2024 State Quarterfinals Players to Watch: 4A

<p>With the month of November moving quickly to its end, we are getting closer and closer to crowning state champions in each class in the state of Kentucky. As we head into the state quarterfinals this week, I wanted to focus on a player from each of the remaining teams in each class who has stood out in the playoffs so far and who I believe should be a player to continue to watch. With classes 5A and 6A already being covered, I'll now turn my attention to my players to watch in the state quarterfinals in class 4A in the state of Kentucky.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Franklin County vs. Bardstown</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1165218' first='Jeremy' last='Walters'] finished the regular season as Franklin County's leader in tackles and continued to impress in their first playoff game last week after their first-round bye. Walters lines up at middle linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys then flowing to the ball carrier in a hurry to make the tackle on the open field. Walters finished last week's win over Spencer County with seven tackles and two tackles for loss. He also showed the ability to rush the passer, finishing the game with a sack. Walters currently holds an offer from Midway and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1576951' first='Amonti' last='Marshall'] has been a key contributor on both sides of the ball for Bardstown this season. On offense, he is an electric ball carrier. He has explosive speed, which he uses to burst through the running lane with a sense of urgency then run away from the defense on long runs. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Marshall has carried the ball 34 times for 271 yards and five touchdowns. He has also caught one touchdown pass during the playoffs. On defense, Amonti lines up at linebacker where he has accounted for 11 tackles and one tackle for loss during their playoff run. Marshall currently holds a video from Madonna University and I can see more coming his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Paducah Tilghman vs. DeSales</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735547' first='Jack' last='James'] has made his case for being named the top quarterback in the state in his class this season. He has been very impressive through the first two rounds of the playoffs, completing 21/29 passes for 376 yards and nine touchdowns. James is a very good decision maker, showing the ability to scan the field and go through his progressions to find the open receiver. He also has impressive arm strength which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Jack is committed to Troy where I can see him becoming a very successful quarterback at the next level. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Da'Von Martin Jr. had a strong regular season and has carried that success into the playoffs. He is a very reliable receiver, showing the speed to pose as a dangerous threat in the deep passing game. Martin also has a high catch radius, showing the ability to go up and catch the ball at its highest point, regardless of what type of coverage is around him. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Martin has caught eight passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. He has also made an impact on defense at corner and is a dangerous returner on special teams. Da'Von currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky, Mount Union, and Mount Saint Joseph, and I could see more coming his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Boyle County vs. Covington Catholic</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='502745' first='Demauriah' last='Brown'] is a player who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. Brown has been electric out of the backfield during the first two rounds of the playoffs, running the ball 16 times for 304 yards and four touchdowns. He has blazing speed which he is able to use to hit a second gear once he gets through the line of scrimmage to run away from the defense. Brown has also shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. He also plays a key role on defense as a defensive back, accounting for 11 tackles and an interception during the playoffs. Demauriah currently holds offers from Ball State, Western Kentucky, Akron, and West Virginia, and I can see him being a key contributor wherever he decides to play at the next level. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">If Covington Catholic wants to have any chance to upset the Rebels they will need a big game from [player_tooltip player_id='1584315' first='Dylan' last='Gaiser']. Gaiser has been very impressive out of the backfield during their playoff run, carrying the ball 16 times for 271 yards and four touchdowns. He is a hard runner, showing the ability to keep his legs churning through contact while keeping his balance to break tackles without losing stride. Gaiser has also shown the speed to run away from the defense once he hits the open field. He has also made an impact on defense as a defensive back, accounting for nine tackles and two interceptions in the playoffs. Dylan doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who college coaches should have their eyes on. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Corbin vs. Ashland Blazer</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='331734' first='Kade' last='Elam'] is a quarterback who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. Elam has been very impressive during the first two rounds of the playoffs, completing 24/29 passes for 495 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kade has a strong arm which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown the ability to escape pressure while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Elam is committed to play baseball at Louisville but he is still at exciting quarterback to watch on the gridiron.</p>     <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 has continued to impress as a senior. Jennings is off to a hot start to the playoffs as a ball carrier, running the ball 27 times for 323 yards and three touchdowns in the first two rounds. He is dangerous once he hits the open field, showing the speed to run away from the defense and elusiveness to make defenders miss. Jennings has also caught four passes for 35 yards and a touchdown and has come away with one interception during their playoff run. Braxton currently holds 11 Division I offers and I can see him making a big impact wherever he ends up playing at the next level. </p>

With the month of November moving quickly to its end, we are getting closer and closer to crowning state champions in each class in the state of Kentucky. As we head into the state quarterfinals this week, I wanted to focus on a player from each of the remaining teams in each class who has stood out in the playoffs so far and who I believe should be a player to continue to watch. With classes 5A and 6A already being covered, I'll now turn my attention to my players to watch in the state quarterfinals in class 4A in the state of Kentucky.