Game Preview: Granite Bay Vs. Rocklin

Paul Gregorian September 30, 2021 @ 11:36 AM

These two SJS section teams are off to a terrific start this Fall. Both rosters are loaded with college caliber players and each have FBS level talent on at-least one side of the ball. As these two programs clash this week, below we will breakdown and list some of the impact players playing in this game and who have the ability to play at the next level. <hr />   Rocklin Thunder LB Kaiden Baker Very active from his outside linebacker spot, Baker is fluid in space, breaks quickly and explodes through contact while being a high motor player. He shows the ability to get off blocks quickly and takes good angles to ball carriers in space while able to apple pressure off the edge and provide a solid pass rush as well as displaying good toughness. OL [player_tooltip player_id="187005" first="Brad" last="Baur"] Baur is one of the top lineman across the SFL and even Northern California and is very athletic for his size. A natural bender, he shows good first step explosion and sets his hands inside while able to finish blocks at the first level and climb to linebackers successfully while taking good angles to defenders in space. In pass pro, he is patient, plays with a strong base and does a good job at using defenders momentum against them while able to anchor against the bull rush. OL/DL [player_tooltip player_id="25321" first="Bobby" last="Piland"] Currently committed to AF, Piland is one of the most dominating lineman in the state and will anchor both sides for the Thunder. He is extremely physical at the POA, plays with heavy hands and is a true technician while using his overall strength and power to overmatch opponents. Piland has been dominating the SFL for the past four seasons.   Other Impact Players.. DB Teeg Slone WR [player_tooltip player_id="141905" first="Nathan" last="Kent"] QB [player_tooltip player_id="141999" first="Kenny" last="Lueth"] DL Cade Brown WR/DB Elias Mullican DL Peyton Smith LB Derek Houston <hr />   Granite Bay Grizzlies OL [player_tooltip player_id="25442" first="Zaire" last="Simonton"]-Collier Simonton-Collier is one of the most dominant interior lineman across the state and has big time potential at the next level. He is extremely effective in the short area and a true road grader. He explodes out of his stance while playing with a low pad level and striking through defenders with good hand placement and finishes blocks at both the first and second level. On tape, he shows that he can move well for his size when pulling without false steps and is athletic enough to zone/reach block in space and scrape to the second level effectively. RB/LB Zach Annis Annis is a very active linebacker that is balanced and can play both the run and pass effectively. He is comfortable in space, displays fluid hips and cover abilities while able to plug holes in the box and take on blockers in tight windows. A strong tackler, he shows natural instincts and jumps routes well while showing good closing speed in space and plays with a very high motor. QB Noah Mitcheom Mitcheom is a very efficient quarterback that can make plays with both his arm and legs and is very athletic. Reading the field well and showing good ball placement on intermediate throws, he does a good job at keeping his eyes downfield but also not afraid to tuck it and run when needed. Possessing good open field speed, he moves well in the pocket and moves defenders with his eyes while throwing his receivers open and displaying a good pocket presence.   Other Impact Players.. WR/DB Brycen Mogensen RB Jayce Latson TE James Stabbert WR/DB Dominic Soares RB Frank Cusano