2024 Midseason All-State Teams: 5A Offense

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we near the end of the month of September, he have reached the halfway point in the 2024 high school football regular season in the state of Kentucky. With that being said, I wanted to take a look back at some of the top players of the first half by releasing my Midseason All-State teams in each class. After covering 6A, I will now turn my attention to class 5A, starting with the offensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283958"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5ba4131bc0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='283958' first='Cam' last='O'Hara'] has continued to establish himself as one of the top players in the entire state, regardless of class. He is off to an outstanding start to his junior year, leading 5A in passing, completing 83/124 passes for 1,291 yards, 20 touchdowns, and zero interceptions through five games. O'Hara throws an impressive deep ball, showing the ability to use his arm strength to lead his receivers down the field. He has also shown impressive accuracy, putting the ball where his intended receiver can catch it in stride. Cam has also scored three rushing touchdowns so far this season. O'Hara currently holds multiple Division I/Power 4 offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a very talented quarterback prospect.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["401923"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5c9743496c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401923' first='Markezz' last='Hightower'] is a running back who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out so far this season. Through the first five weeks, he is the leading rusher in 5A, running the ball 97 times for 873 yards and 12 touchdowns. Hightower has impressive vision, showing the ability to find the running lane then hit it in a hurry once it opens. Once he hits the open field, Markezz has the speed to run away from the defense on long runs. He has also caught one touchdown pass so far this season. Hightower doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should definitely have their eyes on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["331736"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5caed9e513"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='331736' first='Isaiah' last='Johnson'] is another player who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. He is off to a strong start to his senior year, catching 24 passes for 468 yards and 10 touchdowns in five games. Johnson does a great job of creating separation, whether it be using his speed in the deep passing game or smooth breaks in his routes to find an opening in the secondary. He is also impressive after the catch and is a dynamic athlete, showing the ability to catch passes at their highest point with ease. Isaiah currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Indiana State, Army, and Thomas More, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I caliber wide receiver prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["212337"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5cb530c5bf"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='212337' first='Trevy' last='Barber'] is off to a very strong start to his junior year. Through five weeks, Barber is the leading receiver in 5A, catching 28 passes for 518 yards and seven touchdowns. Barber has explosive speed which he is able to blow by opposing defensive backs in the deep passing game. He is also an impressive route runner, using quick breaks in his routes to create separation. Trevy currently holds offers from Gardner Webb, Austin Peay, Troy, Miami(OH), and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he is a Division I/Power 4 caliber talent. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["871288"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5d50407cb5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='871288' first='Kingston' last='Dillard'] is a player who is off to a very impressive start to his high school career. He is his team's leading receiver through five games, catching 25 passes for 437 yards and three touchdowns. Dillard is a dangerous deep threat out of the slot, using his speed to blow by opposing defensive backs with ease. He is also very impressive after the catch, using his speed and elusiveness in the open field to pick up big gains. Kingston doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player that I expect a lot of college coaches to have their eyes on over the next four years. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1507937"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5d50407d47"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I've decided to add [player_tooltip player_id='1507937' first='Niles' last='Board'] as an ATH selection on this team as he's done a little bit of everything for Apollo this season. Board is his team's leading receiver, catching 18 passes for 345 yards and five touchdowns in four games. He is electric with the ball in his hands in the open field, using his speed and elusiveness to break away for a big play at any given moment. Board has also ran the ball 20 times for 87 yards and four touchdowns, and returned one kickoff and a punt for touchdowns. He is currently third in 5A in scoring. Niles also makes an impact on defense, accounting for 17 tackles, five tackles for loss, half a sack, and one interception so far. Board doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect some to come his way soon as he has received some college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["283977"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5d7c681825"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='283977' first='Max' last='Merz'] is an offensive lineman who I had high expectations for coming into this season and he has lived up to them so far. Merz lines up at guard where he is dominant in the run game. He does a great job of exploding out of his stance and driving his man down the field with ease. Max finishes his blocks with a ton of physicality, resulting in frequent pancake blocks. He is also reliable in pass protection, showing the ability to keep a strong base and protect his inside gap. Max is committed to Louisville where I can see him developing into a key piece of their offensive line unit once he gets there. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1149577"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5d7c681879"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1149577' first='Cameron' last='Bell'] is an offensive lineman who is off to a strong start to his senior year. Bell lines up at right tackle where he is very reliable in pass protection. He has great footwork and a strong punch which knocks edge rushers off balance very frequently. Cameron is also dominant in the run game, showing the ability to drive his man down the field with ease. Bell currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play for a Division I program. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["378828"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5d8ca55101"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='378828' first='Brady' last='Hull'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. Hull lines up at left tackle where he is a force as a run blocker. He explodes out of his stance and plays with a high motor, showing the ability to keep his feet running through contact to drive his man several yards down the field. Hull is also impressive in open space, showing the ability to get to the second level in a hurry and pick up blocks in the open field. Brady currently holds offers from Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, and Miami (OH), and I expect more to come his way as he is a high-caliber prospect with three years to continue to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["500073"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f5db74560ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">To wrap up my Midseason 5A All-State Offense, I have [player_tooltip player_id='500073' first='Justyn' last='Perez']. Justyn lines up at right tackle where he is a mauler in the run game. He explodes out of his stance and drives his man down the field with a sense of urgency. Perez does a great job of finishing his blocks through the whistle, resulting in several pancake blocks. He also does a good job of getting to the second level quickly and picking up blocks in the open field. Perez currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky and I expect more to come his way as he continues to develop. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Honorable Mention </h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Quarterback: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340071' first='Deuce' last='Bailey'] (Bowling Green, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='331739' first='Bryce' last='Button'] (South Warren, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='373794' first='Kanyon' last='Johnson'] (Madisonville-North Hopkins, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Running Back: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1323010' first='Mike' last='Curry'] (Atherton, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='1200633' first='Kadin' last='Hanshaw'] (Grayson County, 2027); [player_tooltip player_id='262300' first='Kasen' last='Brock'] (Pulaski County, 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wide Receiver: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='735686' first='Harris' last='Denmyer'] (Pulaski County, 2025); [player_tooltip player_id='1160659' first='Lincoln' last='Acree'] (Graves County, 2025)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Offensive Line: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='317589' first='Connor' last='Blevins'] (Pulaski County, 2028)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->