20 Standouts from the 5A Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the upsides to the semifinal week of the postseason is being able to watch broadcasts of the games, making it possible to see multiple prospects at the same time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Doing live watches of multiple games at once means a lot will be missed on the initial watch of the game, but each of these games will get rewatched with more in-depth analysis.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a list of five of the many standout players from the live viewing of both 5A semifinal games and a look at the notes taken during the matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#2 Columbine vs #14 Chatfield</strong><br><em>Final: Columbine 35, Chatfield 16</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Reeve Holliday </strong>| Columbine | 2024 QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Holliday is a reliable QB who does a great job managing the offense. Good ball placement on his throws and is an effective runner.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381226' first='Josh' last='Snyder']</strong> | Columbine | 2024 RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snyder is a tough kid. Handled the majority of the rushing workload and was a true difference-maker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='381202' first='James' last='Cillessen']</strong> | Columbine | 2024 LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cillessen is a leader on the field. He helped set the tone on defense and played a part in the run game on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='875547' first='Hunter' last='Hamilton'] </strong>| Columbine | 2024 TE/DE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hamilton is another two-way standout. He showed promise as an extra blocker in the run game and managed to get open on passing opportunities. Solid force player as a DE.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Carlos Mendoza</strong> | Columbine | 2024 OL/DL</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mendoza is a center and defensive tackle who rarely came off the field. Tenacious player with imposing strength and good bursts of speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251265' first='Jake' last='Jones']</strong> | Chatfield | 2024 QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is an absolute baller. Dual-threat QB with a big arm who can extend plays with his legs and throw on the run.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Landon Mueller</strong> | Chatfield | 2024 RB/WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mueller has legitimate potential as a college player. Hard runner who is capable of picking up the tough yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Avery Deweese </strong>| Chatfield | 2024 OLB/DE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Deweese is the type of player who is easy to notice because of his ability to always be near the ball on every play. Was invaluable to a standout run-stopping defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='254906' first='Niguse' last='Shelp']</strong> | Chatfield | 2024 CB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shelp is a very talented corner with solid technique and impressive athleticism. Physical player who is willing to come downhill and lower a shoulder.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Caleb Espinosa</strong> | Chatfield | 2025 LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Espinosa is a radar pop-up with tone-setting physicality. Definitely a player to watch going forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-large-font-size"><strong>#1 Cherry Creek vs. #5 Ralston Valley</strong><br><em>Final: Cherry Creek 21, Ralston Valley 14</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='259298' first='Jordan' last='Herron']</strong> | Cherry Creek | 2024 RB/ATH</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Herron is an exciting player to watch. Outstanding at running between the tackles while patiently waiting for blocks to set up. Has explosive acceleration and breakaway speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Luke Owen</strong> | Cherry Creek | 2024 OLB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Owen is a solid linebacker with the potential to develop into a good college player. Moves well laterally with solid tackling fundamentals. Has the speed to cover flats and disrupt backfields on blitzes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='669194' first='Ashton' last='Shepardson']</strong> | Cherry Creek | 2025 LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shepardson has had a breakout junior season. Has a high motor and plays with a lot of intensity. Was a key component in big-time plays in the backfield. A prospect worth watching.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='283707' first='Tufanua' last='Ionatana Umu-Cais']</strong> | Cherry Creek | 2026 DT</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Umu-Cais is a phenomenal defensive tackle with an insanely high ceiling. Twitchy off the line with a lot of power. Elusive techniques make him difficult to contain. Will be a top prospect nationally.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Max Lovett</strong> | Cherry Creek | 2026 WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lovett is a standout with a very bright future. Is on pace to be another big-name WR prospect. Worthy of being on D1 radars now.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='527105' first='Logan' last='Maddden'] </strong>| Ralston Valley | 2024 QB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Madden is the real deal. Outstanding QB who checks off all the boxes. Big arm, is accurate, and has velocity on his throws but can also put a nice touch. Should be a D1 prospect for sure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Jackson Hansen</strong> | Ralston Valley | 2024 WR</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hansen is a legitimate playmaker on both sides of the ball. Shifty route runner, explosive bursts of acceleration, breakaway top-end speed, tracks the ball well, and has reliable hands. Sleeper!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='826239' first='George' last='Patterson']</strong> | Ralston Valley | 2024 OLB/DE</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Patterson is one of a handful of studs on the defensive front from Ralston Valley. Imposing size with formidable strength and impressive athleticism. Potential sleeper.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Laird Jones </strong>| Ralston Valley | 2024 LB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Jones is a force in the box from the linebacker position. Has a nose for the ball and a knack for finishing plays. Big-time prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='251274' first='Brady' last='Weldon']</strong> | Ralston Valley | 2024 RB</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Weldon is a tough runner who is capable of picking up the tough yards when needed. More of a one-cut running back. Unafraid of contact and difficult to bring down on initial hit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->