Will’s Games of the Week: Week 2

Each week, we’ll highlight some of the stat-stuffers from the week before, feature several prospects on our Twitter (<a href="https://twitter.com/prepredzonenc?lang=en">@PrepRedzoneNC</a>) and preview some of the next week’s top games (Always keeping the focus on the players and matchups). This week, I have my eye on three matchups, featuring some guys I’m excited to see. After a longer-than-usual offseason, there are several prospects that have risen up our board. Several of those guys have a lot to prove in terms of on-field production, so this Week 2, I have my eye on those guys especially. <strong>Vance @ Hopewell</strong> On paper, this doesn’t look like the closest matchup in the state, but Hopewell has a ton or talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Titans held a talented Hough team to just seven points a week ago, and have the chance to make another statement Friday. There’s a ton of talent in this one but I’m most excited to see how Vance replaces current North Carolina Tar Heel <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28439" first="Power" last="Echols"] </strong>on defense. The Cougars still have a ton of talent on all three levels of the defensive side of the ball. Up front, two-way tackle <strong>Jalen Swindell</strong> is underrated and should be a solid contributor up front, eating up space for the linebackers to move freely. While Echols won’t be anchoring the middle, <strong>Jalen Andrews </strong>and <strong>Jyilek Harrington </strong>make a great tandem and they’ll be assisted by a good young supporting cast. On the back end, <strong>Allen Asuani </strong>and <strong>Lee Campbell </strong>are the stars, and play everywhere, giving the Cougars some nice chess pieces with which to work. Both had productive years last season and this year could do even better. Offensively, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28538" first="Austin" last="Grier"] </strong>is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the state and could put up big numbers this season. Defensively for the Titans, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28560" first="Fred" last="Bates"] </strong>is one of the most underrated players in the state. He made our 4A all-state team and turned in a fantastic performance last week. He’s a ball-hawking safety that makes plays all over the field. Together, he and fellow senior <strong>Jabari Brown </strong>make up one of the best safety duos in the state. Brown can fly and shows a similar knack for finding the football. <strong>Major Weathers </strong>isn’t the biggest corner in the state, but he’s plenty productive. He brings a nice blend of technique and athleticism and isn’t afraid to take on receivers 1-on-1. <strong>Micah Miles </strong>plays all over the second level of the defense, doing everything from rushing the passer to sliding outside as a slot corner. He takes on blockers and plays the run exceptionally well. The Titans struggled a bit last week in bad weather against a loaded defense, but there’s a lot of talent on that side of the ball. It starts with senior do-it-all <strong>DJ Maultsby. </strong>Last year, he took snaps at quarterback, running back and receiver. He’s a big play waiting to happen and when paired with the playmaking trio of <strong>Jacob Polight, Matt Flanders </strong>and <strong>Stanley Reed, </strong>the offense becomes potent. Polight is the go-to receiver and has great size and speed at the position, putting together an All-Conference campaign in 2019. He excels at the catch point and is almost impossible to cover 1-on-1. Flanders provides the offense a lot of versatility at receiver and tight end. He’s great after the catch and tough to bring down. He also does a great job opening holes from the running backs. The primary beneficiary of that blocking is senior Stanley Reed. He runs with great balance and breaks a lot of tackles. Over the course of a game, he can wear really down a defense. <strong>Weddington @ Charlotte Catholic</strong> We’ll call this the best rivalry in the state that hasn’t played a close game in the last three years. In 2017 and 2018, the Cougars blew out the Warriors. Last season, the Warriors handed Charlotte Catholic its worst loss in over 20 years, cruising to a 45-0 shutout victory. I’m not alone in thinking this year might actually give us a close game. The Warriors are replacing the top player in the state in Clemson early enrollee <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28433" first="Will" last="Shipley"]. </strong>The Warriors won in dominant fashion last week over Sun Valley, but struggled at times to move the ball in the rain. Shipley did a little bit of everything for the Warriors so they’re working to replace him by committee. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="109579" first="Trey" last="Gordon"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28664" first="Kyle" last="Parsons"]</strong> form a great 1-2 punch in the backfield with good speed, patience and pad level behind a solid offensive line. Parsons averaged over 10 yards a carry on 49 carries a season ago. Weddington did a great job managing Shipley’s load last year, so a lot of players have ample experience behind him. On the outside, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28679" first="Landyn" last="Backey"]</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28590" first="Kambridge" last="Tuttle"]</strong> are a great duo. Backey’s route tree was incredibly limited a season ago -- mainly screens and other shorter passes -- but he still averaged 17.1 yards a reception. Tuttle is an excellent route runner with good speed. A year ago, the two combined for a touchdown every three receptions. The Warriors also have a pair of tight end/wide receiver hybrids in 6’5 <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="81509" first="Zach" last="Reda"]</strong> and 6’4 <strong>Brooks Johnson </strong>that make life difficult for opposing defenses. Dayton commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28579" first="Dante" last="Casciola"] </strong>does a great job distributing the ball to the offense’s many playmakers. Defensively, I’m watching to see how Weddington’s talented edge rushers play the run against Charlotte Catholic’s Wing T offense. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28553" first="Joe" last="Zovistoski"] </strong>want have many opportunities to rush the passer, but he also plays well against the run. The key will likely be how well middle linebacker <strong>Evan Schwartz </strong>can play. Defensive backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28509" first="Jalen" last="Newman"] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28507" first="Bryson" last="Parker"] </strong>will have to come up and stop the run as well. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28568" first="Paul" last="Neel"] </strong>is the key cog in Catholic’s offense. The Bucknell commit has a rare combination of speed, power and patience that thrives in Catholic’s system. He and fellow back <strong>Jimmy Brewer </strong>wear down defenses. This Cougar team throws the ball well too, though. Sophomore quarterback <strong>Sean Boyle </strong>has one of the better arms in school history and can run as well. Freshman tight end <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="115725" first="Jack" last="Larsen"] </strong>is already 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and when the Cougars go to the air, he’s the guy to watch. Defensively, I love the way senior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="28562" first="Liam" last="Barbee"] </strong>plays. He excels both east and west and going downhill. He’s a sure tackler that understands what opposing offenses are trying to do. Defensive end <strong>Connor Dougherty</strong> is another guy to watch as he can really get after the passer. <strong>Other Games I’m Tracking </strong> <strong>Lee County @ Overhills</strong> <strong>Rolesville @ Rocky Mount</strong> <strong>East Lincoln @ Lincolnton</strong> <strong>Reidsville @ East Surry</strong> <strong>Person @ East Alamance</strong> <strong>Butler @ Porter Ridge</strong> <strong>Wake Forest @ Cardinal Gibbons</strong>