What We Saw: Myers Park Trio of WRs Shine In Win Over Clover

Brandon Stockdale August 28, 2021 @ 07:30 AM

With all of the constant moving and shaking around of opponents due to COVID-19 quarantines, Friday night’s game between Clover and Myers Park created a North versus South Carolina battle, and at halftime, it was a competitive game between the two teams. But the Mustangs used a stingy defense who pitched a second half shutout along with talented skill players on offense to pull away from the Blue Eagles on Friday night, 35-13. Let’s get into our notes and observations from the contest: Myers Park 2022 QB [player_tooltip player_id="141291" first="Lucas" last="Lenhoff"] <a href="https://twitter.com/LucasLenhoff">(@LucasLenhoff)</a> – When the ball came out of Lenhoff’s hand, it came out with accuracy, and before you knew it, it was six points. He knew where to put the ball to where his receiver could get it. At least two of his touchdowns were exploits in the zone coverage as he did an outstanding job of recognizing them and taking advantage. 2022 WR [player_tooltip player_id="141270" first="Camarion" last="Thornton"] <a href="https://twitter.com/camarionthornt1?lang=en">(@CamarionThornt1)</a> – Friday was a good lesson in why Thornton is one of the top wide receivers in the PRZ NC’s rankings. He consistently made plays in one-on-one coverage and looked the ball into his hands. He has impressive speed once he gets out into the open field, like on a screen pass for a touchdown in the first quarter. 2022 WR Amir Turner <a href="https://twitter.com/Amirturner5">(@Amirturner5)</a> and 2022 WR Ayden Burkey <a href="https://twitter.com/ayden_burkey01">(@ayden_burkey01)</a> – Both of these receivers were also go-to targets for Lenhoff on Friday night as they found the open grass against the Clover secondary. They both displayed their quickness out in space on the bubble screens and once they got into the open field, they were in the endzone. Burkey was also effective in the jet sweep game. Clover 2022 WR [player_tooltip player_id="153265" first="Darius" last="Bowser"] <a href="https://twitter.com/BowserDarius">(@BowserDarius)</a> – Bowser made an incredible catch for a 48-yard touchdown on the Hail Mary as the time expired in the first half. Outside of that, he made his presence known by executing the quick game and making the high percentage catches. He anticipated the throws well as he knew when to turn and find the ball, whether he was facing man or zone coverage. He also had a fumble recovery on a touchdown that got the Blue Eagles back in the game in the second quarter. 2022 OT Hagan Smith <a href="https://twitter.com/hagansmith71?lang=en">(@HaganSmith71)</a> – Smith has exceptional size for an offensive lineman and he looks the part once you’re able to see him in person. He opened up run lanes on pull blocks. 2023 SS Sage Penninger <a href="https://twitter.com/PenningerSage">(@PenningerSage)</a> – Penninger took good angles to make tackles on the ball carrier, one was on a screen on a third down with another one coming on an out pattern. He will be a guy you will want to keep your eye on moving forward. 2023 QB Joe Boyd <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBoyd123">(@JoeBoyd123)</a> – The young sophomore Boyd was consistent in the quick passing game. He has a nice spiral on his throws. One of more impressive throws that we saw was early on during the second series where he connected with his receiver to where he could high point the ball. Other notes/observations Myers Park RB Derek McKnight <a href="https://twitter.com/derek_mck2">(@derek_mck2)</a> had a run during the fourth quarter that we thought he had been brought down after a short gain, but he displayed purse strength on a touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the game away. Clover WR/DB Chance Sanders <a href="https://twitter.com/Chance_Sanders3">(@Chance_Sanders3)</a> recognized an outside zone run play quickly, stringing it out to prevent a long gain in the second quarter. Up next: Clover hosts Northwestern while Myers Park will host Reagan next Friday night.