Playoff Preview - Longview v Denton Ryan: Players to Watch

Last week the Longview Lobos put the state on notice that they were for real after blasting #3 Lancaster out of the playoffs, 56-20. The Lobos reward for such a great game, try the #1 team in the State, the powerhouse of Denton Ryan. Both teams are absolutely stacked with playmakers and college prospects, and both teams have a rich history of winning. This Saturday's matchup of top ten teams should be fun, and I give the Lobos a fighting chance to pull back to back upsets, but Ryan is locked and loaded, this should be a classic. Denton Ryan [player_tooltip player_id="60705" first="Bear" last="Alexander"] (2022 DL) Bear lives up to his name and has been one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in the state. Bear is big, fast, athletic, and has D1 prospect stamped all over his game. Ryan is his third program in as many years so tape is hard to come by, but let this list of offers speak for themselves: Alabama, Auburn, Oregon, Texas A&M, Texas, TCU, OU, Ohio St., Okie St., USC, Michigan, Colorado, LSU, Miami, Florida, et al. https://twitter.com/BearAlexander_/status/1324953561181138944 [player_tooltip player_id="60365" first="DJ" last="Arkansas"] (2021 LB) DJ has such great command on defense with a tremendous feel for the game. He is a natural that plays with great control and poise, but when it's time to attack, DJ closes incredibly hard and fast. Check out these <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EqERL">highlights</a> from Ryan's win last week over College Station, DJ is committed to Rice. <img class=" wp-image-66504 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/10/TX-Billy-Bowman-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="71" height="107" />[player_tooltip player_id="60158" first="Billy" last="Bowman"] (2021 ATH) This <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EqERM">do-everything playmake</a>r has huge impact all over the field. On offense, he plays WR and runs crisp routes, and catches the ball with strong hands. Defensively, he can cover any position and has no problem with contact. Bowman is committed to the University of Texas and will see the field sooner than later in Austin. [player_tooltip player_id="60260" first="Seth" last="Henngian"] (2021 QB) The senior signal-caller has a great toolset and maintains his poise very well as he leads a star-studded cast. Seth has a great arm and is accurate, but I love how he moves around in the pocket, his <a href="http://www.hudl.com/video/3/6296681/5fa2f34d4dec810888494c11">footwork and pocket presence</a> is college-ready. Committed to Memphis already, and with his complete skillset and mindset, I think he has a real shot to compete early for a starting job. [player_tooltip player_id="60733" first="Austin" last="Jordan"] (2022 DB) Jordan has great size for a DB and it makes him versatile and attractive to college recruiters. Ryan will line him up at safety and corner, and the size and coverage ability really jump off the screen when you <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CpZj3">watch the tape</a>. On a good Ryan defense, Jordan stands out with his ability and college-ready frame. The shortlist battling it out for his services at the next level is Ohio State, OU, and Texas. [player_tooltip player_id="60412" first="Ty" last="Marsh"] (2021 LB/DB) Ty is an absolute blast to watch and study on film, t<a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EnFsh">here is so much ability</a>. In any given game you will watch Ty play OLD, corner, or slot corner and he makes plays everywhere! He does a great job avoiding blockers while keeping his eyes locked on the ball, has great closing speed, and is a sure tackler. Marsh is committed to Houston and I will be interested to see how they choose to use him. [player_tooltip player_id="60157" first="Ja’Tavion" last="Sanders"] (2021 DL) If you closed your eyes and imagined what a dominant DE/TE looked like and played like, you would be picturing Sanders. Committed to Texas, Sanders shows <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EbFCi">unreal athletic ability</a> on a stacked Ryan defensive front. He has great speed, explosion, and bend to an elite pass rusher, and as you can see from his tape, he makes plenty of big plays from the TE position. Longview<img class="wp-image-88083 aligncenter" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2020/12/IMG_4211-300x189.jpg" alt="" width="129" height="81" /> <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kaden-meredith/">[player_tooltip player_id="60235" first="Kaden" last="Meredith"]</a> (2021 RB) Meredith Highly recruited and for good reason, Meredith has been a staple in the Lobo program for three years and is trying to win the team’s second state title in three years. Meredith has patients for his blocks to set up and the holes to open, and when they do, watch out! Meredith has <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EqGCq">breakaway speed</a> and only seems to get better as the game goes on. For the season Meredith has 179 carries for 1,367 - 26 TDs and a TD catch. Markevion Haynes (2021 RB/FB) Sharing the backfield with Meredith has its perks, both these talented backs stay fresh and never give the defense a chance to get off their heels. Haynes is also a load that clears the path for Meredith as a great blocking fullback. As a runner, <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EqAJ1">Haynes is a north and south</a>, no-nonsense type back with a great burst. <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/jalen-hale/">[player_tooltip player_id="60850" first="Jalen" last="Hale"]</a> (2023 WR) Hale is coming off a monster game vs Lancaster when he hauled in two touchdowns with 100 yards. This super sophomore has grown-man strength and freakish athletic ability that has lead him to 14 touchdown grabs this season for the Lobos. Hale has multiple power 5 offers but added two big ones last week from Georgia and Texas, this recruitment fight is about to heat up! https://twitter.com/NickHarris247/status/1340126192502976512 <a class="pn-player-link" href="https://prepredzone.com/player/kybrien-jamerson/">[player_tooltip player_id="60455" first="Kybrien" last="Jamerson"]</a> (2021 LB/DE) Jamerson has great burst and is so powerful, he sheds would-be blockers with ease before wreaking ball carriers and QBs. <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Eq9KH">Jamerson is a playmake</a>r that has a knack for making disruptive plays, creating 8 TFL, 3 sacks, 3 FF, 5 FR, 2 PBU, blocked punt, and a defensive TD. Jahkamian Carr (2021 DL) Carr finished with <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EqBUV">11 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks</a> last week v Lancaster in a dominating performance. Carr has the frame and speed of a DE, but can play with power and is used across the entire defensive line. Great burst off the ball and tremendous overall athleticism, a perfect fit for this fast, swarming defense. Austin Pencheon (2021 TE) Austin is an old school TE and will straight up <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2EnS2n">knock your block off</a> in the run game or pass blocking. If you’re going to play tight end for the Lobos you have to be physical, Austin checks that box and then some, not sure if I ever have seen a TE with so many pancake blocks! The man has hands too, so once he beats you up physically, he will slip out and burn you with his route running. This 1st team academic all-state young man will make some college coach very happy. Tyshawn Taylor (2021 LB) Taylor plays <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2CDhnN">fast and decisive,</a> exactly what you want from your MLB. I love how fast he closes and comes downhill with purpose, there are no guessing games. It is obvious by watching Taylor's film that he puts in work in the film room, he reads his keys quickly and attacks violently. Taylor has offers from Tyler Junior College, West Texas A&M, Southern Arkansas, Arkansas Tech, and Northwestern Oklahoma State.