2024 State Quarterfinals Top Performers: Offense

As we approach the end of the month of November, the 2024 high school football season has almost come to its end in the state of Kentucky. Last week, we had some very exciting state quarterfinal matchups. With that being said, I will be taking the next couple of days to focus on my top performers on each side of the ball from last week's action. To kick things off, here are my top performers from the state quarterfinals in the state of Kentucky on the offensive side of the ball.    [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 during Highlands' playoff run. He led his team to a victory last week over Pulaski County, completing 18/26 passes for 329 yards and four touchdowns. Litmer has a very strong arm which he uses to stretch the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown impressive ball placement, putting 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 definitely has the talent to play at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='340071' first='Deuce' last='Bailey'] is another quarterback who has been high on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out this past week. Bailey led the Purples to an impressive win over Atherton, completing 15/23 passes for 259 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. Deuce has a cannon for an arm which he uses to lead his receivers down the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown the ability to escape the pocket when needed while keeping his eyes down the field to make throws on the run. Bailey is committed to Missouri State where I can see him being their quarterback of the future.     Trevy Baber was Bailey's go-to receiver this past Friday. He finished the game with five catches for 95 yards and four touchdowns. Barber put his explosive speed on full display, showing the ability to blow by opposing defensive backs with ease in the deep passing game. He is also a very impressive route runner, using smooth breaks in his routes to create separation. Barber currently holds offers from Gardner-Webb, Troy, Eastern Kentucky, Austin Peay, and Miami (OH), and I expect more to come his way as he is a very talented wide receiver prospect.     [player_tooltip player_id='1584313' first='Cash' last='Harney'] is a player who caught my attention this past week with a very impressive performance. The junior quarterback led Covington Catholic to an impressive upset win on the road over a nationally-ranked Boyle County team. He was dominant as a ball carrier, running the ball 28 times for 234 yards and two touchdowns. Harney was very successful running the read option, using his speed and elusiveness when keeping the ball to break away for big gains in the open field. As a passer, Harney completed 3/4 passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Cash doesn't currently hold any offers but he should be a player to continue to keep an eye on.     [player_tooltip player_id='331734' first='Kade' last='Elam'] is another quarterback who stood out to me in the state quarterfinals. He led Corbin to a dominant victory over Ashland Blazer, completing 9/12 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Kade has a great feel for pressure, showing the ability to escape the pocket when necessary while keeping his eyes down the field to make tough throws on the run. He has also shown the arm strength to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Kade was also dominant in the run game this past week, running the ball 11 times for 81 yards and four touchdowns. Elam is committed to play baseball at Louisville but is still an exciting quarterback to keep an eye on throughout the remainder of the playoffs.     [player_tooltip player_id='331764' first='Jarren' last='Johnson'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and continued to stand out last week. He led Union County to a very impressive win on the road over Hart County. Johnson lined up at quarterback but did most of his damage as a ball carrier, finishing the game with 23 carries for 283 yards and four touchdowns. Jarren was able to showcase his explosive speed which he used to run away from the defense on long runs once he hit the open field. He also showed the strength and contact balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride. Johnson also completed 6/7 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown, and accounted for five tackles on defense. Jarren currently holds an offer from Kentucky Wesleyan and I can see more coming his way as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level.     [player_tooltip player_id='1175799' first='Luke' last='Ballard'] has had a very impressive junior season and continued to assert his dominance this past Friday. Ballard played a huge role in Great Crossing's win over Barren County, rushing for 323 yards and four touchdowns. Luke displayed his strength as a ball carrier, showing the ability to keep his legs churning through contact to break tackles with ease. He also proved to have the speed to run away from the defense once he hit the open field. Ballard currently holds an offer from Kentucky State and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to be a productive running back at the next level.     To wrap up my offensive top performers from the state quarterfinals in the state of Kentucky, I have [player_tooltip player_id='735732' first='Chase' last='Flaherty']. Flaherty played a key role in Beechwood's dominant win over Martin County, running the ball 11 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns. Chase is an elusive ball carrier, showing the ability to make moves in the open field and change direction quickly to make defenders miss in the open field. He also has shown the strength to break tackles with ease and speed to run away from the defense on long runs. Chase doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who deserves some attention from college coaches.

As we approach the end of the month of November, the 2024 high school football season has almost come to its end in the state of Kentucky. Last week, we had some very exciting state quarterfinal matchups. With that being said, I will be taking the next couple of days to focus on my top performers on each side of the ball from last week's action. To kick things off, here are my top performers from the state quarterfinals in the state of Kentucky on the offensive side of the ball.