8 Games, 8 Players to Note for the First Round of the 5A Playoffs
The 5A classification always brings deep competition come mid-November, plus there are numerous division-one talents, such as Austyn Dendy, Quentin Murphy, and Brian Huff. Additionally to these names, here are eight players who will need to make an impact for…
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Continue ReadingThe 5A classification always brings deep competition come mid-November, plus there are numerous division-one talents, such as Austyn Dendy, Quentin Murphy, and Brian Huff. Additionally to these names, here are eight players who will need to make an impact for their teams to be successful this Friday night.
Quentin Murphy | 2025 | Quarterback | Joe T Robinson
Joe T Robinson @ Southside
Speed and arm strength? No question you’ll find all you want with Quentin Murphy. One look at his film and you’ll understand why he’s being recruited at the highest levels on the collegiate circuit. When Murphy pulls the ball for a wide space of grass you won’t be catching him until he hits pay dirt. If a spy isn’t used correctly or defensive pressure is insufficient, Murphy will make you pay with his IQ and his elusiveness as he scampers for six with a few jukes along the way.
Murphy’s quick release and extreme accuracy make it difficult for defenses to sustain success against such a powerful player. Southside can put up points, but I’m not certain they’ve played against as talented of a quarterback they’re going to see on their home field next week.
Bo Williams | 2024 | Running Back | Shiloh Christian
Hot Springs @ Shiloh Christian
The newest talent to top the talented list of running backs in Shiloh Christian lore, Bo Williams has rushed for more touchdowns for the legendary program than any other player who has sported the “SC”. This goes without saying accomplishing the accolade of being a 3,000-yard career rusher, just the second back in school history to achieve the honor.
What sets Williams apart is the feel he has for the game amid the teeth of the defense. It seems Williams truly stays in control of his surroundings and moves players around the field like pawns on a chess board to set up defenders for his next move. Once at the second level, Williams has an innate ability to hit the cutback lanes that lead to green and large chunks of yardage, often turning the burners on and meeting his squad at the end zone.
Shiloh Christian, when successful, leans heavily on the legs of this touted rusher, to beat the Trojans of Hot Springs this should be no different.
Austyn Dendy | 2024 | Running Back | Pine Bluff
Nettleton @ Pine Bluff
Austyn Dendy, a Mizzou commit, is as versatile of a running back as you’ll find throughout the state. Dendy has seen snaps on the numbers, in the slot, and the backfield, as he lines up all over the formation for Pine Bluff. He may be tallied as a running back but his hands resemble that of a wide receiver, plus his footwork transitions well to the receiver position as he makes would-be tacklers miss with his speed and swift cuts. Pine Bluff will be looking to make a trip to Little Rock at the beginning of December and Dendy’s production is what will get them there.
Isaac Wallis | 2024 | Defensive Lineman | Southside
Joe T Robinson @ Southside
Southside is making their first appearance in the 5A state playoffs and Isaac Wallis is a main catalyst. Wallis is a fiery player who is more than thrilled to play both sides of the ball for the Southerners. However, this Friday night his services are going to be needed more so on the defensive line as the Senators will have the advantage in the trenches. Wallis’ skill set can be useful against the large Senator offensive line because of his extreme quickness and strong hands that allow him to dispel blockers quickly and make momentum plays for the home team in the backfield. Southside must slow down the Senator’s attack and Wallis is the key to making it happen.
Brian Huff | 2024 | Linebacker | Valley View
Maumelle @ Valley View
Another Arkansas recruit committing to Missouri, Brian Huff plays linebacker at an elite level. With a 6-4, 225 frame there are immediate mismatches to be taken advantage of simply off of the sheer athleticism Huff possesses. Huff flies around the field looking for balls to jar loose and ball carriers to slam into the turf, but the attribute that sets Huff apart from others continues to be the fact he can position himself where the play is going to be. With his high IQ of the game itself and the study of film, Huff can put that film study into action with his play to limit the production of offensive plays near his side of the field.
Savion Hall | 2024 | Quarterback | Southside
Joe T Robinson @ Southside
Prep Redzone’s 5A game of the week calls for a fair amount of representation. The signal caller for the Southerners will be called to lead an offense to a minimal amount of turnovers and to pick up chunks of yardage in pressure situations. The Senator’s pass rush is lethal, pair this with a fantastic secondary then it’s easy to see how this defense can turn offenses into a panic.
Hall is calm, cool, and collected under pressure. He understands he has a great skill set with his legs that can lead to broken tackles and missed attempts altogether. His accuracy in the deepest parts of the fields is impressive and his decision-making on the fly in the Gun T RPO system is particularly noteworthy as he is quick-minded with decisions that need to be made in real-time.
Jalan Jointer | 2024 | Running Back/Linebacker | Maumelle
Maumelle @ Valley View
I caught Jalan Jointer in action earlier in the season during the non-conference portion of the schedule. After watching Jointer rip chunk gains off repeatedly, I could hear the opposite team’s fans, “Who is that running back? This guy is electric every time he touches the ball”. He is that and more. Jointer’s elusiveness is incredible as he bobs and weaves out of harm’s way into the open field with blazing speed.
Defensively, Jointer might be even better than he is offensively, and that’s saying a lot. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a linebacker with better lateral footwork and fundamental tackling skills in open-field situations. Frankly, this kid is a true football player, just great at what he does.
Braden Long | 2024 | Running Back | Harrison
Harrison @ Hot Springs Lakeside
Recently bringing in an offer from Bethel College and earning a visit to North Texas, Braden Long’s recruitment is picking up after showcasing his talents his senior season. Once the hole opens it doesn’t take Long very “long” to hit the turbo and bust through the gap for a big gain. In zone, stretch, and toss schemes Long gets north/south and busts up the field with little to no hesitancy as he shows a great focus on staying up field to gain yardage instead of running east/west.