2023 Statewide Offensive Top Performers: Playoffs Round 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football regular season behind us, we have now made it through the first round of the playoffs in the state of Kentucky. Round 1 gave us several exciting games with some impressive individual performances. While it was hard to pick from all of the strong performances from this past weekend, here are my top offensive performances in the state of Kentucky from the first round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373782"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='373782' first='Brady' last='Atwell'] is a player that had a very strong regular season and has carried it over to the playoffs. He led his team to a first round victory over Caldwell County, completing 16/21 passes for 255 yards and six touchdowns. Atwell has a strong arm which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. He also puts a nice amount of touch on his passes, putting the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Atwell also led the team in rushing with two carries for 25 yards. Brady currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a successful quarterback at the next level. Atwell and the Aces will host Crittenden County for a second round matchup this week.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["373042"],"_player_evaluations_1_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='373042' first='Cortez' last='Stone'] is a player that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to assert his dominance this season. He played a key role in Central's first round win over Casey County, running the ball 22 times for 174 yards and five touchdowns. Stone showed impressive strength as a runner, showing the ability to keep his feet running through contact and keep his balance to break tackles without losing stride. He also showed the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Cortez currently holds offers from Ball State, Cincinnati, Miami (OH), Purdue, Western Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, and Louisville, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the Power 5 level. Stone will look to keep things going in his team's second round matchup against Mercer County this week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["653487"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"Another running back that stood out to me in Round 1 was [player_tooltip player_id='653487' first='Brock' last='Messer']. Messer played a key role in Martin County's first round win over Pike County Central, running the ball four times for 200 yards and three touchdowns. Brock showed very impressive speed which he used to burst through the running lane and simply run away from the defense on long runs. He also showed good contact balance, showing the ability to break tackles in the open field without losing stride. Messer doesn't currently hold any offers but he deserves some attention from college coaches as he has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. Brock and the Cardinals will face Betsy Layne in the second round this week.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["417455"],"_player_evaluations_3_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='417455' first='Kam' last='Hughes'] is a player that has had a very impressive 2023 season and continued to stand out last week. While he only played in the first half of the blowout win over Owen County, he still produced while on the field. Hughes finished the game with 17 carries for 131 yards and four touchdowns. He showed the ability to use his speed to get into the open field in a hurry to pick up big gains before defenders could get to him. Once he hit the open field, he showed the ability to either lower his shoulder and run straight through defenders or make cuts to make them miss. Kam currently holds offers from Hanover and Union, and I expect him to thrive wherever he decides to play at the next level. Hughes will look to continue his impressive senior season in Somerset's second round matchup against Leslie County this week.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["499069"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='499069' first='Daniel' last='Thomas'] is a player that I've talked about quite a bit this season as he has had an unbelievable senior year. He continued to impress in Bell County's first round victory over Magoffin County, running the ball 23 times for 336 yards and four touchdowns. Thomas has the speed to run straight through the defense before defenders even have a chance to try to tackle him. When defenders do catch up to him, he has shown the ability to make cuts in the open field and run through defenders to pick up extra yards. Thomas currently holds offers from Notre Dame College (DII) and Kentucky Wesleyan, and I expect him to be a true impact player wherever he ends up playing at the next level. For now, Daniel will look to continue his strong senior year in a tough second round matchup against Belfry this week.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["313643"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='313643' first='Cole' last='Hodge'] has continued to prove that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire state this season. He continued to impress last week, leading CAL to a first round victory over Marion County. Hodge showed off his impressive accuracy as a passer, completing 8/8 passes for 301 yards and five touchdowns. He has also continued to show very impressive arm strength which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Cole is committed to East Carolina where I can see him becoming a very successful quarterback at the next level once he gets his chance. Hodge will look to continue to lead his team on their journey to defend their state championship in a second round matchup against Elizabethtown this week.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["735551"],"_player_evaluations_6_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"The go-to target in Cole's impressive performance was his brother, [player_tooltip player_id='735551' first='Connor' last='Hodge']. Connor finished the game with four receptions for 125 yards and three touchdowns. He lined up both on the outside and in the slot where he was able to use his speed and smooth breaks in his routes to create separation from opposing defensive backs. Hodge also proved to be dangerous after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness in the open field to turn short passes into big gains. He also played a key role on defense as a defensive back, coming away with an interception and returning it for a touchdown. Connor currently holds offers from East Carolina, Ball State, Georgia Southern, Central Michigan, Southeast Missouri State, Eastern Kentucky, and UT Martin, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber prospect.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["148268"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='148268' first='Kolter' last='Smith'] is a quarterback that had a very impressive final regular season and has carried his success into the playoffs. Smith led Male to a first round victory over Great Crossing, completing 12/14 passes for 313 yards and six touchdowns. Kolter showcased his impressive arm strength which he used to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He also showed the ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Smith currently holds several offers and I can see him becoming a successful quarterback at the next level wherever he decides to play. Kolter will look to continue to lead his team on their journey back to the 6A State Championship Game in a second round matchup against Fern Creek this week.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["418716"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"Smith's go-to target in his strong performance was senior wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='418716' first='Max' last='Gainey']. Gainey finished the game with seven catches for 151 yards and four touchdowns. He is very impressive as a route runner, showing smooth breaks in his routes which he uses to create separation from opposing defensive backs. Gainey is also very explosive after the catch, showing the speed to take short passes/screens and run away from the defense for big gains. Max currently holds one offer from Purdue but I wouldn't be surprised to see more teams try to get in on him late as he is a very talented wide receiver that has had an outstanding senior year.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1323020' first='Cooper' last='Falconite']","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"McCracken County","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_9_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_9_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up my top offensive performers from the first round, I ah e [player_tooltip player_id='1323020' first='Cooper' last='Falconite']. The junior wide receiver played a huge role in his team's first round win over Barren County, catching nine passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns. Cooper lined up on the outside where he showed quick breaks in his routes which he used to create separation from opposing defensive backs. He also proved to be very dangerous in the open field after the catch, showing the ability to make cuts on the dime to make defenders miss. Cooper doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player for college coaches to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the playoffs and going into his senior year. Falconite and the Mustangs will be looking to keep their playoff run going in a second round matchup against Henderson County this week.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-654d6c7a89635"} /-->