2024 State Quarterfinals Players to Watch: 6A

<p>With the month of November moving quickly to its end, we are getting closer and closer to crowning state champions in each class in the state of Kentucky. As we head into the state quarterfinals this week, I wanted to focus on a player from each of the remaining teams in each class who has stood out in the playoffs so far and who I believe should be a player to continue to watch. With that being said, I'll kick things off with my players to watch in the state quarterfinals in class 6A in the state of Kentucky.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Ryle vs. Central Hardin</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='401710' first='Jacob' last='Savage'] has been one of the driving forces in Ryle's impressive playoff run so far, especially in last week's eye-opening win over St. Xavier. Through two playoff games, Savage has been very impressive out of the backfield, running the ball 29 times for 254 yards and four touchdowns. Savage is a hard runner with the contact balance to break tackles with ease without losing stride while also showing the burst of speed to run away from the defense on long runs. He has also continued to make an impact on defense at linebacker, accounting for 18 tackles for loss and one tackle for loss during the playoffs. Jacob currently holds offers from Georgia Tech, Miami (OH), Ohio, Indiana, Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky, and I expect more to come his way as he has the talent to play for a Power 4 program. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1576959' first='Seth' last='Laudermilt'] is a player who has caught my attention during Central Hardin's successful playoff run. They will be relying on a big game for him if they want to pull off the upset over Ryle as he has been a key piece of their offense as a ball carrier. He has shown the ability to break off big runs at any given moment and has a true nose for the end zone. Through two playoff games, Laudermilt has carried the ball 36 times for 350 yards and four touchdowns. He has also played a key role on defense, accounting for 14 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a sack during their playoff run. Seth doesn't currently have any offers listed but he is a player who college coaches should have their eyes on. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Great Crossing vs. Barren County</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1175799' first='Luke' last='Ballard'] is a player who had a strong regular season and his success has carried over into the playoffs. In their two playoff wins, Ballard has been dominant out of the backfield, carrying the ball 47 times for 271 yards and three touchdowns. Luke is an explosive downhill runner, showing the ability to hit the running lane with a sense of urgency then hit a second gear to run away from the defense on long runs. He has also shown the ability to make defenders miss and break tackles in the open field. Ballard has also caught two passes for 75 yards and a touchdown during the playoffs. Luke currently holds an offer from Kentucky State and I expect more to come his way as he definitely has the talent to play at the next level. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='735614' first='Tate' last='Spillman'] has done a little bit of everything for Barren County this season. He has done a solid job as a passer throughout the playoffs, completing 16/26 passes for 265 yards and two touchdowns. Spillman has a strong arm which he has been able to use to stretch the field in the deep passing game. He has also shown true dual-threat ability, running the ball 46 times for 68 yards and a touchdown during the playoffs. Tate has also made an impact on defense at safety, accounting for 18 tackles during their playoff run. Spillman doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player who deserves some attention from college coaches. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Trinity vs Ballard</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Last season, [player_tooltip player_id='374785' first='Zane' last='Johnson'] led Trinity to a 6A State Championship as a freshman. He is looking to do the same this year and is off to a strong start in their first two playoff games, completing 14/21 passes for 295 yards and four touchdowns. Zane is an accurate passer, showing the ability to hit his receivers out of their breaks so that they can make catches in stride. He has also shown the arm strength to stretch the field in the deep passing game. Johnson doesn't currently hold any offers but he has received some college interest and should be a player to continue to keep an eye on as he continues to develop. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">If the Ballard defense wants to slow down Johnson and the high-powered Trinity offense, they will need [player_tooltip player_id='1149637' first='Amarein' last='Atkinson'] to lead the way. Atkinson lines up at inside linebacker where he is very reliable against the run. He does a great job of reading his keys then using his speed to get to the ball carrier and make the tackle before the opposing offensive line has a chance to block him. Through their first two playoff games, Atkinson has accounted for 21 tackles and three tackles for loss. He has also shown the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, coming away with two sacks during their playoff run. Amarein doesn't currently hold any offers but he definitely has the talent to play somewhere at the next level. </p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Frederick Douglass vs. Madison Central</span>:</h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='373826' first='Peyton' last='Smith'] has been a tremendous addition to an already dangerous Frederick Douglass offense this season. While he has seen limited action in the first two playoff games due to being pulled early during blowout wins, he has been productive when on the field, running the ball six times for 75 yards and three touchdowns. Smith has very explosive speed which he uses to hit the running lane with a sense of urgency then simply run away from the defense on long runs. He has also shown the elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. Peyton is committed to Eastern Kentucky where I can see him developing into a key player in their offense once he gets there. </p>     <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1252793' first='Bryant' last='Mathis'] is a player who has been on my radar for a while now and has continued to impress this season. The senior running back has been one of the driving forces of the Madison Central offense during their playoff run so far, running the ball 23 times for 164 yards and five touchdowns. Bryant has impressive speed which he uses to hit the running lane with a sense of urgency and run away from the defense once he hits the open field. He has also shown the ability to keep his legs churning through contact to break tackles and pick up extra yards with ease. Mathis currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Midway, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more come his way as he has the talent to be a productive running back at the next level. </p>

With the month of November moving quickly to its end, we are getting closer and closer to crowning state champions in each class in the state of Kentucky. As we head into the state quarterfinals this week, I wanted to focus on a player from each of the remaining teams in each class who has stood out in the playoffs so far and who I believe should be a player to continue to watch. With that being said, I'll kick things off with my players to watch in the state quarterfinals in class 6A in the state of Kentucky.