza)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112431' first='Sencere' last='Mitchell'] (ATH / 2025 / Bonanza)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Caleb Asato (QB / 2024 / Mojave)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112244' first='Alex' last='Tuimaualuga'] (DL / 2026 / Mojave)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1110884' first='Chase' last='Neal'] (DB / 2026 / Cheyenne)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong><em>Mountain</em></strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["817775"],"_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":"Cunningham is the primary playmaker on both sides of the ball (RB/LB) for Sunrise Mountain. He's totaled 1,000 yards and 10 TDs on offense and leads the team in tackles (66) and TFLs (14). He's a downhill back with an appealing combination of speed and power in the open field. He's an active, physical OLB that uses his athleticism to disrupt passing lanes in shallow zone coverage and attacks ball-carriers low and square as a tackler. Cunningham has a strong case as the top overall player in the 4A Mountain playoffs.rnrnu0026nbsp;","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6538f8ad22cd2"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/AuhsojCunningh2/status/1706156682160828464","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/AuhsojCunningh2/status/1706156682160828464 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["817771"],"_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":"Thomas provides a disruptive, physical presence on the defensive front for #2 Canyon Springs. He uses his raw size (6'4”/250) and quick first step to get downhill between the tackles and create negative plays in the backfield. He could generate even more power with improved leverage and achieve more effectiveness as a block-shedder with more active, violent hands. Thomas has the physical tools and defensive acumen to be one of the most impactful defenders in the 4A playoffs.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6538f8ad22d39"} /--> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/kion_thomas12/status/1716261867134550020","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/kion_thomas12/status/1716261867134550020 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- 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":"Kellon Trubey ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026 ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'4u0022","_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":"Pinecrest Academy Losee ","_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":"Trubey established a strong connection with standout freshman WR [player_tooltip player_id='1226151' first='Nixon' last='Gasperosky'] in the regular season, passing for nearly 1,400 yards and 16 TDs with 5 INTs. He's shown some natural tools and athleticism as a passer in his sophomore season. There's room for improvement with his mechanics and overall fundamentals of the position but his raw size (6'4u0022) and talent present some upside to look out for. PAC's leading WR [player_tooltip player_id='1226151' first='Nixon' last='Gasperosky'] has produced the explosive plays in the passing game, totaling 41 catches for 820 yards and 10 TDs in his freshman season.rnrnu003ca href=u0022https://www.hudl.com/video/3/17951910/65185c3302b159061066e9cfu0022u003eMidseason Highlights u003c/au003e","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6538f8ad22df5"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>More 4A Mountain Players to Watch:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1226151' first='Nixon' last='Gasperosky'] (WR / 2027 / Pinecrest Academy Cadence)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1112496' first='Thomas' last='Marcellino'] (DB / 2025 / Sunrise Mountain)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Jaeshawn West (RB / 2024 / Eldorado)&nbsp;</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1576900' first='Oliver' last='Stimpson'] (ATH / 2026 / Pinecrest Academy Cadence)</strong></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list -->