Hazelwood Central improves to 2-0: Players to watch

The Hazelwood Central Hawks have been arguably the St. Louis area’s top team through the first two weeks of the shortened spring season and several players to watch have emerged. Here is a quick look at some of those prospects... <strong>Class of 2021</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="96041" first="Brandon" last="Johnson"], OL-DL, 6-4, 305</strong> One of just four seniors listed on Central’s roster, it’s easy to pick out Johnson (pictured above) on the field because he literally stands out above most everyone else with his imposing size. Johnson has experience inside at both guard and center and can clog the middle defensively. His play along the offensive line through the first two weeks has helped the Hawks rack up 410 yards rushing and score 73 points. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/10195682/5dd8b000a018d70d8c2d851c" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Class of 2022</strong> <strong>Lionel Banks, RB, 5-5, 184</strong> Banks has paced the Hawks' rushing attack the first two weeks, racking up 194 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, an average of 7.8 yards per attempt. Banks is a shorter running back, but displays strength in his lower body that makes him difficult to knock off balance and bring down. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11080179/605627396e8b790d88efc6b5" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Armani Turner, WR, 5-8, 160</strong> An undersized playmaker with speed, quickness and elusiveness, Turner has been one of the breakout performers of this shortened spring season and has established himself as a player to watch this fall during his senior season. Through two games, Turner has 11 receptions for 155 yards and four touchdowns. He also had a touchdown run on a jet sweep get called back because of a holding penalty. As a sophomore, during the 2019 season, Turner caught 17 passes for 356 yards and five touchdowns. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11080187/5dd315a0b53f360e50143c8d" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>DeMariun Hood Jr., OLB, 5-11, 170</strong> Hood has been a problem for opposing offenses this spring with his ability to get to the quarterback and chase down ballcarriers. Hood has recorded 14 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries -- all team-highs -- through the first two games. Hood recorded 45 tackles and five sacks as a sophomore back in 2019. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11080180/6056124c64df8b066016af1f" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Calvin Geans Jr., LB-OL, 6-1, 250</strong> Geans has made an impact on both sides of the ball this spring. On offense, at his guard spot, Geans has teamed up with Johnson to anchor the interior of the Hawks' strong offensive line. At his linebacker spot, Geans has recorded 14 tackles and two interceptions (both team bests) as well as a fumble recovery. He has a return touchdown. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11494265/6057700a64df8b066017f5b3" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> &nbsp;