5A Crest vs Hunt Players To Watch

This matchup has all the ingredients for a full-scale offensive explosion. Both teams bring elite quarterback play, dynamic run games, and playmakers who can flip momentum instantly. With two high-powered offenses and defenses that will be stressed from kickoff to final horn, expect a true shootout.    [player_tooltip player_id='1144640' first='Ely' last='Hamrick'] is the definition of a big-game quarterback. The senior powered Crest last week with a near-flawless performance — 13-of-18 for 229 yards and 2 TDs, plus 55 rushing yards and another score. Three total touchdowns in a semifinal stage show exactly who he is: poised, efficient, and willing to take over when the moment demands it.   For Crest to keep pace in what should be a high-scoring shootout, they'll need this same level — or an even higher level — of production from Hamrick. His ability to push the ball vertically and extend plays with his legs makes him one of the most important players on the field Saturday.     [player_tooltip player_id='1154024' first='Namajay' last='Thompson'] is the kind of route runner that keeps secondaries up at night. At over 6 feet tall and around 200 pounds, he's built like a running back but moves with the precision of a technician. Last week he posted 4 catches for 72 yards, and two of those grabs went for touchdowns, showcasing both his physicality and his ability to separate in high-leverage moments.   Thompson is a true mismatch — too strong for DBs who want to press and too polished for defenders who try to play him soft. In what should be a shootout, he's a prime candidate for a big breakout performance if Crest struggles to match his blend of size, power, and route-running savvy.     Malachi Gamble might be the piece that tilts this championship matchup. The junior back delivered 127 total yards and 1 TD last week, flashing the blend of speed and strength that makes him such a dangerous complement to Crest's passing attack. He hits creases with burst, breaks arm tackles, and gives Crest the ability to control tempo when defenses sell out to stop the pass.   In a game expected to be an offensive shootout, Gamble's versatility could be the difference. If he gets rolling early — catching out of the backfield or ripping chunk runs — Hunt's defense will have to pick its poison, and that's where Crest becomes nearly impossible to slow down.     Junior edge rusher Khalil Clark put together one of the most impressive defensive performances of semifinal weekend, finishing with 8 tackles and 2 sacks. Clark plays with a relentless motor and a physical edge that shows up on every snap. He's explosive off the line, bends well for his age, and consistently forces quarterbacks off their spot.   In a game where both offenses are expected to light up the scoreboard, Clark's ability to create negative plays could be huge. One timely sack or pressure from the 2027 standout might be the spark Crest needs to steal a possession in what projects to be a shootout.     [player_tooltip player_id='1953755' first='Mez' last='Harris'] is one of the most dynamic two-way athletes in the entire 5A field. The junior quarterback does it all — and last week he proved it again with 110 yards passing, 76 yards rushing, and a game-sealing interception on defense. When the lights get bright, Harris elevates. He's tough, explosive, and fearless with the ball in his hands, and his ability to impact the game from multiple positions makes him a nightmare to prepare for.   Harris has the rare ability to put the entire game on his shoulders, whether that means creating explosive plays on offense or closing the door on defense. If Hunt needs a spark — or a closer — expect No. 1 to answer the call.     [player_tooltip player_id='1970795' first='Doryan' last='Jones'] is the definition of a complete back — powerful, quick, and explosive in space. He runs through contact, hits the edge with real burst, and can catch the ball naturally out of the backfield. In last week's semifinal, Jones posted 98 yards and 1 TD, once again showing he can carry the workload when Hunt needs him most.   With his ability to run between the tackles, bounce outside, and hurt defenses in the passing game, Jones is a legitimate MVP candidate in this 5A championship. If the game turns into the shootout many expect, don't be surprised if Jones becomes the steady force — and the spark — that keeps Hunt trading blows for four quarters.     [player_tooltip player_id='1106602' first='Judah' last='Harris'] has been one of the most impressive linebackers in the entire state this season, and he showed why again in the semifinals with a dominant 18 tackles and 2 sacks. He plays fast, physical, and with a relentless motor that sets the tone for Hunt's entire defense. Harris diagnoses quickly, arrives with pop, and has the rare ability to create momentum-swinging plays from the second level.   If Hunt wants to walk out of Durham with a championship, Harris will need another double-digit tackle, impact-play performance. He's the defensive anchor — and the one player on the field who can flip a drive, a quarter, or an entire game with a single read and burst. His game-changing ability is undeniable.     Sophomore standout Nicholas Bynum is quickly becoming one of the most dominant young defenders in the state. His semifinal performance was unreal — 20 tackles and 2 sacks — proving he has the motor, toughness, and instincts to wreck an entire game plan. Whether he's aligned at linebacker or coming off the edge, Bynum plays with a suddenness that makes blocking him a major challenge.   If Crest can't account for him, he could live in the backfield all afternoon. In a matchup expected to feature explosive offenses, Bynum is the kind of defender who can steal possessions, force mistakes, and completely change the flow of the game.

This matchup has all the ingredients for a full-scale offensive explosion. Both teams bring elite quarterback play, dynamic run games, and playmakers who can flip momentum instantly. With two high-powered offenses and defenses that will be stressed from kickoff to final horn, expect a true shootout.