Horizon’s Game-Changers in a Thrilling Rivalry Shootout

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Thursday night, the Horizon Huskies stepped onto the field against their rival, the Pinnacle Pioneers, in a matchup that had many football fans buzzing with anticipation. This clash between two high-powered offenses featured explosive plays all night. Unfortunately for Horizon, scoring 51 points while putting on a special teams masterclass wasn't quite enough to secure a win. Even in a losing effort, several players really showed up and showed out in this rivalry game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">A Quarterback Duel for the Ages</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["954411"],"_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-66f351c73e2d6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">After seeing the amount of work that [player_tooltip player_id='954411' first='Jase' last='Ashley'] put in over the offseason, he was a player that I thought could really light up the stat sheet in his senior season. So far, he's exceeded my expectations by far. Playing some of the most mature football that I've watched from a high school quarterback in quite some time, Ashley already has as many touchdown passes through four games as he did through ten last season. Currently averaging over 260 total yards per game while completing 62% of his passes, he's holding a 5:1 TD-to-INT ratio and is on pace to finish the year with 25 touchdowns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Heading into this matchup against Pinnacle, I have no doubt that Ashley knew he was going to have to put on an impressive performance to keep up with their high-powered offense. He seized the opportunity to show the state just how high-powered his own offense is. Without his top-tier running back for the majority of this contest, Ashley finished the game an astonishing 22-31 for just under 300 yards and four scores through the air. His quick feet and even quicker delivery made it hard for a good Pinnacle pass rush to get Ashley on the ground, who added another touchdown with his legs. He showed great command of the offense all throughout the night. Willing to take what the defense was giving him, but knowing when he had the chance to push the ball downfield —&nbsp;the senior quarterback consistently made good decisions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/jaseashley15/status/1837214606231752747","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/jaseashley15/status/1837214606231752747 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Art of Special Teams</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Horizon's special teams unit had themselves a phenomenal day all around, and they all deserve a pat on the back for their performances. Both kick-off and kick return ,in particular, consistently put their own offense in great field position while often forcing Pinnacle to start drives from deep in their own territory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jordan Partridge","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"170","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Horizon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f351c73e3a0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jordan Partridge is electrifying to watch with the ball in his hands. Clearly his coaching staff knows it too, doing a great job of game planning to make sure he touches the ball in a multitude of different ways throughout a game. Even though he had both a receiving and a rushing touchdown in this rivalry matchup, I feel he truly left his biggest impact on special teams. Not only did he have 163 kick return yards, but after getting 103 of those on the first two kick returns alone, Pinnacle was scared to kick the ball his way —&nbsp;which often resulted in good starting field position for the Huskies. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16727855/66ee66b76a228a6eb46aabdc' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f3d5c9a4fa3"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Ryker Floyd","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2441","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Horizon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f351c73e427"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">While Partridge was setting up the offense in good field position with kick returns, Ryker Floyd completed the perfect storm by frequently pinning Pinnacle deep in their own end, both on kickoffs and punts. Averaging 57 yards a kickoff, his touch was on full display all night as he consistently put the ball around the goal line with high-arching kicks. His accuracy with both types of kicks was incredibly impressive, and maybe none more than his 47-yard punt that put Pinnacle on their own 2-yard line. Floyd's strong leg and remarkable hangtime gave Horizon's return team plenty of time to cover his kicks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Offensive Playmakers Galore</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Adem Wagner","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'11u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"175","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Horizon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f351c73e4a2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Not the biggest of wideouts at 5'11" 175 lbs, what Adem Wagner lacks in size, he makes up for and then some by being a complete receiver. Clearly someone who spends lots of time working on the fundamentals of his game, he consistently does all the little things right. Those little things all add up to one impressive wide receiver who has no problem winning one-on-one matchups on the outside. A shifty pass catcher, Wagner can be really difficult to bring down in the open field — one of the major reasons he finished the game averaging 24 yards a catch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16726750/66f07dacbf133c47ecf6c4c5' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f3d5c9a5037"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["368916"],"_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-66f3b693cdff4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='368916' first='Jax' last='Markovich']'s performance may not look like much from a quick skim of the box score, but he made much more of an impact than those numbers would suggest. Coming up huge (both literally and figuratively) when it mattered most, the 6'5" tight end's only two catches on the day both came in the endzone. Being that tall, weighing 230 lbs, being able to move as fluidly as Markovich can, and having incredibly reliable hands makes him an offensive coordinator's dream from his pass-catching abilities alone; but that doesn't even factor in how effective he is in the run game. Helping create lanes for his running backs, you can see that he truly cares about blocking and doesn't treat it as an opportunity to rest. Markovich truly is the total package at the tight end position. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Huskies' Defensive Standouts in Heartbreaking Loss</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["368945"],"_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-66f351c73e4e2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='368945' first='Jackson' last='Murray'] is an absolute handful, even for the best interior linemen in the state. Facing a 6'4" 290 lb guard for much of the night, Murray's combination of speed and strength was just overpowering. He does a great job of making sure to play the rush first and not run past the ball carrier on his way to an empty-handed quarterback. A smart player with a high motor, he'd often sniff out screens and chase them all the way to the sideline if need be. That kind of all-around effort from someone who's as dominant as he is when it comes to getting to the quarterback isn't something you see every day. Play after play Murray would reach into a deep bag of tricks and pull out different pass rush moves; none of which the Pioneers' offensive line seemed to have an answer for. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16741702/66edf7d0136bd181ba8d5887' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f3d5c9a508d"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Beau Caliendo","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'2u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"195","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2496","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Horizon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f3b693ce0b5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Playing outside linebacker for Horizon, I'd imagine Beau Caliendo doesn't usually spend as much time in coverage as he had to against the pass-heavy Pinnacle attack. You'd never know by watching him out on the field. Tasked with staying with some really agile slot receivers, Caliendo has some impressive speed for someone his size. That size also really helped him in coverage as his long arms seemingly draped over receivers and made it difficult for them all night. Using that speed to help all over the field in the run game too, Caliendo showed just how versatile of a backer he can be. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Nathan Senior","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2025","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"185","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Horizon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-66f3b693ce134"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It didn't matter which side of the ball Nathan Senior lined up on, either way, he was facing a tall task on Thursday night to fight against both of Pinnacle's tackles. Each of them 6'0" 255 lbs or bigger and possessing some nice footwork, Senior made both of them work to match his speed and effort on each and every play. He did a great job of taking the right angle so that he could peel off of blocks and attack the ball carrier. When the quarterback dropped back to pass, he would often mix up his rushes and ended up getting the elusive Horton on the ground twice in this matchup. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->