Twitter Mania: Week 1 Offensive Standouts pt. 1

IHSA Football got kickstarted here last Friday for Week 1 of the season and there were many impressive performances. To cover as many of your performances we posted a tweet on Twitter asking you to drop your highlight tape showcasing your performance from your Week 1 games. Without further ado, here are Twitter Mania’s Week 1 Offensive Standouts from across the state. <hr /> [player_tooltip player_id="65709" first="Chris" last="Perez"] DePaul College Prep 22’ QB <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisPerez_07">Twitter</a> Stats: 3 TDs (2 passing, 1 rushing) Eval: Mr. Perez is able to put the ball in tight windows for his receivers to come down with the ball in traffic and he’s able to get the ball out quickly by running the "quick game". Upon doing so the ball is out of his hands before any pressure can get to him. That’s not all this young man can do, he’ll even get it done with his legs by keeping them driving until he got into the endzone. [player_tooltip player_id="120070" first="Corey" last="Phillips"] Kaneland 22’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/Coreyphillips35">Twitter</a> Stats: 13 carries for 81 yards (1 TD), 3 receptions for 24 yards (1 TD), 1 Kick Return for 34 yards, 142 All-Purpose yards Eval: Mr. Phillips resumes where he left off at the end of the spring season with the first play of his highlight tape being one to see. He takes the handoff, utilizes his jump cuts (about 3 or 4) to find the open lane, and bursts through the line of scrimmage evading defenders for a touchdown. He’s very shifty/elusive in his playstyle where if you try to arm tackle him he’s going to make you miss. Mr. Phillips has the speed to turn the corner and once he does it’s going to be a tough challenge to catch him if he gets into open space. [player_tooltip player_id="165462" first="Quentin" last="Spencer"] Wheaton Warrenville South 22’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/Q_Spencer1">Twitter</a> Stats: 5 receptions for 110 yards (1 TD), 2 PBUs, 3 tackles Eval: Lining up in the slot, Mr. Spencer is quick off the line of scrimmage stemming his fade route outside to give him a step advantage on the defender resulting in a touchdown. once he secures the catch, he gets upfield quickly and keeps his feet driving breaking arm tackles and fighting for extra yards. This young man can also slow play his route to find the soft spot in the defense. [player_tooltip player_id="165460" first="Ak’Tavion" last="Agee"] Marist 22’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/aktaviion">Twitter</a> Stats: 1 receiving TD, 2 punt return TDs Eval: Mr. Agee had a shorter Week 1 highlight film but it was more than enough with the three touchdowns he showcased in it. On offense, he showcased his ability to bend his routes to get himself open and secure the touchdown by getting his toes down at the edge of the endzone. In punt return, once the ball falls into his hands he accelerated quickly weaving in and out of his blocks to get into the endzone on two occasions. This is a good starting point for this young man as he looks to build upon this performance heading into Week 2. [player_tooltip player_id="155507" first="Jack" last="Molloy"] St Ignatius 22’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/jackmol25">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Molloy starts his highlight off with an impressive kickoff return for a touchdown. The impressive part of the return is that by the time he gets the ball and has a second to survey the field the whole right side has defenders coming to swarm him to bring him down. Instead of letting this happen, he pivots to his left where he weaves in and out of defenders until he gets into open space and brings the return into the endzone. There’s also an offensive snap in his highlight showcasing his ability to change gears quickly when turning the corner for a modest gain on the play. Marquesean Taylor Zoin Benton 22’ OL Twitter Stats: N/A Eval: This young man attacks each play with his aggressive playstyle and it’s a sight to see. He’s able to wash the defensive lineman down by playing through the whistle and pancakes defenders when he square pulls. If you’re a defensive lineman during a pass play you better keep your head on a swivel as Mr. Taylor is coming to clean your clock if there’s nobody in front of him to block. Jacolby Washington Montini Catholic 22’ OL <a href="https://twitter.com/X2Kob">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Washington works up to the 2nd level blocks, can get hands-on quickly at the line of scrimmage, and washes the defensive line down. In pass protection, he stays square forcing the outside rush and keeping the pocket clean. What I like most about this young man is the aggressive playstyle that he showcased on his highlight tape by getting after it. This, in turn, creates running lanes for his teammates to run through for a big gain. [player_tooltip player_id="155138" first="Gabe" last="Quinones"] Lisle 22’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/GabeQuinones2">Twitter</a> Stats: 17 carries for 129 yards (2 TDs) Eval: Once the ball is in Mr. Quinones’ hands he’s off the races as he changes gears quickly and is elusive making the first defender miss. This young man bursts through the line of scrimmage, as he does so he continues to read his blocks and lets them get set up before blowing by the 2nd level of defenders. That being said, he utilizes his jump cuts well and uses them to get to the cutback lanes for a bigger gain on the play. [player_tooltip player_id="120244" first="Santiago" last="Rios"] Richards 22’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/sriosv1">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Rios is quick off the line of scrimmage which forces the opposing defender to be farther off the ball so he doesn’t get beat deep. This opens up the underneath routes for this young man such as hitches and inside posts giving him inside leverage on the defender to make the catch downfield. What I like most is his break at the top of his route when running posts because it creates separation from the defender to win him inside leverage between the defensive back and the outside linebacker (which gets sucked up) leaving a big gap in the defense for Mr. Rios to capitalize on. [player_tooltip player_id="157734" first="Joshua" last="Robinson"] Montini Catholic 23’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/joshrobinson22">Twitter</a> Stats: 14 carries for 103 yards Eval: Mr. Robinson is a sight to see for Montini Catholic, he’s an N/S runner that has the vision to see cutback lanes as seen with the first clip of his highlights. Once he sees that cutback lane he plants his foot into the ground and bursts through the line of scrimmage while the defenders trail in backside pursuit. This young man can also line up at receiver when they go five wide and catch the ball in traffic between the linebackers securing the catch. Keep an eye on this young man as his best is yet to come. Billy Bailey Joliet West 23’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/BillyBaileyJr2">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Bailey showcased his 4.49 40 speed during his Week 1 highlights by running jet sweeps. Once the ball is in his hands he turns the corner to get upfield and accelerates quickly. I’m curious to see how this young man does in the air attack as we move forward with the remainder of the season as there were no highlights of that for him in Week 1. [player_tooltip player_id="157738" first="Josh" last="Lim"] Marmion Academy 23’ ATH <a href="https://twitter.com/JoshL1824">Twitter</a> Stats: 7 carries for 48 yards (1 TD), 1 reception for 50 yards (1 TD) Eval: Mr. Lim bursts through the line of scrimmage when the ball is in his hands and isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder to play through contact. He followed his blocks sticking close to them as he can get lost behind them giving him an advantage and fights for extra yards in the process of doing so. This young man also lines up at reciever where he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and is able to stem his release inside resulting in a 50-yard touchdown for his team. [player_tooltip player_id="158044" first="Charlie" last="Specht"] York 23’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/SpechtCharlie">Twitter</a> Stats: 5 receptions for 131 yards (1 TD) Eval: Anytime I’ve gotten the chance to watch Mr. Specht it’s always a sight to see and his Week 1 highlight tape was no different. He showcased his release when being pressed on how he will jab step inside then swim move to get the outside release against the defensive back giving him a step advantage as this resulted in a touchdown. This young man has big playmaking abilities in the air attack as he made multiple deep shot catches, one over two defenders draped all over him. His break at the top of his route is one to watch as it creates separation from the defender and if the defender stays with him after he breaks he’s able to bring in the contested catch too. [player_tooltip player_id="137042" first="Charlie" last="Newton"] Walter Payton College Prep 23’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/canewton40">Twitter</a> Stats: 4 receptions for 74 yards, 5 tackles Eval: Lining up in the slot causes problems for opposing defenses as seen with the first clip of his highlight tape. Mr. Newton runs a fade out of the slot where he gets a step on the defender and then makes a crazy one-handed catch (using his helmet as his second hand) with the defender draped all over him. He can also line up as an outside receiver, both of which he’s quick off the line of scrimmage and has a nice break at the top of his route creating separation from the defender. Carl Bew Joliet Central 23’ QB <a href="https://twitter.com/15Cjjj">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Bew showcased in his week 1 highlight tape that he can make the throw on the run as well as scramble showcasing his mobility. Once he decides to run with the ball he’s off to the races as he blows by the 2nd level of defenders. When he’s throwing the ball, they move the pocket on rollouts frequently to give Mr. Bew the option of running the ball. This in turn sucks up the defenders allowing this young man to either put a touch on the ball or put zip on it delivering the pass into his receiver’s basket. Javion Kizer Carbondale Community 23’ DL <a href="https://twitter.com/jboogie56">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Kizer’s first play is him square pulling and pancaking the defender in his tracks which is what you like to see out of offensive lineman. He also washes the defensive lineman down in run blocking and keeps his feet driving when playing through the whistle. Mike Barretto Taft 23’ OL <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBarretto76">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Barretto is a man on a mission when it comes to blocking, each play he finds someone to hit. In pass protection, if there’s nobody for him to block he goes to double the nose guard and pancakes him with a big hit. When he blocks in open space he keeps his eyes downfield to key in on the defender he’s going to block before pancaking him with a heavy blow. Mr. Barretto fires off the ball getting hands-on quickly and is aggressive in his playstyle where he attacks as well as plays through the whistle. [player_tooltip player_id="103372" first="Allen" last="Middleton"] Mascoutah 23’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/1AllenMiddleton">Twitter</a> Stats: 10 receptions for 208 yards (2 TDs) Eval: The second play on this young man’s highlight tape is one you’re going to want to rewind and watch a few times over. He secures the catch and breaks not one but two tackles then uses a spin move to get away from those defenders. To top it off, once he does this he jukes the next defender that tries to bring him down and keeps his feet driving fighting for extra yards until he gets brought down. All of that in one play. Those traits are shown in the rest of the highlight tape where he will consistently break arm tackles and get upfield quickly after securing the catch. Mr. Middleton also has solid body control by not falling down after getting tripped up, rather staying on his feet and sprinting to the endzone as there’s nothing but green grass in front of him. [player_tooltip player_id="118997" first="Grzegorz" last="Krupa"] Taft 23’ OL <a href="https://twitter.com/GrzegorzKrupa5">Twitter</a> Stats: 10 pancakes, 6 tackles, 1 QB pressure Eval: In pass protection, this young man stays square forcing the outside rush and neutralizes the pass rush by pancaking the defender. In the run game, he’s able to reach block getting hands-on quickly then drives that defensive end into the ground to create a running lane for his teammate. Mr. Krupa also washes the defensive line down, works up to nd level blocks, and keeps his feet driving playing through the whistle. [player_tooltip player_id="181798" first="Nate" last="Branch"] Palatine 23’ TE <a href="https://twitter.com/NateBranch810">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Branch will fully extend himself to secure a catch as you will see upon watching the first clip on his highlight tape. He also works back towards the ball when his Quarterback is flushed out of the pocket from backside pressure and he isn’t afraid to get involved in run blocking either. Darius Stevenson Westmont 23’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/Dwanll">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Mr. Stevenson is utilized in many capacities on the offensive side of the ball showcasing his versatility. He lines up in the slot where he runs bubble screens as well as jet sweeps, he also lines up in the backfield running between the tackles. When the ball is in his hands he reads his blocks well allowing them to get set up before he changes gears to get upfield. [player_tooltip player_id="136750" first="Brett" last="Larson"] Kaneland 24’ OL <a href="https://twitter.com/BrettL65">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Starting on Varsity this fall, Mr. Larson has showcased the potential that he has and it’s exciting to see. In his film, he blocks in open space neutralizing the defender, gets-hands on to wash the defensive line down (both in run blocking and pass protection), and works up to the 2nd level. He still has room to hone his craft and develop further, after watching his Week 1 highlight I’m interested to see how he performs the rest of the season to see how consistent he is in his performances. Armand Voloder Lake Park 24’ OL <a href="https://twitter.com/armandxvv">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: This young man showcased what he can do on Varsity this past week. In his film, he square pulls to create a running lane for his teammate to run through and had a play in there of running a trap play as well. Mr. Voloder can also block in open space where he disrupts the defender just enough for his teammate to gain a few extra yards on the play. Once he gets hands-on the defender he stays locked on until the whistle blows and he stays square in pass protection keeping the pocket clean. Matt Larson Glenbard East 24’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/mattlarson23">Twitter</a> Stats: N/A Eval: Getting his snaps on JV he showed glimpses of what’s to come over the tenure of his high school football career. What I like most about this young man is how he’s able to weave in and out of defenders on the JV level. I’m interested to see how he produces the rest of the season and how he hones his craft this off-season in preparation for playing on Varsity next fall. [player_tooltip player_id="145658" first="Silvano" last="Spatafora"] Neuqua Valley 24’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/silvanospata25">Twitter</a> Stats: 16 carries for 106 yards (1 TD) Eval: First game of the season on JV for this young man, he showcases the potential that he has on being a downhill runner and being able to run between the guards. He’s right where he left off from the spring season of being a force on the JV level, keep an eye on him this season as he could possibly have a 1,000 rushing season on JV. <hr /> We’re going to continue this trend of going to Twitter to highlight as many of you young men as possible each week to help you, the student-athlete, get your name out there further. Be sure to follow @jamaskane regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football, @PrepRedzoneIL, and @PrepRedzone.