There is no better time than the present to anoint another Independence Bank Player of the Week. Independence Bank is proud to sponsor a weekly article highlighting players in the areas where Independence Bank flourishes who embody the same type of revolutionary service to their respective football teams which has made Independence Bank unique and special in the banking industry.
Independence Bank has a goal of achieving everyday excellence. This week we are focusing on a player whose performance on both sides of the football over the ’20 season should put him in “Mr. Football” discussion provided he can come close to duplicating it in ’21.
Claudio’s Franklin County High School is located right down the road from 2 Independence Bank branches. One is on 450 Versailles Road. The second one is located on 1228 US-127. Get on by and visit the most rapidly growing bank in the commonwealth of Kentucky, Independence Bank. Independence Bank has started a revolution in the banking industry.
Zach Claudio is not a very big guy. At 5-9, 175-pounds, he is easy to overlook if you’re reviewing the roster only noticing height and weight. Claudio’s numbers from his on-field performance are hard to miss. Friday nights; that’s were he is a “giant.”
Zach Claudio’s performance for Franklin County High, especially over an 11-game season which would have been a 15-game burn had circumstances been “normal,” was extraordinary and well exceeded expectations anyone could have fathomed for any one player. Zach Claudio’s role with the team will be exponentially expanded over the coming season and there is literally no telling what his seasonal numbers may end up being in ’21.
Superstar players like Fred Farrier (WR) and Nick Broyles (QB) have graduated. This leaves Claudio behind to muster the troops and lead them into battle. We hope you enjoy learning about Class of 2022, Athlete, Zach Claudio from Franklin County High School.
We have talked about two-way superstars before today. We aren’t sure we have ever before featured a player who produces at the level of Claudio on both sides of the football.
Claudio is listed in recruiting circles as an “Athlete.” This is the designation for players who can’t really be “pigeon-holed” into a position for next-level competition and who have skill-sets which recommend them for a variety of roles. Yep, that would be Claudio.
First of all, playing on both sides of the ball with neither side being “token play” is very rare at the 4A or higher level in Kentucky. Claudio wasn’t a token player on either side of the line of scrimmage.
Offensively, Zach was second on the team in ’20 in both receptions (43), receiving yards (666), and TDs receiving (6) behind the departed Fred Farrier. He will be the team’s second leading returning scorer in ’21 behind only Kaden Moorman.
That level of production alone is enough to win this award which is among the most prestigious weekly awards in the commonwealth. However, he played on the other side of the line too.
Defensively, his numbers are more astounding. Claudio had 39-tackles from DB, which is a lot of stops for that position. He chipped in 1.5 TFLs.
DB’s have to be around the ball. How does 2FRs with 43-fumble return yards and a scoop and score sound? What about leading the club with 6-picks, 274-INT return yards, and a whopping 3 pick-sixes?
No wonder he was among the club leaders in scoring. He scored 4-times on defense. If he has the same type year in ’21 as he had in ’20, and should he be able to lead his club back to Lexington,…you may be looking at a “Mr. Football” candidate. Wouldn’t that be wild?
Congratulations to Zach Claudio, both for his Revolutionary Play at the ’20 and that which is to come in ’21, all of which has earned Claudio this week’s recognition from the fastest growing bank in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, your friends (and his) at Independence Bank.
This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for Kentucky Prep Gridiron and reminding you that WE’RE JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!
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