5A First Round Game Balls: Top Performers from Opening Weekend

<!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The 5A playoffs kicked off with plenty of big-time performances as teams battled to keep their seasons alive. From clutch offensive playmakers to defensive game wreckers, several athletes stepped up under the bright lights and delivered when it mattered most. Here are the standout performers earning our first round game balls.</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='286018' first='Julian' last='Hainley'], 2026, QB, Cienega – </strong>In the 49–35 win over Cienega, he delivered a high-level dual-threat performance, completing 17 of 25 passes for four touchdowns while adding 50 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground. He showcased poise as a passer, efficiency in the short and intermediate game, and the athleticism to finish drives with his legs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JulianHainley14/status/1987686953874239519","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JulianHainley14/status/1987686953874239519 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jaden Rodgers, 2026, WR, Cienega – </strong>The Idaho State commit put on a show Friday night, hauling in six receptions for 189 yards and two touchdowns. He consistently stretched the field and came up with timely explosive plays that fueled his team's offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nate Jones, 2027, RB/DE, Notre Dame – </strong>Took 17 carries for 247 yards and three touchdowns in the 49-20 win over Maricopa. In the last three games that he has played RB he's totaled 474 yards and 8 touchdowns. Also has 84 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks on the year at this primary DE position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1190653' first='Gunnar' last='Perry'], 2027, ATH, Notre Dame – </strong>Perry was a two way playmaker in the win taking 12 carries for 129 yards and 3 touchdowns and adding 7 total tackles on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/Gunnar_Perry44/status/1988370395154792940","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Gunnar_Perry44/status/1988370395154792940 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='739458' first='Jose' last='Polk'], 2026, RB, Yuma Catholic – </strong>In the 35-28 upset over Millennium, Polk carried the offense with 141 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 101 yards and another touchdown through the air.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://twitter.com/JoseJRPolk2/status/1987358676831867192","type":"rich","providerNameSlug":"twitter","responsive":true} --> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/JoseJRPolk2/status/1987358676831867192 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401159' first='Donivan' last='Dixon'], 2026, QB, Cactus Shadows – </strong>The dual-threat QB led Cactus Shadows to a 56-35 win over Tucson with over 500 yards of total offense. Threw for 346 yards and five touchdowns on 22 of 32 and then added 159 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 6 carries on the ground.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davion Ross, 2026, LB, Cienega – </strong>Ross continues his outstanding season with 15 total tackles in the first round win over Sunnyslope. He now has 110 tackles on the season with 12 tackles for loss on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Andrei Davis-Lopez, 2026, DE, Cienega – </strong>Finished with 3 sack and 4 tackles for loss in the 49-35 win over Sunnyslope. Has been disrupting opposing offenses all season with 30 tackles for loss and 24 sacks on the season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401164' first='Jake' last='Jones'], 2026, DL, Campo Verde – </strong>The Washington State commit was dominant in the 24–14 win over Verrado, racking up seven tackles (four solo) and delivering three sacks. His constant backfield pressure set the tone defensively and proved to be a key factor in the victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Drake Davis, 2028, RB, Mountain View – </strong>The sophomore continued his breakout season in the 27-8 win over Buena. Took 19 carries for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the season, he has 1,423 yards rushing with 12 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->