Area Breakdowns: Birmingham Area Watchlist Pt.3

Kelun Parker

August 4, 2021 @ 12:28 PM

Some teams are rebuilding all around the board from offense to defense. No spot is reserved but 7-on-7 and Fall camps can surely get your number called. With all the fresh talent and some players waiting to get their shine, who will be that key break out player and get things moving in his own way? This team in Part 3 watch list has competed back to back for the State Championship. Losing some of their main weapons on offense; QB Zyquez Perryman and Kentucky recruit Chris Lewis, the Spartans have some soul searching to do but just might not miss a beat. <strong>Markell Jordan- ATH- 6’0 180 Pleasant Grove C/O 2022</strong> 10 guys signed scholarships and 18 seniors graduated. Markell got rotation with those guys since his Freshman year. Markell stepping in at a role where his expectations are set high as he is one of the vets on the team that knows the feeling of making it to the Finals. Markell is a dedicated player that will be running behind a experienced offensive line with 4 starters. Markell is a great downhill runner that has improved a lot on his ball handling skills. With the quick feet Markell has his cuts are piercing with a dynamic explosion getting those cleats in the ground. He will also get some playing time at Defensive Back this year Coach LeBeaux explained during their media day last month as he sat alongside Markell and 2 of his 4 experienced linemen. Look forward to Markell being maybe one of the most improved standout player this year climbing his way up in the rankings. His dedication and leadership skills will be the factor to success in Pleasant Grove season. [player_tooltip player_id="126085" first="Demarcus" last="Lacey"]- RB- 6’1 180 Pleasant Grove C/O 2022 26 TD’s and 2,500 all-purpose yards! Those are some numbers for this Senior running back. Lacey put those numbers up first year playing for the Spartans and that’s just the beginning. This young man is a violent runner punishing tacklers almost never avoiding them. Taking a couple of kick returns to the house for 6 the Junior broke out on Local TV when the Spartans took on the defending Champs who they came runner up to the Season before for a regular-season showdown in which; well the Spartans showed up. Lacey led the Spartans that night with unbelievable numbers. Now a problem for schools stopping Lacey, he has a dominant playing style on the field that seems he won’t allow that. This year it won’t all be on his shoulders but I’m almost certain he’s working hard to carry it all on his shoulders. The Spartans will open their Season first with a Purple and Gold game to detect the unblemished. They will travel for their rematch season opener against Oxford Friday 8/27. <strong>Cam Wormley- DB- 5’9 160 Pleasant Grove C/O 2024</strong> This young Defensive Back has been getting his name in the surface over the summer. Competing in combines and 7-on-7 he plans to dominate his Sophomore year. After a pretty good year for him as a Freshman, almost any Coach would have to agree he came in ready for next-level football leading the team in interceptions with 6! This Freshman didn’t just get to get time to play once the score were up, he had a chance to be a part of the dominance contributed by the defense. The pesky freshman caused havoc to a lot QB’s with his quick breaking speed and recovery speed. Being young and getting a lot of playing time exposed him to some experienced receivers early in his high school career and may have noted how to handle more of those situations. Former little league Quarterback remembers all of his looks and thoughts as a Qb as he play out on Cam Island. With the attack attitude similar to NFL player Jalen Ramsey, expect to see this DB rack up more interceptions each year. I expect to see double-digit number picks this year and this DB to move up very high in rankings by the end of the year.