Reading Football Preview

<span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the powerhouses in the Southeast area of Michigan is the Reading Rangers. The Rangers are coming off of a disappointing 2020 season when you’re looking at their typical standards. The Rangers went 8-2 and fell short in the playoffs against Centerville deep into the playoffs.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The Rangers last year averaged 37.1 ppg and that offense was a machine. It was impressive how every time they touched the ball they scored a TD. Very rarely did they have the ball and not end up in the end zone. Even better, their defense was suffocating. They only gave up 13.5 ppg and to be honest, some of those points were in garbage time. They even pitched a shutout against Springport winning 55-0.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The Rangers are going to be without their most recent star, [player_tooltip player_id="30032" first="Brogan" last="Wiler"]. The DE/TE was the key piece on defense and is now on his way to Saginaw Valley State to play for them this fall. He was a big signing for them and they expect him to play a role for them on day 1 in college.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Reading will be relying on starting RB Griffin Rife to carry the load. He has the vision to read his blocks and stay behind them. He plays patient and waits to make his move. On defense he starts at CB and is typically on the field side acting as the CB1. He’s got solid tackling form but he could learn how to come to balance. He doesn’t give up on plays and plays through the whistle and that’s always something you want in a player.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Reading will be led by QB Porter Mauk. Mauk has a huge arm and can launch a ball down the field. Reading does like to run some triple option so Mauk isn’t called on as much as he could be. He doesn’t throw the prettiest ball and it looks somewhat awkward but it always seems to get where it needs to and when it needs to. He’s mobile enough to extend plays and make something happen. As a college prospect, he’s really raw but there is some potential. For Reading, he’s the right guy in 2021. He was good in 2020 and they expect a jump in 2021.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Reading expects to win championships and they fell short last year. They did lose a huge piece but 2 of the most important players are returning. They went 8-2 last year with Mauk and if he grows and develops like they expect they could be back in the championship push this fall. I live in the area so I will drive up and check them out once this fall</span>