5A Semifinals Standouts
The result from the 5A semi’s will give us a regular season rematch between two west valley teams in Ironwood and Sunrise Mountain. Some familiar faces and some under the radar players put up some solid performances this week, showcasing…
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Continue ReadingThe result from the 5A semi’s will give us a regular season rematch between two west valley teams in Ironwood and Sunrise Mountain. Some familiar faces and some under the radar players put up some solid performances this week, showcasing some serious athleticism across Arizona. Take a look at six standouts from the 5A semifinals:
Will Haskell Will Haskell 6'4" | 200 lbs | QB Ironwood | 2021 State AZ , QB, Ironwood HS (C/O 2021)
The San Diego State commit went 16-22 for 266 yards and 3 TD’s to beat Notre Dame Prep. Haskell does an excellent job of extending plays to either pick up solid yards on his feet or find a receiver downfield. He showed a quick release with good arm strength and accuracy, showing perfect timing with his receivers. His mobility is a big part of his game, as he can fly in open space and is a very efficient passer on the move in either direction. After upsetting Desert Mountain in a comeback win in the quarterfinals and then blowing out Notre Dame Prep this week, Haskell has a ton of momentum on his side right now and is prone for another big performance against Sunrise Mountain this week.
Tommy Arnold, RB, Sunrise Mountain HS (C/O 2021)
Arnold had 3 TD’s with 183 yards on 26 carries, providing a big spark to beat Campo Verde. Arnold is a downhill, north-south type of back that does excellent work between the tackles. He displayed solid physicality and did a good job staying balanced after contact to pick up good chunks of yards. Arnold is a workhorse back for Sunrise and has been a reliable asset and a big piece of the Sunrise Mountain offense. Arnold can wear down a defense, and Ironwood had some trouble in the quarterfinals against the run, so expect Arnold to have a huge role against Ironwood in the championship.
Gabe Reaves, LB, Campo Verde HS (C/O 2021)
Despite the loss, Reaves racked up 20 total tackles, 12 of them being solo. Reaves showed good pursuit on the edges and was able to provide solid outside run support. He had a couple big play saving tackles showing a good last second reaction to get off a block and bring a possible breakaway ball carrier down by the ankles. Reaves shows good physicality and leverage, and was able to disengage off blocks to make plays between the tackles. He is an athletic 6’2″ 190lbs, and showed some flashes of being able to drop into coverage as well.
JD Roberts JD Roberts 6'2" | 230 lbs | LB Notre Dame | 2021 State AZ , LB, Notre Dame Prep (C/O 2021)
Roberts recorded 14 tackles, 10 of them solo and one TFL. Roberts is an instinctual player who flies to the ball well showing a solid POA. He shows good strength and physicality and does a good job of getting off blocks. He plays aggressive and can stop downhill style RB’s in their tracks. Roberts has also shown solid quickness and pursuit, and is a very good all around athlete at OLB. He is a consistent threat to identify in the film room for opposing offenses, and is committed to the University of New Mexico.
Harrison Wood, WR, Notre Dame Prep (C/O 2021)
Wood hauled in 8 receptions for 105 yards and a TD. He ran a stutter-go route in which he displayed an excellent quick three choppy steps to sell the hitch, then burst into his vertical to stem to showcase excellent body control and adjust to catch about a 40 yard TD. Wood sets up his routes well to generate good separation and shows strong hands to catch balls in traffic or win contested throws. He has been a big target for Notre Dame Prep this season, and colleges should love his ball skills.
Steinar Christianson, DE/TE, Ironwood HS (C/O 2021)
Christianson recorded 2 TD’s against Notre Dame Prep to help Ironwood get up early on them. He did a good jo of using his size and length at 6’4″ 195lbs to haul in catches. Christianson ran a slant and was able to snag a one handed TD from 11 yards out. His most impressive play of the night was when he broke off his route on a scrambling Haskell to snag a ball in the middle of the field and shake off defender for a 17 yard TD. He is also a standout basketball player like many good tight ends, and he translates his size and coordination to the football field well to be a big, athletic target for Haskell.