2022 Statewide Top Performers: Week 5

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"15px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:15px">Another week has come and gone, and the 2022 high school football regular season is in full swing. The fifth week of the season provided us yet another week full of outstanding performances. While it was hard to narrow down, these are the top ten performances in the state of Kentucky that stood out in week five.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["324205"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='324205' first='Jacob' last='Jones'] is a player that I've had very high on my radar for a while now as he is our top ranked quarterback in the class of 2023. He continued to impress this past week with arguably the top performance in the entire state. Jones had a huge performance against Ashland Blazer, throwing for 352 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 287 yards and seven touchdowns. As a passer, he showed great mechanics in his quick release. He also showed impressive accuracy all over the field, putting the ball where only his receiver could get to it. Jones was equally impressive as a ball carrier, showing the speed to run away from the defense and elusiveness to make defenders miss in the open field. He also showed that he has the strength as a ball carrier to run through tackles without breaking stride. Jones currently holds offers from Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, Fairmont State, and Pikeville, and I believe more Division I offers should come his way as he is a very special talent.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_1_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='483870' first='Dalton' last='Carter']","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"2410","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"West Jessamine","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_1_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_1_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"Next up on my list is the young man on the receiving end of Jones' passes. [player_tooltip player_id='483870' first='Dalton' last='Carter'] has been the go-to target for Jones all season and continued to impress this past Friday, finishing with 278 receiving yards and a touchdown. Carter lined up mainly in the slot and used his quickness to create separation in his routes in the short passing game. He was also able to use his speed to run by defenders in the deep passing game. After the catch, Carter used his speed in the open field and elusiveness to turn short passes into long gains. While Dalton doesn't currently hold any official offers, I expect them to come before his senior season is over as he has been receiving college interest and has the talent to play somewhere at the next level.","_player_evaluations_1_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_2_player":["324208"],"_player_evaluations_2_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_2_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_2_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='324208' first='Christian' last='Combs'] is another 2023 quarterback that we've had high on our radar at Prep Redzone Kentucky as he is our ninth ranked quarterback in the class. Combs put on quite a show this past week in an overtime win over Meade County, throwing for 354 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 107 yards and three touchdowns. He has a strong arm with the ability to place the ball down the field where only his receiver can get to it. Combs also has an impressive ability to make throws on the run. When everything breaks down in the passing game, Combs has the speed to tuck the ball and make plays on the ground as a ball carrier. Christian currently holds offers from Morehead State and Saint Francis, and I expect more to come as he has been receiving a ton of college interest and has the talent to be a successful quarterback at the college level.","_player_evaluations_2_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_3_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"Santana Crayton","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"Pleasure Ridge Park","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_3_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_3_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"Santana Crayton is a name that has recently jumped onto my radar. He is an electric play maker that played a key role in PRP's blowout victory over DeSales this past week. Crayton finished the game with four total touchdowns on the day. He is an offensive weapon as he is used both in the backfield as a ball carrier and at receiver. As a ball carrier, he had three carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. Once he gets the handoff, he hits the hole in a hurry and is very shifty in the open field, making defenders miss on numerous occasions. At receiver, he caught a screen pass and was able to catch the ball and turn up the field, and use his speed to run away from the defense for a 62-yard touchdown. Crayton made his biggest impact on special teams, using his speed and elusiveness in the open field to return two punts for touchdowns. Santana doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to watch over the next two seasons as he has the potential to be a special play maker at the next level.","_player_evaluations_3_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_4_player":["313643"],"_player_evaluations_4_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_4_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_4_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='313643' first='Cole' last='Hodge'] is our top ranked quarterback in the class of 2024 and he continued to show why this past Friday. Hodge put on a show against Owensboro Catholic, completing 23/28 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Hodge showed impressive patience as a passer, keeping his eyes down the field and going through his progressions to find the open receiver. Once he found his target, he showed a great amount of zip on the ball with the ability to fit the ball where only his receiver had a chance to catch it. He also showed the ability to escape pressure and use his speed and elusiveness to pick up yards as a ball carrier. Hodge currently holds offers from Eastern Kentucky and Central Michigan, and I expect that list to grow as he is a true Division I talent at quarterback.","_player_evaluations_4_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_5_player":["381942"],"_player_evaluations_5_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_5_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_5_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"For the second time this season, [player_tooltip player_id='381942' first='Jaxson' last='Shoulders'] cracks my top performers list. Shoulders continued to make a big impact on defense at linebacker, finishing the game with 15 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. He showed a great ability to read his keys and take good angles to get to the ball. Once he got to the ball carrier, Shoulders showed that he is a very good open field tackler. Shoulders also made a huge impact on offense as a tight end, catching four passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He showed great route running ability, creating separation in the breaks in his routes. Shoulders was also able to catch the ball at its highest point in tight coverage. After the catch, Shoulders showed the speed to turn up the field and pick up extra yards. Jaxson doesn't currently hold any offers but he is a player to watch over the next two seasons as he has the skill set to play multiple positions at the next level.","_player_evaluations_5_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_6_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='460010' first='Austin' last='Howard'] ","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"2023","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"6'1u0022","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"2411","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"Lewis County","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_6_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_6_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"An unknown player to me that stood out this past Friday was senior [player_tooltip player_id='460010' first='Austin' last='Howard'] from Lewis County. Howard was dominant on both sides of the ball, running the ball 23 times for 260 yards and six touchdowns while also finishing the game with 15 tackles and two interceptions. As a ball carrier, Howard has great vision and bursts through the hole once he sees an opening. Once he hits the second level, he has the ability to make cuts to make defenders miss but also has the speed to run away from the defense. On defense, he lines up at safety and does a great job of filling the lane to provide run support. He also has the ability to break on passes at the perfect timing and use his ball skills to come away with interceptions. Austin currently holds an offer from Kentucky Christian but I can see more coming before the end of the season as he has the talent to play somewhere in college.","_player_evaluations_6_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_7_player":["417460"],"_player_evaluations_7_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_7_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_7_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='418572' first='Zah'Ron' last='Washburn'] is off to an impressive junior year so far and is showing that he deserves to move up in our rankings. He continued on that upward trend Friday, rushing for over 230 yards and a touchdown in a huge win over La Salle (OH). Washburn bursts out of his stance and comes downhill in a hurry through the hole. Once he hits the open field, Washburn shows a great ability to make cuts on the dime to make defenders miss. He also has shown the strength to run through tackles and the speed to run away from the defense. Washburn currently holds an offer from Eastern Kentucky but I expect more to come as he is a special talent at running back and has been a key piece to a very successful season for Manual so far.","_player_evaluations_7_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_8_player":["438173"],"_player_evaluations_8_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_8_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_8_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='438173' first='Brach' last='Rice'] is another player that is making my top performers list for the second time. He put together another dominant performance on defense, finishing with 20 tackles (15 solo) and four tackles for loss against Covington Catholic. From the inside linebacker spot, Rice did a great job of reading his keys and exploding out of his stance to get to the ball. He was able to shoot through his gap and get into the backfield before opposing offensive linemen had a chance to block him. Once he got to the ball carrier, he made his presence felt, finishing tackles with a ton of physicality. Rice also made an impact as a pass rusher, timing his blitzes perfectly to shoot through his gap and put pressure on the quarterback. Brach doesn't currently hold any offers but I expect them to come soon as he has been receiving a ton of college interest already.","_player_evaluations_8_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations_9_player":["385964"],"_player_evaluations_9_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_9_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_9_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='385964' first='Austin' last='Anderson'] is an offensive lineman that I've had high on my radar for a while as he is our fourth ranked OL and 24th overall player in the class of 2023. While his team came up short to a very talented Boyle County team, Anderson had a very impressive performance. Anderson was tasked with blocking one of the best players in the state/Kentucky commit and did an outstanding job. He had 30 dropbacks and allowed zero sacks while also helping the Purples finish with 400 yards of total offense. Anderson showed a ton of physicality, knocking the defender back with his initial punch. He also showed the ability to pull from the guard spot and pick up blocks in open space. Anderson also played a key role on defense, finishing the game with 12 tackles. Austin is committed to Liberty and I expect him to be a very good player for them once he gets there.","_player_evaluations_9_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":10,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-637c4d33bac2e"} /-->