Two-Way Difference Makers in Week 7
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As the number of games in this season’s rearview mirror continues to grow, it’s important to acknowledge that even in defeat, there are countless quality performances that sometimes get overshadowed by our natural tendency to celebrate the victors. Thus, even…
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Continue ReadingAs the number of games in this season’s rearview mirror continues to grow, it’s important to acknowledge that even in defeat, there are countless quality performances that sometimes get overshadowed by our natural tendency to celebrate the victors. Thus, even though some of these top two-way performers from Week 7 were unable to ultimately secure victory for their programs, their impacts on both sides of the ball nevertheless warrant recognition for exceptional effort and persistence in the face of adversity:
Isaiah Adkins
Isaiah Adkins
Despite his Warriors coming out on the short end of a 60-38 loss to undefeated district rival Betsy Layne, Adkins turned in a stellar effort that kept his squad within striking distance for most of the night, racking up 208 yards, 2 touchdowns and a two-point conversion on 15 rushing attempts and adding 5 total tackles from his defensive back position. After rushing for over 1,100 yards, averaging 12 points per game and finishing as his team’s #3 tackler last season, his comparable production this year currently has him ranked 11th among all Class AA rushers (96.0 yards per game), 13th among all receivers (60.4 points per game) and 14th among all scorers in the class (10.0 points per game). With the physicality and pad level to run through initial contact and sufficient speed to separate from second-and-third-level pursuit, he has accumulated nearly 1,100 yards of total offense thus far, spearheading the 10th-ranked rushing offense in Class AA and remaining among the Warriors’ top defenders despite added offensive responsibilities this fall.
Baldwin was a steady, persistently impactful presence on both sides of the football in his Cougars’ big 30-16 win over district rival Webster County, gaining 151 yards rushing on 25 carries while scoring 3 touchdowns and 1 two-point conversion and also hauling in 3 receptions for 50 yards receiving. Defensively, he was equally essential to his team’s success, collecting 2 solo tackles, 7 assists, 1 tackle for loss and 1 sack. After contributing over 700 yards of total offense and 11 touchdowns last season, he already is surpassing those numbers this year and currently ranks 30th among Class AA rushers with 1 75.6 yards per game average and 14th among all Class AA scorers with an average of 10.5 points per game. Also the Cougars leading tackler and the 7th-ranked tackler in Class AA, he currently has 42 solo tackles, 44 assists, 6.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception. An intense, high-motor competitor on both sides of the football, Baldwin projects favorably as a versatile, impactful contributor at the NAIA or Division III level.
Exceptional performances are becoming pretty common for Cowan and his undefeated Greyhounds, and his accomplishments on both sides of the football in their 40-6 district road victory at Nicholas County only confirm his status as one the top two-way linemen in Class A. Collecting 4 solo tackles, 8 assists, 2 tackles for loss and 2 sacks from his DT/DE position, he employs an explosive take-off from an athletic three-point stance and enlists improving blow delivery/separation skills to quickly defeat single blocks and disrupt offensive paths and timing. Also an offensive mainstay at the left tackle position, his Greyhounds rushed for 281 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win, averaging an impressive 8.8 yards per carry on 32 rushes. Currently the leading tackler on statistically the 11th-best rush defense and the 7th-best team defense statewide, he has produced 26 solo tackles, 42 assists 18 tackles for loss and 6 sacks (3rd in Class A). Cowan’s lower-body flexibility, athleticism and technical progression make him a top line prospect to track going forward.
Like his teammate above, Layne’s most recent productive and gutsy performance–even in defeat–warrants recognition and offers the opportunity to highlight a prospect demonstrating continual, progressive improvement, leadership and production. In addition to contributing 44 yards rushing and 1 touchdown on 5 carries, he also led all Cougar defenders with 2 solo tackles, 10 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble and 1 fumble recovery. Currently the #5 tackler in Class AA and #10 statewide, he has compiled 70 solo tackles, 23 assists and 12 tackles for loss alongside 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception. The top tackler on his defensive unit last season with 99 total stops, 11 tackles for loss and 2 forced fumbles, he has totaled 284 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns on 56 carries thus far this season but likely projects more favorably as an inside linebacker and/or special teams’ contributor.
Conner Reed
Conner Reed
In a tough 44-33 district loss at Bracken County, Reed excelled on both sides of the line of scrimmage, blocking for an attack rolled up 382 yards of total offense and equaled their highest single-game point total of the season. From his middle linebacker spot in the Wildcats’ 4-3 front, he employed consistent downhill/forward lean, leveraged pad level and a high pursuit motor to collect 7 solo tackles, 10 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception. Currently the #11 tackler in Class AA with 81 total stops, 3 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery and 1 interception, his average of 11.6 tackles per game rank him 28th statewide. A consistently secure tackler with improving ball skills, he projects favorably at the small college level as an outside linebacker, a safety/nickel type defender and/or a special teams contributor.