5A Second Round Standouts: Offense

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The second round of the 5A playoffs delivered big-time offensive performances as playmakers across the state stepped up under postseason pressure. From explosive stat lines to clutch, drive-sustaining plays, these athletes rose to the moment when it mattered most. Here are the top offensive standouts from Round 2.</h2>    The top-ranked 2028 running back in the state put together a dominant outing, racking up 25 carries for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He's an explosive playmaker with natural ball-carrier instincts, showing quick acceleration through the line and the lateral agility to navigate traffic with ease. His vision consistently allows him to identify cutback lanes, and once he finds daylight, he has the breakaway speed to finish drives in the end zone. His early recruiting profile continues to rise, holding offers from Idaho, Sacramento State, and SMU.      Linares capped off a strong sophomore season with 705 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns on just 92 carries, showcasing his efficiency and reliability. In the second-round matchup against Desert Mountain, he continued that momentum, piling up 124 yards and a touchdown on 20 tough carries. A hard downhill runner, Linares maintains excellent leverage and pad level, allowing him to power through contact. His leg drive and balance make him difficult to bring down, slipping tackles and consistently falling forward for extra yards. A young back with a physical running style and plenty of upside.     Career night for the Notre Dame WR taking 7 receptions for 219 yards and 3 touchdowns. He repeatedly ran by coverage with well timed route running and deceptive speed then broke tackles to finish in the endzone. He's a smooth route runner that is quick in an out of his breaks. He's confident at the catch point and attacks the ball in the air.     22 carries for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Now has 1,287 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns on the season.     Took 6 carries for 112 yards and a touchdown then added one reception for 27 yards and touchdown through the air. On the season, he's got 742 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns. One to watch.     The freshman continues his breakout season finishing with 130 yards on 16 carries. On just 80 carries this season he's got 802 yards and 9 touchdowns. At 5'11” 175 lbs. he's a physical, downhill back who hits the gap with speed, combining aggression and acceleration to consistently get north-south and pick up tough yards. Strong foundational skillset and good upside to build on going forward.   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/DylanBrush2029/status/1991199182737023426 </div></figure>     Meyer threw 44 times completing 27 for 423 yards and 4 touchdowns leading Marana to a 34-27 win over Yuma Catholic. He leads the state in passing with 3,435 yards and 39 touchdowns while completing 70% of his passes. Recently reopened his recruitment after decommitting from Jamestown.      Sharp took 6 receptions for 160 yards and three touchdowns. He's scored a touchdown in every game this season totaling 15 on the year. Possesses the long speed to stretch the field vertically and is quick in the short area to separate in the at the short/intermediate levels. Accelerates hard out of his stance for a good drive phase forcing DB's to transition early.     In the 37–21 win over Mountain Pointe, he delivered a monster performance, totaling 21 carries for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns, then adding 4 receptions for 130 yards and another score through the air. He's a complete back with a dynamic skill set—able to grind out tough yardage between the tackles or bounce outside and win with speed. He lowers his shoulder at the contact point to run through defenders and consistently falls forward. As a receiver, he's highly effective out of the backfield, creating mismatches and turning short throws into explosive gains. Dangerous in space, he combines strength and speed to be a difficult tackle for any second-level defender.     25 for 40 going for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns in the dominant 52-19 win over Campo Verde. Calm and composed in the pocket with smooth arm action. Throws with great touch being able to layer the ball over second level defenders but can also zip a one ball into a tight window on timing routes. Moves well in the pocket, stepping up to avoid the rush and extend the play.      He turned in a standout performance, completing 19 of 23 passes for 322 yards and 5 touchdowns. He throws a clean, well-placed ball with an efficient over-the-top release, staying in rhythm through his drop and while scanning the field. His active footwork in the pocket allows him to feel pressure, stay balanced, and work smoothly through his progressions. When the play breaks down, he shows the ability to improvise and create on the fly, adding an extra layer to his game.