2023 Statewide Offensive Top Performers: State Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we approach the end of November, the 2023 high school football season is almost over as we have now made it through the state semifinals in the state of Kentucky. The semifinal round 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 state semifinals.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["340071"],"_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='340071' first='Deuce' last='Bailey'] is a quarterback that has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. He put together another strong performance in Bowling Green's semifinal win over Owensboro, completing 18/29 passes for 263 yards and a touchdown. Bailey showed impressive accuracy, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver could catch it. He also showed the arm strength to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Deuce also showed the ability to tuck the ball and make plays with his legs, finishing the game with five carries for 30 yards and two touchdowns. Bailey currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Missouri State, and Miami (OH), and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber quarterback prospect. Deuce and the Purples will look to finish their season on top in the 5A State Championship Game against Cooper this Saturday.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_player":["287574"],"_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='287574' first='Avery' last='Bodner'] is another player that has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress last week. He played a key role in Boyle County's win over Franklin County, leading his team with 17 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns. Bodner is a downhill runner that bursts through the running lane with a sense of urgency. Once he hits the open field, he has the strength to run through defenders and speed to simply run away from them. He also caught one pass for 23 yards while also leading the team in tackles with eight and coming away with one sack on defense. Avery currently holds offers from Lindsey Wilson, Campbellsville, Union, Thomas More, Kenyon, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect him to be a true impact player wherever he decides to play at the next level. Bodner and the Rebels will be looking to defend their state title in the 5A State Championship Game against Covington Catholic this Friday.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["313658"],"_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 last week was [player_tooltip player_id='313658' first='JuJu' last='Starks'] from Mayfield. He played a huge role in Mayfield's hard-fought victory over Beechwood, running the ball 27 times for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Starks continued to show his explosive speed which he used to burst through the running lane and run away from the defense on long runs. He also showed the strength and contact balance to break tackles without losing stride. 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 face off against Owensboro Catholic in the 2A State Championship this Friday.","_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 put together a very impressive senior season and had another strong performance last week. Hodge led CAL to a dominant victory over Lexington Catholic, completing 26/31 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns. Cole has a strong arm which he uses to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown tremendous ball placement, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Hodge also led his team in rushing, finishing the game with 13 carries for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Cole is committed to East Carolina where I can see him being a successful quarterback at the next level. Hodge and the Centurions will be looking to defend their state title in the 3A State Championship Game against Bell County this Saturday.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["418717"],"_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='418717' first='Justin' last='Ruffin Jr'] was Hodge's go-to target in last week's victory. He finished the game as his team's leading receiver, catching eight passes for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Ruffin is a dangerous deep threat as he is able to use his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs to create separation. He is also electric after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness to turn short passes into big plays. Ruffin also led the team in tackles, finishing the game with six. Justin is committed to Army where I expect him to be a true impact player once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["373782"],"_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='373782' first='Brady' last='Atwell'] has had an incredible junior year and he continued to impress last week. He led Owensboro Catholic to a dominant victory over Somerset, completing 32/49 passes for 476 yards and five touchdowns. Atwell throws an impressive deep ball, using his strong arm to lead his receivers down the field and away from opposing defensive backs. He has also shown impressive accuracy, showing the ability to put the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Atwell also led his team in rushing, carrying the ball eight times for 92 yards and a touchdown. Brady currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber quarterback prospect. Atwell and the Aces will be looking to complete an undefeated season in the 2A State Championship Game against Mayfield this Friday.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_player":["653479"],"_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":"As he has been for most of the 2023 season, [player_tooltip player_id='653479' first='William' last='Carrico'] was Atwell's go-to target in last week's win. He led the team in receiving with 10 receptions for 177 yards and four touchdowns. Carrico lined up mainly in the slot where he was able to use his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs in the deep passing game. He also showed the ability to use smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. Carrico also played a key role on defense as an outside linebacker/strong safety, finishing the game with five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. William holds offers from Benedictine College, Marian, Ave Maria, and Kentucky Wesleyan, and I expect him to be a very productive player wherever he decides to play at the next level.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["499069"],"_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='499069' first='Daniel' last='Thomas'] has had a record-breaking 2023 season and he hasn't slowed down during Bell County's playoff run. He led the Bobcats to a semifinal victory over Hart County last week, carrying the ball 41 times for 236 yards and four touchdowns. Thomas is an explosive runner, showing the ability to burst through the running lane then hit a second gear in the open field to run away from the defense. He also has shown the contact balance and elusiveness to make defenders miss when they're able to catch up to him. Thomas also played a key role on defense at linebacker, finishing the game with seven tackles. Daniel has received offers from Notre Dame College and Kentucky Wesleyan, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level. Thomas and the Bobcats will be looking to knock off the defending champions in the 3A State Championship Game against CAL this Saturday.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["586098"],"_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":"[player_tooltip player_id='586098' first='Brenden' last='Anthony'] is another ball carrier that has had a strong season and continued to impress last week. He played a key role in Pikeville's win over Campbellsville, running the ball 26 times for 248 yards and three touchdowns. Brenden is a strong, downhill runner that has shown the ability to lower his shoulder and run straight through defenders without breaking stride. He has also shown the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. Anthony also played a key role on defense at linebacker, finishing the game with 11 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Brenden doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to watch going into his senior year as he has already received some college interest. Anthony and the Panthers will be looking to defend their state title in the 1A State Championship Game against Raceland this Friday.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["151007"],"_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 state semifinals, I have [player_tooltip player_id='381940' first='Logan' last='Lundy'] from Raceland. Lundy led the Rams to a dominant win over Kentucky Country Day, completing 12/17 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns. He showed off his strong arm which he was able to use to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Logan also showed impressive accuracy, putting the ball where only his intended receiver could catch it. Lundy also ran the ball seven times for 18 yards. Logan currently holds multiple offers and I expect him to thrive wherever he ends up playing at the next level. Lundy and the Rams will be seeking revenge in a rematch of last year's 1A State Championship Game against Pikeville this Friday.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-656823a822676"} /-->