Live look standouts week 2: Mt. Carmel at Loyola

One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the shortened spring season, was held this Saturday afternoon. A battle between both schools that lasted for quarters, it was the Ramblers making plays at the end of the game to come away with a home victory, 35-17, over visiting Mt. Carmel. Although the score doesn’t show how highly competitive this game was, the talent on both sides was evident. Here are the best players on the field from this past Saturday’s Mt. Carmel at Loyola contest. Loyola <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-126672" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/3398C591-2CF7-47D1-BE9F-593C10DCB88E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2021 Running back #21 [player_tooltip player_id="20363" first="Vaughn" last="Pemberton"] (6’ and 215lbs) @vaughnpemberton Multiple players on the field will play at the next level, but it was Pemberton that stood out above the rest. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1375917604502704134?s=21 All that while still being a factor in the passing game. The goal line wildcat quarterback showed a knack for finding the endzone, scoring three times on the ground. The Ball State commit was humble as well, crediting his offensive line first and foremost. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-126678" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/C87205EE-247C-4FD4-8928-148091832F0E-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2021 Cornerback #13 [player_tooltip player_id="65544" first="Marty" last="Auer"] (6’ and 200lbs) @AuerMarty The Ramblers were scoring a variety of ways and one of them came via Auer’s pick-6. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1375890667549888514?s=21 Not only did he play the pass well, multiple times he came up and made tackles during the run game. With good size and solid speed, Auer has focused on his technique which is very impressive. This game showed the potential that the senior has, Auer has a bright future. A quick preface before moving on to a few younger players on the Ramblers team. I probably could have included their whole starting lineup on both sides, this team is that good. These next few players are underclassmen who played larger roles in on a team that should be viewed as one of the best in the state. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-126679" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/7B851B01-C317-4785-840B-0B03ED6E9D24-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Tight end #81 [player_tooltip player_id="20888" first="James" last="Kyle"] (6’6” and 230lbs) @James_Kyle88 Already with the frame of a D1 tight end, Kyle role was <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/trim.7602B3F1-9CE2-4F87-B103-D521D61EE550.mov">mainly as a blocker</a> for the Ramblers, as their ground game was obviously working. That didn’t mean that Kyle didn’t flash in the passing plays <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/trim.249759D5-5979-47F2-AF35-19FA90F53A8E.mov">that went his way</a>. Extremely athletic for his size, there’s a ton of versatility in his game. Kyle has already garnered D1 offers and with more performances like this one, more will be on the way. 2022 Wide receiver #80 Roger Simon (6’2” and 180lbs) The junior caught three passes during this past contest, and even though two of them were short gainers, it was this 87-yard score that obviously stood out. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1375894585424154632?s=21 The home run potential is there, with very good size Simon could be a very big problem if he continues to focus on football. He’s also a star on the diamond, but the skills certainly translate over. Whichever one Simon ends up picking, he’s going to be pretty damn good. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-126680" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/06132276-F8A6-4454-A65F-DAD036B94179-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Safety #36 James Kreutz (6’ and 200lbs) @jameskreutz3 The younger brother of Illini signee Josh, James has plenty of game although at a completely different position. His frame is smaller, but the younger Kreutz looks like he’s been in the weight room with his brother and retired NFL star father Olin. What impressed me the most was his football IQ, for such a young player, James plays the game like a veteran. Fast enough to come up and cover the slot, but smart enough the be the last line of defense. Even though he doesn’t play the same position as other in his family, the younger Kreutz has plenty of talent. 2022 Running back [player_tooltip player_id="65720" first="Marco" last="Maldonado"] (5’11” and 190lbs) @mmarco_4 It was obviously a game where Loyola went to Pemberton early and often, but his backup Maldonado is skilled as well. Standing in his own endzone, the junior wasn’t afraid and <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/trim.4B30DD2B-3764-4441-B0CC-964F86FBCB25.mov">gained solid yardage</a> that set up Simon’s score. Maldonado will most likely be the starter next year and I be he impresses in a full-time role. Mt. Carmel <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-126681" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/02645359-442B-4193-BA29-7159E2668375-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Wide receiver #2 [player_tooltip player_id="106707" first="Brandon" last="Rogers"] (6’ and 190lbs) @Brandon_Rogers8 The first time I had seen Rogers rep a wide receiver was this past weekend, as every other one of our encounters he was the one throwing the ball. Even though he wasn’t the signal caller, an athlete like Rogers just can’t be left on the bench. Multiple times he made acrobatic catches <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/trim.3C2619A7-14E4-4CBE-B9F2-887DA1770C65.mov">including this one</a>, making me think about giving him the athlete label. After seeing Rogers as a receiver, I still think he has a higher ceiling as a quarterback. His performance showed that if asked, Rogers could play elsewhere. 2021 Linebacker #36 [player_tooltip player_id="20356" first="Kenenna" last="Odeluga"] (6’ and 225lbs) @OdelugaKenenna The Illini commit was a monster all afternoon long, on both the offensive side as a running back and defensively as a linebacker. If I had to guess where Odeluga ends up, it’s as a ‘backer due to his great awareness and physicality. Already possessing a frame that looks like he’s been in a college weight room for years, Odeluga consistently shed blockers to make plays. Although he was a late addition to the Illinois class, they sure got a very good prospect in Odeluga. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-126682" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/04/C6E89661-0164-42C4-BDBD-8627AA2B839C-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Offensive tackle #78 Ryan Boersma  (6’6” and 280lbs) @RBoersmaXXL Absolutely massive, Boersma is extremely athletic for his size. He was able to get to the second level more than a few times which was pretty impressive against the Loyola defensive line. Boersma has a good punch and was solid run blocking as well as pass protection. Long arms with a frame that has room for more muscle, Boersma has the potential to develop into a very solid tackle at the next level.