Offensive Fireworks: Week 9’s Most Electrifying Performances

Week 9 had a plethora of exciting performances. Offenses were zipping across Colorado. There were wide receivers and running backs with multiple touchdowns. Quarterbacks seizing the big moment. Everybody was eating this past week. I selected a handful of players who balled out, and deserve recognition.    Neto showcased his skills on both sides of the ball against Eaglecrest. As a WR, The 5'11 170-pound senior had 7 receptions for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a DB, he had 2 tackles, and one interception. Neto has very good athletic ability due to elite acceleration, very good speed, change of direction, and good jumping. He's got a good release, and is very fluid while running the routes. Very good catching and ball tracking skills. Plucks the ball out of the air. For example, he came back to make the catch on an underthrown ball. He puts his hands underneath to secure it. After the catch, he uses his home run speed to blaze past the 2nd and 3rd levels of the defense. He has a very good spin move, making defenders miss out in open space. As a DB, he was stride for stride with the WR. He's a hard hitter and used his receiving skills to grab an interception. Neto is a baller, and colleges need to be aware.     Frasier showed why he deserves to be in the top echelon of running backs in Colorado. The 6'0 190-pound junior ran for 161 yards on 19 carries paired with 2 receptions for 17 yards. Frasier has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, and balance. His balance stands out to me, because when he started to stumble, he'd regain composure. He used his good vision to diagnose the holes and gash the defense for a big gain. Frasier thrives in contact, and puts his shoulder down to truck through defenders. Nasty stiff arm as well. He's got good catching out of the backfield. He'd extend his arms out to make the catch, tuck the ball in his sternum and go. His pass protection is an underrated part of his game. Frasier uses his good blocking skills to give his QB more time in the pocket. He's only a junior, but Arapahoe has a good one on their roster.     Campbell showed out last Thursday against the Rampart Rams. The QB/SS had 9 carries for 227 yards and 4 touchdowns. As a safety, he had 3 tackles ( 2 solo, 1 assisted). Campbell didn't do damage with his arm, it was all through his legs. He has very good athletic ability due to very good speed, acceleration, good change of direction, and good balance. Campbell has good mental processing, and diagnosed whether to give the ball off to the RB or not with the read option. He uses dynamic cuts at the line of scrimmage, making defensive lineman miss. Campbell uses his very good vision to identify the holes, and find himself a path while weaving through defenders. He uses his homerun speed to run past the defense. He doesn't shy away from physicality. He will put the shoulder down to create contact, using his good trucking to run over defenders. He brings that same mindset to the defensive side. Campbell comes down from his deep zone and makes a hard hit on the running back. Great performance by the athlete.     Trujillo made the most of each reception. The 6'1 200-pound senior had 5 receptions for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. Trujillo has good athletic ability due to very good acceleration, good speed, and good change of direction. He has a good release at the line of scrimmage against off coverage, and press jam. He fights through contact against press jam too. He has good separation quickness due to his athletic ability and mental processing. Trujillo uses his very quick feet to adjust on the fly to his route. On a comeback route, he used his shifty feet creating himself open. He has good catching especially in traffic. Goes up, extends over the defensive back to secure it. After the catch, he uses his very good body control to make an emphasis on keeping both feet in bound next to the sideline. I was impressed with how he made the most of each opportunity, and he should end up on colleges radar with his performances week in and week out.     Riehl is still dominating. Against Doherty, he went 25/40 for 354 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 7 carries for 55 yards on the ground. Riehl has very good throw power, and can make all the throws asked of him. Throughout the game, his very good mental processing was on display. Riehl would go through his progressions finding the open man. If no one was open, he'd check it down to his receiver, throw it out of bounds, or run for a first. He thrives under pressure. With defenders in his face, he stays unphased and launches it. Riehl has very good accuracy and ball placement. He adds a touch to his throws. His deep ball stands out the most to me. Very good accuracy on the run, especially rolling out left. For example, he spun out of a sack, kept running, and launched it 30 yards downfield to the open man in the endzone. Riehl has good athletic ability due to good speed and acceleration to gain yards on the ground. Riehl is one of the top quarterbacks in the state, and colleges NEED to look at him. He'll be a contributor at any college level.     Dooley balled out with Riehl throwing him the ball. The junior had 4 receptions for 96 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dooley has very good athletic ability due elite acceleration, change of direction, and very good speed and jumping. When he has the ball, he is electric. Makes defenders miss using dynamic cuts. Looks like he is gliding across the field. Dooley has very good release against both off coverage and the press jam. He uses his elite acceleration and quick feet to get the jump on the defensive back. He creates separation using his athletic ability, blazing past the DB. He has very good catching too. He'll pluck the ball out of the air, and jumps up for the contested catch. One aspect that stood out to me, is how he will keep going back to his QB during the scramble drill. After the catch, he uses his home run speed and very good change of direction to run past the defense and make them miss. He's a baller, with a ton of potential.     Pagano is an underrated back who deserves more recognition. The 5'9 175-pound senior had 29 carries for 151 yards and 3 touchdown. Once the ball is in his hands, he is gone. He has very good athletic ability due to elite acceleration, speed, very good change of direction, and good balance. He can stop and pivot on a dime, causing defender's ankles to break. Pagano hits the hole with a head full of steam, and uses his very good vision to run through the offensive line. Due to his smaller size, he gets lost in the shuffle of things, allowing him to sneak through. Pagano isn't easy to tackle. Defenders slide off of him, and he uses his powerful legs to drive forward. He's a hidden gem out in Monument, Colorado.

Week 9 had a plethora of exciting performances. Offenses were zipping across Colorado. There were wide receivers and running backs with multiple touchdowns. Quarterbacks seizing the big moment. Everybody was eating this past week. I selected a handful of players who balled out, and deserve recognition.