Scouting Report: Mervo Mustangs, Thriller In Baltimore

Mustangs put up a heavy 46 points but that wasn’t quite enough to squeeze by rival Dunbar (46-48 OT). Early on, the score board was all blue and gold as the Mustangs lead 40-24. After some changes in the Dunbar backfield the Mustangs struggled to corral the Poets shifty weapon. Mervo definitely has some firepower and is still one of the top teams in the Baltimore area, lets take a look at who stood out in this dramatic grudge match. (Full Game Highlights At The Bottom Of The Article) <img class="size-medium wp-image-204794 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Mervo-8-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" />Derek Dunn- #8, QB, 6’2 195, 2022 Dunn is a gamechanger for the Mustangs ,a strong bodied athlete willing to lay it out on the line. Dunn has good arm strength that allows him to make passes on the run or without setting his feet. He continuously showed how dangerous he was outside the pocket against Dunbar as the pass rush became relentless. Dunn is very elusive while in the pocket, when pushed out of the pocket and forced to scramble defenders should be on alert. Derek runs hard and is not an easy task to bring down. Dunn impressed with his ball placement on a touchdown pass to Hicks. While stepping up into the pocket avoiding the rush he put the ball on Hicks outside shoulder on a dig route giving Hicks the opportunity to turn and run in for the touchdown. Derek is very talented an expected to take this tough Mustangs team to the 4A state championship, he definitely has the talents to do so. Currently hold a roster spot offer from Virginia University Lynchburg. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/10039498" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dunn’s HUDL Profile</a> [embed]https://twitter.com/_derekdunn/status/1437232933174132739?s=21[/embed]   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Mervo4-crop-400x263-1632239362.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-204797 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Mervo4-crop-400x263-1632239362-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Connor Hawkins- #4, QB, 2022 Hawkins is a very accurate and mechanically polished veteran. Along with his good accuracy he’s agile and can extend plays outside the pocket. After a long injury timeout Hawkins came out and threw a 40yard touchdown on the first play, leading his receiver to the near pylon on a corner route.   Kylish Hicks- #1, DB/WR, 6’1 190, 2022 Hicks is known for his dominance on the defensive side of the ball but this past Saturday he was Mervo’s leading receiver. Hicks showed that he is a dominant athlete and understands how to play the wide receiver position which is valuable being a defensive back. One of his touchdown catches was on a post in a switch concept play. He executed his route perfectly; he got an inside release with a simple speed release, kept the corners hands off with a shoulder dip and stacked his route, completely beating the corner. His speed allowed him to get around the defender with ease. His more impressive receiving touchdown displayed his skill and athleticism. Hicks made a contested catch on a 10 yard curl pattern with the defender making contact with Hick’s hands and the ball. Hicks secured the catch and spun away from the defender, then ran through an arm tackle and made another defender miss as he ran in for the score. Hicks is going to be a big part of this team on both sides of the ball. He will wear #7 in honor of the injured Mervo player for the remainder of the year. He currently holds an offer from home town Morgan State and has interest from Old Dominion. [embed]https://twitter.com/KylishHicks_/status/1439356340674105344?s=20[/embed]   <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Mervo-11-crop-400x263-1632239487.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-204800 alignleft" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/09/Mervo-11-crop-400x263-1632239487-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a>Khalil Speaks- #11, LB/FB ,5’11 221lbs, 2022 Speaks stepped up for the Mustangs on the defensive side of the ball. When Dunbar made the change at quarterback Speaks showcased consistent pressure off the edge and relentless chase. One play that is not on the stat sheet for Speaks shows his discipline and consistency. As Roche began to scramble left Speaks sealed the edge and forced Roche to scramble in the opposite direction. He didn’t make the play but he effect the play in big way. This was Speaks first game, he showed a glimpse of how he can affect a game with his pass rush. I would keep an eye on this hard hitting linebacker. [embed]https://twitter.com/N0bodysFavorite/status/1440685229941747714?s=20[/embed] [embed]https://twitter.com/N0bodysFavorite/status/1440685152150061073?s=20[/embed] [embed]https://twitter.com/N0bodysFavorite/status/1440685082621071363?s=20[/embed] Notable Player: [player_tooltip player_id="90535" first="Kendal" last="Marks"] - #5, CB, 5’11 180, 2022. Transfer from New Town, holds an offer from UMass. Full Game Highlights <iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8kvNIqOvu0w" width="560" height="314" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Mustangs put up a heavy 46 points but that wasn’t quite enough to squeeze by rival Dunbar (46-48 OT). Early on, the score board was all blue and gold as the Mustangs lead 40-24. After some changes in the Dunbar backfield the Mustangs struggled to corral the Poets shifty weapon. Mervo definitely has some firepower and is still one of the top teams in the Baltimore area, lets take a look at who stood out in this dramatic grudge match. (Full Game Highlights At The Bottom Of The Article)

Derek Dunn- #8, QB, 6’2 195, 2022

Dunn is a gamechanger for the Mustangs ,a strong bodied athlete willing to lay it out on the line. Dunn has good arm strength that allows him to make passes on the run or without setting his feet. He continuously showed how dangerous he was outside the pocket against Dunbar as the pass rush became relentless. Dunn is very elusive while in the pocket, when pushed out of the pocket and forced to scramble defenders should be on alert. Derek runs hard and is not an easy task to bring down. Dunn impressed with his ball placement on a touchdown pass to Hicks. While stepping up into the pocket avoiding the rush he put the ball on Hicks outside shoulder on a dig route giving Hicks the opportunity to turn and run in for the touchdown. Derek is very talented an expected to take this tough Mustangs team to the 4A state championship, he definitely has the talents to do so. Currently hold a roster spot offer from Virginia University Lynchburg.

Dunn’s HUDL Profile

Connor Hawkins- #4, QB, 2022

Hawkins is a very accurate and mechanically polished veteran. Along with his good accuracy he’s agile and can extend plays outside the pocket. After a long injury timeout Hawkins came out and threw a 40yard touchdown on the first play, leading his receiver to the near pylon on a corner route.

Kylish Hicks- #1, DB/WR, 6’1 190, 2022

Hicks is known for his dominance on the defensive side of the ball but this past Saturday he was Mervo’s leading receiver. Hicks showed that he is a dominant athlete and understands how to play the wide receiver position which is valuable being a defensive back. One of his touchdown catches was on a post in a switch concept play. He executed his route perfectly; he got an inside release with a simple speed release, kept the corners hands off with a shoulder dip and stacked his route, completely beating the corner. His speed allowed him to get around the defender with ease. His more impressive receiving touchdown displayed his skill and athleticism. Hicks made a contested catch on a 10 yard curl pattern with the defender making contact with Hick’s hands and the ball. Hicks secured the catch and spun away from the defender, then ran through an arm tackle and made another defender miss as he ran in for the score. Hicks is going to be a big part of this team on both sides of the ball. He will wear #7 in honor of the injured Mervo player for the remainder of the year. He currently holds an offer from home town Morgan State and has interest from Old Dominion.

Khalil Speaks- #11, LB/FB ,5’11 221lbs, 2022

Speaks stepped up for the Mustangs on the defensive side of the ball. When Dunbar made the change at quarterback Speaks showcased consistent pressure off the edge and relentless chase. One play that is not on the stat sheet for Speaks shows his discipline and consistency. As Roche began to scramble left Speaks sealed the edge and forced Roche to scramble in the opposite direction. He didn’t make the play but he effect the play in big way. This was Speaks first game, he showed a glimpse of how he can affect a game with his pass rush. I would keep an eye on this hard hitting linebacker.

Notable Player:

Kendal Marks Kendal Marks 5'11" | 180 lbs | DB Mergenthaler Vo-Tech | 2022 State MD - #5, CB, 5’11 180, 2022. Transfer from New Town, holds an offer from UMass.