Moments That Echo: The Playoff Titans of Round 2

Round 2 of the playoffs was even more exciting than round 1. The stakes are higher as we progress closer to the state championship weekend. Let's dive into some players who elevated their respective teams into wins !    The 6'4 210-pound quarterback threw 2736 for 346 yards with a 75% completion and 3 touchdowns. Duhachek has a great connection with WR [player_tooltip player_id='760059' first='Noah' last='Meurer'] who had 183 of those yards and 3 TDs. He has very good throw power. Launching it effortlessly and accurately downfield all night long. Very quick release and demonstrated very good accuracy at all 3 levels this game. Good pocket presence, staying poised or rolling out of the pocket to throw on the run. Very good throwing on the run both left and right. Snappy hips. Duhachek is also one of the best off-platform throwers in the state. He has good progression speed and will find the open man. Great performance by the senior he leads Arvada West into round 3.     Coyle continues to be a defensive presence for Palmer Ridge. The 5'10 160-pound running back/ strong safety had 8 tackles, 1 rushing touchdown, a forced fumble, and a pass breakup. Very good speed, acceleration, jumping, and change of direction. As a safety, he's all over the field, from a deep zone to run support. Very good read and reaction speed. Very good tackling. He had two touchdown saving tackles this game. He lays the boom and stripped the ball to create the fumble. Coyle extended out his arm to make the pass breakup. As a running back, he has very good vision and very good outside running. He turns the corner and goes. Great performance by the senior who is looking to continue balling out against Broomfield.     Rubenzer had a great performance against Grand Junction. He had 7 carries for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. He has good athletic ability due to very good speed, balance, good change of direction and balance. Very good inside running. He gets behind the offensive line in short yardage situations. Pick, slides, and accelerates into the open gap. Good jump cuts. Rubenzer has strong legs to churn forward and drag multiple defenders with him. Defenders slide off him and he consistently gets yards after contact. Rubenzer will extend his arms and gain extra yardage to get the 1st down. Great performance by the junior.     Burke was electric all night for Legend. The 6'0 165-pound CB/WR/K had 4 receptions for 222 yards with 1 touchdown, 4 tackles (all solo), 1 INT, 6 KO for 340 yards with 3 touchbacks, 3 punts for 143 yards (inside the 20 3 times), 4/4 on PAT. He is an athlete, and was on kick returns earlier in the season. Very good athletic ability due to elite acceleration, very good speed, stamina, change of direction, and jumping. As a receiver, he has very good release and separation quickness. He beats the DB with his speed. Very good ball tracking and catching on both sides of the ball. Burke has strong hands to come down with fingertip catches. Any time he has the ball in his hands, he's got a chance to score. Very good vision to glide through the field easily. On defense, he's a ball hawk. Smooth back pedal and very good man coverage. Stride for stride with the receiver. Very good read and reaction speed. Very good blitz take off on edge. Burke has very good kick power and accuracy as well! I'm thoroughly impressed with his ability to impact the field on all 3 phases. He is a dog.     Bennett Battaglia was a crucial factor in the win against Pine Creek. The 6'1 205-pounds linebacker had 8 total tackles (2 solo, 6 assisted), and 2 TFL. Good athletic ability due to very good speed, good acceleration, lateral quickness, change of direction, and jumping. He has very good range going from sideline to sideline or into his zone responsibility. Very good competitive toughness. He consistently helps his teammates finish tackles or runs to make the play. Bennet Battaglia is a stout run stopper. This downhill linebacker uses his good strength paired with very good get off speed and block shedding to get behind the line of scrimmage. Very good tackling. Keep an eye out for him next round !

Round 2 of the playoffs was even more exciting than round 1. The stakes are higher as we progress closer to the state championship weekend. Let's dive into some players who elevated their respective teams into wins !