GAMEBREAKER...Javiyen Cummings | Desert Hills

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JAVIYEN CUMMINGS | DESERT HILLS | WR, S |

OVERVIEW:

When you witness a team hoist the Utah 4A state championship, you can’t help but think of all the great plays throughout the year. Championship teams are normally well rounded Afterall. You have your big hits on the defensive side, interceptions, forced fumbles, clutch stops. On the offensive side you have your big runs, pancake blocks, jukes and stiff arms, yet the most memorable always seems to be the long bombs. Passes heaved downfield to a streaking receiver for the big-time play. Desert Hills saw all of these moments’ multiple times during their championship season. But for the big time play downfield, few teams seemed to do it better than the Thunder. The Thunder put up 458 points on the season, more than anyone in the entirety of the Utah 4A classification. No other team cracked the 400 mark, and Desert Hills at 35.2 points per game was the best in 4A by about 4 points. Desert Hills had an electric passing game, lifted by a dominant ground game which made it easier to attempt the deep ball.

Javiyen Cummings was just a junior last year, a part of a stacked Thunder Wide Receiver Corps, yet he was a major contributor to those impressive offensive numbers you read above. Cummings posted a stat line of 23 receptions, 326 yards and six touchdowns according to MaxPreps. The 23 snags placed him 5th on the team in receptions, where the top 4 pass catchers were seniors. It doesn’t take a mathematician to recognize that Cummings comfortably slots into the main Wide Receiver spot as he gears up for what should be a monstrous season.

As far as his 326 yards goes, he would fit into the top 4 for the Thunder. If you simply look at as Cummings as younger star on a stacked Thunder team, you wouldn’t be wrong, but going into his senior season, a quick dive would show you how really impactful Javiyen should be. His 14.2 yards a grab would tie him at number one for players who had more than 1 reception on the year, proving that he can be a go to guy when you need a first down or a moderate gain. Cummings works well in space and his route running ability can help any quarterback in a tight spot. He can play the short, moderate and long game as well as any receiver.

An even better example of Javiyen’s impact comes in the form of touchdowns. Just like his yards per catch, his six touchdowns, per Maxpreps, would be tied at the top for most receiving scores on a championship team. When the Thunder were in the red zone, explosiveness shone through for Javiyen. Desert Hills had 24 receiving touchdowns on the year, meaning Cummings accounted for 25 percent of those touchdowns. The yardage may not have been at the top, or the receptions, but his usage proves that when he gets the ball, great things happen. Thunder fans should be absolutely thrilled that more opportunities are set to come his way. Having that impact on that crowded of a Thunder rotation last year is impressive, but I have a feeling this year will be even more so. After all, I can’t think of anyone who would be upset with a guy who scores on about 26 percent of his grabs.

Cummings had three games of 50 plus yards, and three with 3 or more receptions. He was purely dominant in Desert Hills 52-13 win over the Cedar Reds by hauling in two touchdowns with only 4 receptions and 57 yards. In a tight down to the wire game against their rival, Crimson Cliffs, Cummings would have 6 receptions and 66 yards to lead all Thunder receivers in a narrow 21-14 regular season loss. Even during a year where there was talent to spare, Javiyen found a way to be top dog at different times and in different ways.

With all this said, his impact goes well beyond the offensive side of the ball. Cummings recorded 18 tackles, 2 interceptions, and had a fumble recovery for a tough Thunder defense last year. Fifteen of those tackles were unassisted, showing that he’s plenty capable of cleaning up in the secondary on his own accord. His two interceptions placed him top 5 on the team, with a group comprised full of ball hawks. We expect greatness offensively, but its clear to see that Cummings will be a top name when fans and media discuss the secondaries of region 9. Javiyen Cummings is a ball player in every sense of the word and he’s primed to take region 9 by storm this year.

COACHES COMMENTS:

What a privilege it is to have the opportunity to be around this stud! The hardest part is we don’t get him on offense that often. HaHa. Coach Taps always gets him over on the defensive side of the ball. Jayv is definitely one of the most, if not the most, elusive, quick, explosive players in the program. What a playmaker he is. It makes coaching fun and exciting. Jayv is that player that you don’t have to worry about working hard. This kid is a very hard worker. Not only at practice, but off the field too. His football IQ is off the charts. Jayv spends hours studying defenses, breaking down film with his Dad, Coach Paki, and drawing up route combos with his brothers. Javiyen has taken that leadership role and leads by example. He never misses a chance to coach up the younger guys. He’ll be our top guy on the field, no matter where you find him. He will do whatever is asked, whatever it takes, to bring a “W” to our Thunder Football team. This is going to be an amazing year for Jayv. I am so blessed to watch him up close!! Proud of you Jayv!!!