This is the most fun part of the year for us, we get to recognize outstanding performances from players. We name an Offensive, Defensive and Wildcard player of the year for freshman newcomers, sophomores, and upper classmen. The wildcard can be an offensive player, defensive player or special teams player, at the discretion of the editing and selection team.
Congratulations to all of our winners!
Freshman Offensive player of the year:
Koa Dietrich from Mullen High School. We rarely ever see freshmen start on varsity and on the rare occasion that we do, it tends to be a bit of a trainwreck either from a performance standpoint or from a internal politics standpoint. Koa had neither. We already profiled his play style and super powers so we will stick more to facts here. He’s not big per say at 5’10” and 165 lbs, but his combination of throwing talent and running ability let him dominate this year.
Athletic Profile and Performance:
Koa’s freshman year statistics are nothing short of impressive. Over the course of 11 games, he has accumulated a total of 2,207 passing yards, with an average of 200.6 yards per game. His completion rate stands at 57.3%, with 145 completions out of 253 attempts. Koa has thrown 22 touchdown passes, averaging 2 touchdowns per game, while maintaining a quarterback rating of 103.6. Credit has to also go to his offensive line as his time to throw was well above average. That being said, time to throw doesn’t always equate to success (we wont throw anyone under the bus from say another *cough 5A powerhouse). He made the most of his opportunities and looked awesome doing it.
In addition to his passing prowess, Koa has also contributed significantly to the team’s rushing game. He carried the ball 45 times, gaining 226 yards, which translates to an average of 5.0 yards per carry and 20.5 yards per game. Koa found the end zone twice on the ground, further underscoring his dual-threat capability.
Total Yards Contribution:
Combining his rushing and passing efforts, Koa has amassed a total of 2,433 yards for the Mullen Mustangs. His average yards per game is an impressive 221.2, showcasing his ability to consistently drive the team forward and contribute significantly to their offensive output.
Impact on Team Performance:
Koa Dietrich’s contributions as a freshman have been pivotal to the Mullen Mustangs’ performance. His ability to execute plays, whether through the air or on the ground, means the Mustangs have a very nice 3 years ahead of them.
Freshman Defensive Player of the Year:
Jackson Roper, from Regis Jesuit High School. First of all, he is massive. Sometimes teams exaggerate height and weight but man, he is every bit as big as they list him at. Standing at an impressive 6’5″ and weighing 235 lbs, Jackson’s physical attributes alone make him a standout player. However, it’s his performance on the field that truly highlights his potential and contribution to the Raiders’ defense.
Defensive Contributions:
Throughout the season, Jackson participated in 10 games, where he demonstrated a consistent ability to disrupt the opposition’s offense. He recorded a total of 25 tackles, averaging 2.5 tackles per game. This includes 13 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles, showcasing his ability to both independently halt plays and work effectively with teammates.
Jackson’s impact extends beyond traditional tackling, as evidenced by his 3 tackles for loss (TFL). This statistic not only reflects his ability to read plays but also his penetration skills that result in negative yardage for the opposing offense. We would add that if “RB pressures” was a stat, he would be in double digits. No kidding.
Quarterback Pressure:
An essential aspect of Jackson’s game is his ability to pressure the quarterback, which is a critical component of any defensive lineman. Over the season, he accumulated 1.5 sacks and was credited with 3 quarterback hurries. These numbers, while not overwhelming, indicate Jackson’s growing prowess in breaking through offensive lines and disrupting passing plays. We were pretty sure we saw 3 QB hurries in the one game we watched so it wouldn’t be surprising if he didn’t have significantly more than that.
Forced Turnovers and Defensive Plays:
Jackson also contributed to the Raiders’ defensive efforts by forcing a fumble, and while pass deflections aren’t tracked by most high schools it wouldn’t surprise us if he had some given his size in the passing lane.
Looking Forward:
There isn’t much more to say except, its scary how powerful he could be by the time he is a senior.
Sophomore Offensive Player of the year:
Brady Vodicka from Cherry Creek. Here is the thing; we have said it over and over again. The best predictor of success for QBs passing wise at the next level is accuracy. Brady is exactly that. He throws the ball as hard and accurate as anyone. At 6’2″ and 215 lbs, Brady combines size with athleticism but quite frankly, we don’t like watching him run, we like to see him throw the ball!
Sophomore Season Overview:
During the season, Brady played in 14 games, where he put on quite the show, as we expected him to. He completed 169 of 245 attempts, resulting in a completion rate of 69%. This accuracy led to 2,331 passing yards, averaging 166.5 yards per game. Brady’s arm strength and precision were on full display, as evidenced by his 25 touchdown passes, averaging nearly 1.8 touchdowns per game. His longest pass of the season went for 63 yards, and he maintained an impressive quarterback rating of 128.1.
Run When Needed:
He did what we like to see pro style QBs do: run when needed. While only averaging 2.7 yards per carry, he scored 4 rushing touchdowns. The main thing is that he has the mobility to escape pressure where needed. And lets be honest, he’s plenty big enough to run over a guy or two.
Impact on Team Performance:
Cherry Creek is always going to be a competitor. They perpetually have a great line and receiving corps but its rare to have a sophomore QB that is at the center of it all. As far as Creek went this year I see them continuing to be that sort of threat, especially with Brady under center for the next few years.
Looking Ahead:
Brady’s achievements in his sophomore year set a high bar for his future in high school football. His growth and development over the past season has been fun to watch and no doubt he is one of the best HS QB prospects in the state.
Sophomore Defensive Player of the year:
Jaxon Pyatt, from Arvada West High School. has quickly become a key figure in the Wildcats’ defensive lineup. If we were going to use one word to describe him on the field it would be “Scary.” He is an absolute beast. One minute he is being patient and then explodes through the hole into the backfield, the next he is bull rushing and knocking over a tackle. Don’t believe us? Go watch his highlights.
Sophomore Year Performance:
In his sophomore year, Jaxon participated in 10 games, where he demonstrated exceptional defensive capabilities. He amassed a total of 99 tackles, with an impressive average of 9.9 tackles per game. This includes 55 solo tackles and 44 assists, showcasing his ability to consistently engage and bring down opponents.
Jaxon’s impact on the field is further highlighted by his ability to disrupt the backfield, as evidenced by his 17 tackles for loss (TFL). This statistic not only underscores his knack for reading plays but also his penetration skills that result in significant losses for the opposing offense.
Quarterback Pressure and Defensive Plays:
An integral part of Jaxon’s game is his ability to apply pressure on the quarterback. Throughout the season, he recorded 4 sacks and contributed to 10 quarterback hurries. These numbers reflect his effectiveness in breaking through offensive lines and his role in disrupting passing and rushing plays alike.
In addition to his prowess in tackling and sacks, Jaxon has shown a keen eye for forcing turnovers. He caused 2 fumbles, underlining his ability to create game-changing plays. While he did not record any interceptions, his presence on the field has been felt in every game, with 4 pass deflections contributing to the Wildcats’ defensive efforts.
Overall Impact:
Jaxon’s contributions in his sophomore year have been significant for the Arvada West Wildcats. Actually thats not accurate. He is at the CENTER of everything they do on defense. His comprehensive defensive performance, characterized by high tackle counts, sacks, and forced turnovers, is undeniable but he is even more dominant than his already great stats show. His ability to disrupt plays and his physical presence on the field might be unmatched by any other linebacker in Colorado.
Looking ahead, we don’t have much else to say except, how much more of a beast can this guy become?
Upperclassman Offensive Player of the year:
Austyn Modrzewski, of Mountain Vista. We have written about him before but he is absolutely the prototypical outstanding QB. He’s tall. He has a cannon. He’s accurate. Standing at 6’5″ and weighing 198 lbs, he is exactly what you think of when you think “D1 QB.”
Career Overview:
Over three seasons, Austyn has accumulated a total of 8,504 passing yards, with a completion rate of 68.1% (615 completions out of 903 attempts). His quarterback rating over this period averages 118.4, reflecting his efficiency and effectiveness in the quarterback position. Austyn has thrown 90 touchdown passes, averaging 2.6 TDs per game, and has kept his interceptions to a minimum, with only 28.
Junior Year Performance:
In his junior year, Austyn played 12 games, throwing for 3,675 yards with a completion rate of 70.3%. He averaged 306.3 yards per game, with his longest pass reaching 71 yards. This season saw him throw 41 touchdown passes, averaging 3.4 TDs per game, and maintaining a quarterback rating of 128.0. His performance not only demonstrates his arm strength and accuracy but also his ability to read defenses and make decisive plays. The main point here is that he was even better than he was in his outstanding sophomore season.
Looking Ahead:
Austyn Modrzewski’s performance through his junior year sets a high bar for his senior season. As mentioned earlier its his accuracy that really sets him at the top. Physical attributes, check. Arm strength, check. Accuracy check. He is our current pick for top QB recruit in Colorado, and for good reason.
Upperclassman Defensive Player of the year:
Landen Holloway, from Denver East High School. Landon is far from the biggest middle linebacker Standing at 5’10” and weighing 190 lbs, but Landen’s athleticism and football IQ have allowed him to excel in his role, leading him to be one of the best, if not the best MLB in the state. He scrapes well, he anticipates well, he is always in the right position. One of the things that is an indicator of success at the college level is technique. Moreso that size, speed, or even overwhelming power. Those things matter but technique and IQ matter more. He has all of it.
Season Performance Overview:
Landen’s defensive prowess is highlighted by his remarkable ability to make tackles and disrupt the opposing team’s offense. Over the course of the season, he amassed a total of 177 tackles, with 120 solo tackles and 57 assists. His knack for being at the right place at the right time is further evidenced by his 28 tackles for loss (TFL), showcasing his ability to penetrate the backfield and make critical stops.
Key Games and Impact Plays:
Throughout the season, Landen’s performances in key games have been noteworthy. In a dominant win against Westminster, he recorded 14 tackles and 3 TFL, setting the tone for the season. Against Denver South, he tallied 17 tackles and 4 TFL, demonstrating his ability to elevate his game against tough opponents. Perhaps most impressively, in a crucial victory over Overland, Landen achieved a season-high 22 tackles and 4 TFL, underscoring his importance to the team’s defensive strategy.
Sacks and Quarterback Pressures:
Landen also contributed to the team’s pass rush, recording 2 sacks and 8 sack yards over the season. While his primary role was not as a pass rusher, these statistics highlight his versatility and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the defense.
Defensive Statistics:
In addition to his tackling prowess, Landen showcased his skills in pass defense and playmaking. He intercepted 3 passes, returning them for a total of 60 yards, with an average return of 20 yards. This ability to turn defense into offense was crucial for the Angels. Landen also recorded 9 pass deflections, further demonstrating his all-around defensive capabilities. His 4 forced fumbles over the season were a testament to his ability to create turnovers and change the momentum of games.
Leadership and Intangibles:
We do not know him personally, but there is absolutely no way he isn’t a role model on this team. He is simply TOO GOOD at the little things to have gotten there accidentally. We haven’t even mentioned the fact that he has picture perfect form tackles, goes low and doesn’t miss. Those things come from a lot of time and work put into the game of football.
Conclusion:
Landen Holloway’s senior year has been a showcase of defensive excellence. His ability to tackle, make plays behind the line of scrimmage, pressure quarterbacks, and create turnovers has made him one of the most feared defenders in the league. He is going to make waves at the college level, mark our words.