Five Two-Way Difference-Makers Who Took Over Week 1

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Statistics can show how productive a player was, but true two-way performers affect much more than one section of the box score. These five prospects produced touchdowns, turnovers, tackles, and explosive plays during the opening week of the 2026 season. Their ability to stay on the field and change games in multiple roles makes each one an important name to follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brady Guegold, RB/LB, Lucas — 2027</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brady Guegold opened his senior season by delivering one of Ohio's most complete two-way performances. The 6-foot, 190-pound running back carried the football 19 times for 174 yards and three touchdowns during Lucas' 29-13 victory over Steubenville Central Catholic. Defensively, he added 10 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble. Guegold runs with the physical mentality expected from a linebacker, getting downhill quickly, finishing behind his pads, and consistently falling forward through contact. That same aggressive approach shows up on defense, where he diagnoses plays quickly and attacks the ball carrier rather than waiting for the action to reach him. Guegold earned third-team All-Ohio recognition after rushing for 1,129 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior while also leading Lucas with 76 tackles. His Week 1 production was an extension of an already proven two-way résumé.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Gavin Miller, LB/ATH, Ontario — 2027</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gavin Miller showed his versatility during Ontario's 35-7 victory over Lexington. Miller registered 10 tackles and two tackles for loss on defense while also throwing a touchdown pass and rushing for 64 yards and another score. He earned third-team All-Ohio recognition at linebacker in 2025 and continues to display good instincts around the football. Miller closes space quickly, plays with physicality, and can move through traffic to finish tackles. Offensively, his athleticism allows Ontario to use him in specialty packages and create mismatches. His ability to run, pass,s and handle defensive responsibilities makes opposing coaches account for him throughout the game. Miller may primarily project as a linebacker, but his offensive production further demonstrates his movement skills and overall football intelligence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='1637442' first='Cartae' last='Ligon'], RB/DB, Chillicothe — 2028</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1637442' first='Cartae' last='Ligon'] began his junior season in the same dominant fashion that defined his 2025 campaign. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries during Chillicothe's 34-0 victory over Circleville. He also returned an interception 73 yards for another score and recorded eight tackles. Ligon combines a strong frame with the sudden acceleration needed to create explosive runs. He can work between the tackles, bounce outside when the edge opens, and separate from defensive backs in the open field. As a sophomore, Ligon rushed for more than 2,000 yards, scored 29 total touchdowns,s and earned Frontier Athletic Conference and Southeast District Offensive Player of the Year honors. His defensive upside makes his overall projection even more interesting, as he has the range, ball skills and physicality to develop at safety while remaining one of Ohio's premier 2028 offensive playmakers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Brayden Burns, QB/DB, Southeastern — 2027</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Brayden Burns impacted nearly every part of Southeastern's 28-0 victory over Fairfield Christian. The senior completed four of seven passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns while adding 57 yards on the ground. Defensively, Burns intercepted three passes, tying the school's single-game record. Burns made his passing opportunities count, averaging more than 50 yards per completion and allowing Southeastern to score without needing long, methodical drives. His three interceptions may have been even more impressive, as he demonstrated anticipation, awareness,ss and the ability to finish plays when the football entered his area. Quarterback and defensive back require an understanding of route concepts from opposite perspectives. Burns' experience at both positions helps him recognize coverages offensively and anticipate a quarterback's intentions defensively.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='488482' first='Brice' last='Johnson'], RB/DB, Zane Trace</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='488482' first='Brice' last='Johnson'] handled a massive workload during Zane Trace's opening-week victory and remained productive on both sides of the football. Johnson carried the ball 22 times for 220 yards and five touchdowns, tying his own school record for scores in a game. He also contributed six tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery defensively. As a runner, Johnson shows the patience to allow blocks to develop before accelerating through the opening. Once he reaches the second level, he possesses the vision to avoid pursuit and turn solid gains into touchdowns. His defensive production demonstrated his instincts and willingness to remain involved away from the ball, with both an interception and a fumble recovery reflecting a player who consistently finds himself near the action. Johnson's combination of offensive workload, scoring production,n and defensive value made his performance one of the strongest overall efforts in the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->