2024 KY Week 8 Top Performers: ATH

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head deeper into the month of October, we have now made it through eight weeks of high school football in the state of Kentucky. This has been an exciting football season and Week 8 was no exception with many impressive performances. While there was a lot of talent on display this past week, some players still find a way to stand out above the rest. After already covering the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, here are my top performing ATH from Week 8 in the state of Kentucky who made an impact at multiple positions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["971505"],"_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-67118ba578595"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971505' first='Dameyn' last='Anness'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this past week. He played a key role on both sides of the ball in Ludlow's win over Trimble County. On offense, he was very impressive out of the backfield, carrying the ball four times for 159 yards and four touchdowns. Anness has the explosive speed to run away from the defense along with the elusiveness and strength to make defenders miss and break tackles. He also played a key role on defense at linebacker, finishing the game with seven tackles and three tackles for loss. Dameyn doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to watch over the next two seasons. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["735731"],"_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-67118df02f489"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735731' first='Braxton' last='Jennings'] is another player who has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress this past week. He played a huge role in Ashland's Week 8 win over Boyd County. Jennings had an outstanding game as a ball carrier, running the ball 11 times for 102 yards and three touchdowns. He is a very elusive back, showing the ability to find cut back lanes and make moves in the open field to make defenders miss. Jennings has also shown the speed to run away from the defense on long runs. Braxton also caught three passes for 19 yards and made an impact on defense at strong safety, finishing the game with 4 tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception. Jennings currently holds several Division I/Power 4 offers and I expect more to come his way as he is a high-caliber prospect. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176977"],"_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-6711afdb96e4a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1176977' first='Jordan' last='Pendleton'] is a player who caught my attention with a strong performance last Friday. He played a huge role in Bellevue's dominant win over Dayton. Jordan was very impressive out of the backfield, running the ball 11 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Pendleton showed the ability to use his speed to get to the outside in a hurry and get up the field to run away from the defense. He also displayed the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Jordan also returned one punt for a touchdown and finished the game with eight tackles. Pendleton doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to keep an eye on over the next couple seasons. </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":"Landon Smither","_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":"190","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Eminence","_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-671287ad7c62b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Landon Smither is a player who jumped onto my radar with a very impressive performance last Friday in Eminence's win over Frankfort. Smither made a huge impact on offense as a running back, carrying the ball 20 times for 138 yards and five touchdowns. He is a strong runner, showing the contact balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride. Smither also caught one pass for 23 yards. He also made an impact on defense at linebacker, leading his team with 12 tackles along with half a tackle for loss and half a sack. Landon currently holds an offer from Otterbein and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["371230"],"_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-671287ad7c684"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='371230' first='Daulton' last='Tarter'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to impress last week. He played a key role on both sides of the ball in Bracken County's dominant win over Gallatin County. On offense, Tarter served as his team's lead back, carrying the ball 11 times for 181 yards and three touchdowns. He is a physical runner, showing the ability to run straight through defenders without losing stride. Tarter has also shown the speed to run away from the defense on long runs once he hits the open field. Daulton also made a huge impact on defense at linebacker, finishing the game with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions, returning both of them for touchdowns. Tarter doesn't currently hold any offers but he is definitely a player who college coaches should be playing close attention to. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["943538"],"_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-671287ad7c6c5"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='943538' first='Jax' last='Niece'] is another player who has been on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out last week. He was very impressive out of the backfield in Estill County's win over Powell County, running the ball 27 times for 244 yards and five touchdowns. Niece is an elusive ball carrier, showing the ability to make moves in the open field to make defenders miss. He has also shown the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the second level. Jax also caught two passes for 44 yards and a touchdown, and made an impact on defense at linebacker, finishing the game with nine tackles. Niece doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should keep an eye on during his senior year. </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":"[player_tooltip player_id='1577083' first='Clayton' last='Shaddix']","_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":"5'8u0022","_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":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Great Crossing","_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-671287ad7c745"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1577083' first='Clayton' last='Shaddix'] is a player who jumped onto my radar with an impressive performance last Friday. He played a key role on both sides of the ball in Great Crossing's win over Simon Kenton. On defense, Shaddix lined up at outside linebacker where he was very impressive against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys then using his speed to flow to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle. Shaddix finished the game with 18 tackles and one tackle for loss. On offense, Shaddix was impressive out of the backfield, running the ball eight times for 84 yards and three touchdowns. Clayton doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to watch this season. </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":"Vincent Smith","_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":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"160","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Middlesboro","_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-671287ad7c7c3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">My final top performing ATH from Week 8 in the state of Kentucky is Vincent Smith. Smith was dominant out of the backfield in Middlesboro's win over Pineville, finishing with 21 carries for 266 yards and four touchdowns. He is a hard runner, showing the contact balance to break tackles without losing stride. Smith has also shown the speed to break away from the defense on long runs. Vincent also made a big impact on defense at linebacker, finishing the game with 11 tackles and one tackle for loss. Smith doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to keep an eye on this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->