Allatoona Football’s Top Returners For The 2021 Season
Allatooona’s football team is perhaps one of the most promising high school teams in the entire state of Georgia. Last year, they finished the season with an 11-1 record overall, with a 8-0 regional record. Their only loss on the…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingAllatooona’s football team is perhaps one of the most promising high school teams in the entire state of Georgia. Last year, they finished the season with an 11-1 record overall, with a 8-0 regional record. Their only loss on the season came to Westlake High School in the third round of the playoffs, in which they lost 24-27. To say that they came up short is an understatement. This will undeniably be the force that drives the Buccaneers this off-season as they look to return to the playoffs, with an opportunity to make a deep run. While the bulk of the team’s stars last season were also a part of Allatoona’s senior class, the young players who were in the mix will return for the 2021 season and will likely be the key pieces to another hopeful season.
Bennett Christian Bennett Christian 6'6" | 235 lbs | TE Alatoona | 2022 State GA – TE
When watching tape on Christian, it is evident that he is a match up problem for defenders due to his ability to separate on routes and make big time catches. His feet allow him to shake defenders off of the line, and out of his breaks, and his ability to catch the ball is also very fluid, and clean. His strong body, and thick frame is often times used to his strength as well, and can be seen to be a key reason why he has the success that he does. Along with this, Christian also does a good job using his hands when engaging defenders, and proves to be a big time asset in the running game due to his ability to block well and buzz his feet, which limits the success that pass rushes and defenders have against him.
Vinnie Canosa- OLB
Canosa, who measures in at 6’1, 215, has a very wide and thick frame. Because of this, he moves a bit slowly at times, but is fast enough to make tackles and plays in pursuit when needed. As a backer, his overall ability to change direction is a bit average, but his bulkiness helps him a great deal upon contact and is often times a big part of his success. This results in good pop on contact, and makes it easier for him to finish tackles. With this, Canosa’s nose for the football proves that he is not scared to put the team on his back if needed. Going into next season, we would like to see him continue to play with the tenacity, and to also continue to use his hands effectively when ripping off of blocks before taking good angles on tackles.
Jylan Thomas- RB
As a RB, Thomas may not be the fastest, and he may not have the quickest feet, but his running style is certainly effective for his team. He has a decent burst that allows him to escape tacklers, and to explode up the field as soon as he touches the ball. His frame is also solid, which helps him to withstand any contact that he may encounter when defenders attempt to make tackles. This is also the same trait that allows him to finish through contact and to bulldoze over tacklers. His strong running style allows him to slash through the line of scrimmage, which also makes it hard for people to wrap up on him. To add to this, Thomas also does a good job of reacting with his feet to what he sees at the line of scrimmage, and can even be seen to make decent gains because of it. His small twitch can be effective, and going into next season, we would like to see him continue to develop with this, and his overall burst and footwork.
Caleb Moore- CB
While Moore has some upside as a DB, it can also be seen that he moves a bit stiffly, and that his hips are a bit tight. Due to this, we project him to be a very small school prospect if he decides to play at the next level. Despite this, Moore still does a good job in zone coverage, and even sees himself having success because of his decent feet, and ability to get out of his breaks and make plays on the ball. This often times results in pass break-ups, and even turnovers. Along with this, Moore also has good length, and decent burst. This will help him next season as he will look to lock up opposing receivers.