Week 9’s Top Quarterbacking Performances
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While we all have enjoyed the ups, downs and surprises of this regular season, clearly the fast-approaching playoffs will be the ultimate test of each team’s skill, determination, cohesion and strategy. And while each position on the field necessarily plays…
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Continue ReadingWhile we all have enjoyed the ups, downs and surprises of this regular season, clearly the fast-approaching playoffs will be the ultimate test of each team’s skill, determination, cohesion and strategy. And while each position on the field necessarily plays a critical role in a unit’s success, the quarterback stands out as the linchpin of most offensive systems and philosophies. Indeed, the importance of top-notch quarterback play cannot be overstated when it comes to assessing high school programs’ prospects for success in the playoffs. Thus, these exceptional Week 9 performances from some of Kentucky’s top trending signal callers might hint toward some of the state’s programs poised for memorable post-season runs:
After breaking his collarbone in Lloyd’s season opener of 2022, Evans was limited to six late-season game appearances as a freshman, and after aggravating the same injury again in a pre-season scrimmage this year, the enduring patience of Juggernaut fans finally was rewarded when the sophomore signal-caller made his regular season debut in last week’s 47-6 win over Bourbon County. Completing 22 of 28 pass attempts for 245 yards and 2 touchdowns, it appears that the Juggs’ QB1 has indeed returned to prior form, and that added offensive dimension will make his 8-1 squad particularly dangerous as this postseason gears up. A technically proficient passer with a quick release and the ability to distribute the ball to every sector of the field, Evans’ return performance helped his team clinch home field for round one of the Class AAA playoffs, and he will get one more week to prepare as they travel to Covington Scott for their season finale. He and the Juggernauts will then host Fleming County in their November 3rd playoff opener.
Houston Hodges
Houston Hodges
Despite quarterbacking an offensive attack that currently runs the football almost seventy percent of the time and ranks #2 in Class AA team rushing (18th statewide), Hodges invariably manages to put together very efficient and impactful passing performances, as his most recent outing confirms. On a night when his unit’s running game turned in another solid performance (41 carries for 211 yards), the run indeed seems to have set up the pass, as the Dragons’ signal caller completed 15 of his 21 attempts for 207 yards and all 4 offensive touchdowns. Now 109 of 171 on the season for 1,504 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air, his 167.1 yards passing per game ranks 10th in Class AA, helping elevate his squad to 8th in team scoring (35.1 points per game) and 6th in team scoring margin (20.2). A tall, mobile and technically proficient passer, Hodges and his district champion Dragons (8-1) will host Taylor County in the last game of the regular season and then will host Fort Knox in the first round of the Class AA playoffs.
Despite his exceptional production numbers and impressive developmental trajectory, we need to remind ourselves that Holman is still only a sophomore with plenty of room to develop; however, that realization proves more difficult to retain when we witness an outstanding performance like the one turned in most recently. Completing 28 of 44 pass attempts for 336 yards and 3 touchdowns, he sealed the victory with his final, 18-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter. Averaging 209.9 passing yards per game (#6 in AAAA/18th statewide), he now has completed 169 of 290 attempts for 1,889 yards and 20 touchdowns, elevating his offensive unit to #2 in team passing (241 yards per game/ 13th statewide) and 9th in team scoring (34.1 points per game). Exceptionally accurate in the short/intermediate passing game, Holman’s ability to move his launch point while keeping his eyes downfield makes him a particularly challenging opponent when pressured, forcing defenses to consider field zones, boundaries and even coverage matchups before attempting to pressure or flush him from the pocket. Holman and his district runner-up Cougars will travel to South Warren for their final outing of the regular season and will then host John Hardin in the first round of the Class AAAA playoffs.
Highlights
A tall, mobile and increasingly polished dual-threat quarterback with a tremendously high developmental ceiling, Johnson turned in the very first 300+ yard passing performance of his career last week’s exciting 45-38 district win over Owensboro, completing 18 of 22 attempts for 336 yards and 3 touchdowns. Also surpassing 100 yards rushing for the seventh time this season, he generated 112 yards on 17 carries as the Maroons’ win set up a three-way tie for the district title that will only be broken after all teams’ regular seasons conclud. Ranked in the top 5 of Class AAAAA performers in passing (184.8 yards per game), rushing (126.8 yards per game) and scoring (10.9 points per game), he has completed 127 of 177 pass attempts for 1,663 yards and 15 touchdowns and currently averages over 310 yards of total offense per game. Tall and poised in the pocket, Johnson and his Maroons (7-2) will travel to Murray to close out the regular season this week and then discover their Class AAAAA playoffs fate thereafter.
Highlights
Duri Trahan
Duri Trahan
After transferring from nearby Frederick Douglass in the off-season and then missing the first two games this fall due to injury, Trahan clearly is intent on making up for lost time if his most recent performances are any indication. Completing 11 of 13 pass attempts for 272 yards and 2 touchdowns, he made quick, efficient work of subduing crosstown rival Western Hills’ defensive unit in his Flyers’ 49-0 district win. Yet more notably, his performance also continues to fuel a very impressive, three-week heater for the senior quarterback in which he has completed over 71 percent of his passes for 897 yards and 8 touchdowns. Also rushing the ball 3 times for 28 yards and 1 score in his most recent outing, he now has completed 92 of 133 passes (69.2%) for 1,488 yards and 15 scores on the season while helping propel his undefeated (9-0) Flyers to the district championship and home field advantage through the first two playoff rounds. Currently the 10th-rated passer in Class AAAA averaging 186.0 yards per game, Trahan has helped elevate his program to #7 in Class AAAA for team scoring (35.9 points per game) and #6 in team scoring margin (25.7 points/16th statewide). Trahan and the Flyers will travel to George Rogers Clark to conclude their regular season slate this week and then host Doss in round one of the playoffs.