2023 Statewide Offensive Top Performers: Playoffs Round 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the 2023 high school football regular season behind us, we have now made it through the first two rounds of the playoffs in the state of Kentucky. Round 2 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 second round of the playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373042"],"_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":"For the second straight week, [player_tooltip player_id='373042' first='Cortez' last='Stone'] finds himself on my top performers list. He played a huge role in Central's blowout win over Mercer County, running the ball 24 times for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Stone has impressive speed as a ball carrier, showing the ability to burst through the running lane and run away from the defense. Once he hits the open field, Stone has shown the contact balance to run through defenders without losing stride and the elusiveness to make them miss. Stone also caught one pass for five yards. Cortez currently holds offers from Western Kentucky, Louisville, Eastern Kentucky, Ball State, Miami (OH), Cincinnati, and Purdue, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Power 5 caliber running back prospect. Stone and the Yellowjackets have a very intriguing matchup ahead of them this week against the reigning 3A State Champion, Christian Academy of Louisville.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["483869"],"_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='483869' first='Jackson' last='Wasik'] is a quarterback that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out as a senior. He put together another impressive performance last week, leading the Knights to a second round victory over Russell. Wasik completed 17/21 passes for 310 yards and four touchdowns. He has a very strong arm which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Wasik also has shown an impressive ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make tough throws on the run. Jackson currently holds an offer from Calumet College and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play quarterback at the next level. Wasik and the Knights will be looking to keep their  playoff run going in a third round matchup against Rockcastle County this week.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["653367"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='653367' first='Willie' last='Rodriguez'] is a player that has continued to establish himself as one of the most talented players in the entire state this season and continued to impress last week. The senior tight end played a key role in the Covington Catholic passing game in their win over Ashland Blazer, catching six passes for 115 yards and three touchdowns. He showed the ability to line up both as a true tight end and in the slot where he was able to use smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. After the catch, Rodriguez showed the speed to get up the field to pick up extra yards and contact balance to break tackles without losing stride. He also made an impact on defense at defensive end, finishing the game with three tackles and a sack. Rodriguez is committed to Kentucky where I can see him becoming a key piece of their offense once he gets there. Willie and the Colonels will be looking to keep their season alive in a third round matchup against Johnson Central this week.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_player":["313643"],"_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='313643' first='Cole' last='Hodge'] has continued to show on a weekly basis this season that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the entire state. He put together another impressive performance in CAL's win over Elizabethtown last week, completing 16/20 passes for 286 yards and six touchdowns. Hodge has very impressive arm strength which he uses to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown impressive accuracy, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Hodge also ran the ball one time for 22 yards in last week's game. Cole is committed to East Carolina where I can see him becoming a successful quarterback at the next level. Hodge and the Centurions will be looking to continue their journey to defend their 3A State Championship in a matchup against Central this week.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["417270"],"_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":"Another quarterback that stood out to me last week was [player_tooltip player_id='417270' first='Tucker' last='Warren'] from Rockcastle County. Warren led his team to a hard-fought victory over Lawrence County, completing 12/20 passes for 217 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Tucker has impressive accuracy as a passer, showing the ability to hit his receivers out of their breaks where only they have a chance to catch the ball. He also has the arm strength to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Warren also showed true dual threat ability, running the ball 23 times for 65 yards and two touchdowns. He also made an impact on defense, finishing the game with eight tackles and an interception. Tucker currently holds an offer from Mount Saint Joseph and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. Warren and the Rockets will be looking to keep their season going in a tough matchup against Lexington Catholic this week.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["735547"],"_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='735547' first='Jack' last='James'] is a quarterback that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. James continued to impress in his team's second round win over Warren East, completing 29/36 passes for 389 yards and five touchdowns. He showed very impressive arm strength which he used to stretch the field and hit his receivers in stride in the deep passing game. James also showed impressive accuracy, showing the ability to fit passes into tight windows where only his intended receiver could catch it. He also showed the ability to make plays with his legs, running the ball seven times for 42 yards and a touchdown. Jack currently holds offers from Old Dominion, Troy, Miami (OH), and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a true Division I caliber quarterback prospect. James will be looking to lead his team to the state semifinals in a matchup against Spencer County this week,","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"Micheal Curry","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Atherton","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"Micheal Curry is a player that jumped onto my radar this past week. The junior running back played a key role in Atherton's dominant win over Butler, running the ball 19 times for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Curry has impressive vision as a ball carrier, showing the ability to find the running lane and hit it in a hurry. Once he hits the open field, Curry has the elusiveness to make defenders miss. He also showed the ability to leak out of the backfield and pose as a threat in the passing game. Micheal doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player to keep an eye on throughout the rest of the playoffs and going into his senior season. Curry and the Ravens will be looking to keep their season alive in a tough matchup against Owensboro this week.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["401720"],"_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='401720' first='Maddox' last='O'Neal'] is a quarterback that has had an impressive sophomore season and continued to stand out last week, leading his team to a victory over Henderson County. O'Neal completed 9/18 passes for 249 yards and five touchdowns. Maddox puts a nice amount of touch on his passes, showing the ability to place the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. He has also shown a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to escape the pocket while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Maddox doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to keep an eye on over the next few years. O'Neal and the Mustangs have a tough task ahead of them this week as they will face a talented Trinity team on the road.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["373821"],"_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":"While he is best known as a defensive prospect, [player_tooltip player_id='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'] stood out the most on the offensive side of the ball last week. Alexander lined up at tight end where he played a huge role in Cooper's impressive win on the road against Scott County. He showed the ability to pose as a dangerous vertical threat up the seam in the passing game, using his speed to create separation. Alexander also proved to be dangerous after the catch, using his strength to break tackles in the open field and speed to run away from the defense. He finished the game with five catches for 148 yards and three touchdowns. Alexander also continued to make an impact on the other side of the ball at defensive end, finishing the game with five tackles and a sack. Austin currently holds multiple Power 5 offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a very special talent. Alexander and the Jaguars will be looking to keep their playoff run going in a matchup against Southwestern this week.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["313658"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"To wrap up my offensive top performers from the second round of the playoffs, I have [player_tooltip player_id='313658' first='JuJu' last='Starks'] from Mayfield. The senior running back played a key role in the Cardinals' win over Murray, running the ball 18 times for 217 yards and four touchdowns. Starks showed a ton of strength in last week's game, showing the ability to break tackles with ease without losing stride. Once he hit the open field, he also showed the elusiveness to make defenders miss and speed to break off on long runs. Starks currently holds offers from Murray State and Georgetown College, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. JuJu and the Cardinals will be looking to keep their season going in a very intriguing matchup against Lexington Christian Academy this week.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6556d0f68a0a4"} /-->