2024 State Quarterfinals Players to Watch: 5A

<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 class 6A already being covered, I'll now turn my attention to my players to watch in the state quarterfinals in class 5A in the state of Kentucky.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">South Warren vs. North Bullitt</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='331739' first='Bryce' last='Button'] has continued to prove that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the state this season. He is off to a hot start through the first two rounds of the playoffs, completing 32/43 passes for 421 yards and five touchdowns. Button has a cannon for an arm which he uses to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He also has a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to escape the pocket when needed while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Button is committed to Eastern Michigan where I can see him being a productive quarterback at the next level. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1584330' first='Hunter' last='Puckett'] is a player who has caught my attention during North Bullitt's impressive playoff run. Puckett is a key play maker in the North Bullitt offense, showing the ability to play out of the backfield as a ball carrier and out wide at receiver. He showed his ability in the open field last week against Grayson County, catching a pass and taking it 51 yards for a touchdown. Puckett has also rushed for ten yards and thrown one touchdown pass during the playoffs. He has also made an impact on defense at linebacker, accounting for 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one interception during their playoff run. Hunter doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to keep an eye on. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Bowling Green vs. Atherton</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175815' first='Malik' last='Coburn'] has been the leader of the Bowling Green defense during their playoff run so far. He lines up at defensive end where he is dominant against the run. Coburn does a great job of reading the play then shedding blocks quickly and using his speed to get to the ball carrier to make the tackle before they can get going. Through their first two playoff games, Coburn has accounted for 25 tackles and five tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to rush the passer, coming away with 2.5 sacks so far during the playoffs. Coburn doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and has the talent to play at the next level. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1323010' first='Mike' last='Curry'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to stand out this season. Curry has been very impressive out of the backfield through the first two rounds of the playoffs, running the ball 50 times for 415 yards and three touchdowns. Mike is an elusive ball carrier, using his vision to find cut back lanes then 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 on long runs. Curry has also accounted for four tackles and one tackle for loss on defense during their playoff run. Mike is committed to Eastern Illinois where I can see him being a key contributor in their offense. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Cooper vs. Southwestern</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='373821' first='Austin' last='Alexander'] has continued to prove that he is one of the best players in the entire state this season. He lines up at defensive end where he is a very dominant pass rusher. Alexander has shown the he has the speed to blow by opposing offensive tackles and the strength to bull rush straight through them on his way to the quarterback. Through the first two rounds of the playoffs, Alexander had two sacks. He has also shown the ability to stop the run, accounting for 16 tackles and five tackles for loss. Austin has also made an impact on offense at tight end during their playoff run, catching seven passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander is committed to North Carolina where I can see him developing into a productive member of their defense. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='876429' first='Antajuan' last='Dumphord'] has been a huge addition to an already talented Southwestern team this season. On offense, Dumphord lines up at receiver where he has shown the explosive speed to pose as a dangerous deep threat. In the first two rounds of the playoffs, Dumphord has caught five passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns. He has also accounted for three tackles and an interception on defense. Antajuan currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Thomas More, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to play at the next level. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Highlands vs. Pulaski County</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401922' first='Mario' last='Litmer'] is a quarterback who has been high on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. He has gotten off to a great start in the playoffs, completing 22/33 passes for 409 yards and four touchdowns through the first two rounds. Litmer has a very strong arm which he is able to use to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He also puts a nice amount of touch on his passes, showing the ability to place the ball where only his intended receiver can catch it. Mario doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and should definitely be a player to continue to watch. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='971569' first='Zakary' last='Anderson'] is another quarterback who has continued to stand out this season. He has been very impressive during the first two rounds of the playoffs, completing 11/20 passes for 399 yards and six touchdowns. Anderson has a very 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 tough throws on the run. Anderson has also scored one rushing touchdown during their playoff run. Zakary doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a quarterback who college coaches should be paying close attention to. </p>    <p></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 class 6A already being covered, I'll now turn my attention to my players to watch in the state quarterfinals in class 5A in the state of Kentucky.