Mercer County defeats Taylor County 31-22

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mercer County (1-0) kicked off week one of high school football action this past weekend in Harrodsburg, taking down Taylor County (0-1) by a final score of 31-22 on Saturday night. After trailing 22-17 to the Cardinals in the third quarter, the Titans locked in on both sides of the ball in the final quarter of play, muscling into the endzone twice in final minutes. After the impressive season-opening win, here's my list of the top performers on Mercer County and Taylor County to keep an eye on as the 2023 campaign progresses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["943482"],"_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_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e658029ec82"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the top of my list of notable standouts is [player_tooltip player_id='943482' first='Thaddeus' last='Mays'], a 5-foot-8, 165-pound quarterback at Mercer County High School. At the helm of the Titans' offense, Mays helped keep Mercer County alive in the air and on the ground, throwing for nine completions out of 15 attempts for 121 yards and one touchdown. Mays also ran for a gain of 31 yards and one score. Mays impresses with his quick execution off the snap and ability to quickly connect with his receivers. Another aspect of Mays that stands out is his strong footwork, ability to deceive the defense and his electric speed. Mays proved in week one that he can both make smart passes and beat the defense with his legs as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["313671"],"_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_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e658029ecf7"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another high-level player to watch out for is [player_tooltip player_id='313671' first='Kaden' last='Smith'], a 6-foot-1, 210-pound linebacker at Taylor County High School. Smith was a crucial component of the Cardinals' defense last Saturday, leading the team with a total of 10 tackles, including five solo stops, five assisted takedowns, six tackles for loss and four sacks. In addition to solid size, speed and athleticism, what stands out about Smith is his ability to exert his strength to be disruptive, create pressure and read the offense like a book. Smith also made a difference in week one with his ability to overpower the offensive line and make important stops.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Aiden McKinney","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'9u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mercer County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e658029edba"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Claiming the number three spot on my list is Aiden McKinney, a 5-foot-9, 235-pound defensive lineman at Mercer County High School. McKinney was a gamechanger on the defensive side of the ball last Saturday, picking up a total of 18 tackles, including three solo stops, 15 assisted takedowns, two tackles for loss and one sack. McKinney was locked in thoughout four quarters, blasting the Cardinals' offensive playmakers with his physicality and defensive toughness. What stood out most about McKinney was his awareness, quickness off the snap and his ability to shut down offensive production.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["373826"],"_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_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e658029ee18"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I am additionally impressed with [player_tooltip player_id='373826' first='Peyton' last='Smith'], a 5-foot-11, 190-pound running back at Taylor County High School. Smith was a challenge to contain in week one of the season, putting up 169 yards and two touchdowns on 18 rush attempts. Smith additionally hauled in four receptions for 34 yards. What I like about Smith is his toughness and fearlessness in the pocket as he can absorb hits and break tackles on his way to the endzone. Smith has solid footwork and can deceive the defense off the snap with his ability to use bursts of speed to maneuver the field and stay on his feet even under pressure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Denim Griffieth","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2024","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'7u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2408","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mercer County","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64e658029ef03"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming in at number five on my list of standouts is Denim Griffieth, a 5-foot-7, 150-pound running back at Mercer County High School. Griffieth made a big difference offensively, making 15 rush attempts for a pickup of 79 yards as well as one touchdown. Griffieth additionally hauled in an interception and returned in 38 yards to the house. Griffieth stood out in week one due to his overall explosiveness and playmaking ability on both sides of the ball. In addition to outstanding versatility, what makes Griffieth so efficient is his physicality in the pocket and down the stretch. Griffieth also impressed me with his defensive awareness and ability to read the opposing offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->