Jordan's Road Trip Round 1: Naperville Central Standouts

This game started off on a quick pace as Naperville North drives down the field with Nate Jacobs punching it into the endzone from 2 yards out giving them the lead 7-0 over Naperville Central with 7:45 left in the 1st Quarter. Naperville Central would respond with one heck of a throw by [player_tooltip player_id="155031" first="Owen" last="Prucha"] where he fits the ball right between two defenders for Tristen Hall to come away with the TD grab. This tied the score 7-7 with 2:59 left in the 1st Quarter. The remainder of the 1st Quarter, Naperville North was driving down the field and got into field goal position as the Quarter expired. To kickstart the 2nd Quarter, Naperville North lines up for a 21 yard Field Goal attempt and it’s good (Naperville North 10 Naperville Central 7) with 11:57 left in the 2nd Quarter. Naperville Central answers back with [player_tooltip player_id="196308" first="Tyler" last="Dodd"] keeping his feet driving to get into the endzone off a 4-yard run (Naperville Central 14 Naperville North 10) with 5:43 left in the 2nd Quarter. Naperville North would drive down the field as time was expiring and almost had a TD pass off an RPO but the receiver just wasn’t able to secure the catch in the endzone (End of 1st Half Naperville Central 14 Naperville North 10). Coming out of the half, it was a defensive battle on both sides with neither offense being able to put points on the board for the first 10 minutes of the 3rd Quarter. This would all change once the ball was put into [player_tooltip player_id="20879" first="Reggie" last="Fleurima"]’s hands off a punt returning it for a TD (Naperville Central 21 Naperville North 10) with 2:38 left in the 3rd Quarter. On the kickoff, [player_tooltip player_id="65737" first="Zeke" last="Williams"] receives the kickoff and sets up Naperville North in good starting field position where they drove down the field but weren’t able to capitalize. Fast forward to the 4th Quarter, [player_tooltip player_id="155031" first="Owen" last="Prucha"] gets into the endzone of a QB sneak with the help of his OL (Naperville Central 28 Naperville North 10) with 7:44 left in the 4th Quarter. Naperville North wouldn’t roll over though, they drove down the field and got into the endzone off [player_tooltip player_id="168918" first="Aidan" last="Gray"] QB sneak from 4 yards out (Naperville Central 28 Naperville North 16) with 4:24 left in the 4th Quarter. They would go for a two-point conversion and not get it. There was a chance for Naperville North to get the ball back on a crucial 4th down, instead of punting the ball Naperville Central opted to go for it. [player_tooltip player_id="155031" first="Owen" last="Prucha"] gets the carry and is in a foot race to his right to get the 5 yards needed for the first down, he’s being chased by two Naperville North defenders and dives right before being tackled on the play. He ends up getting the 1st down and seals the win for Naperville Central to advance into the next round of the playoffs. Hats off to both teams in this Rivalry Playoff Matchup. Final Score Naperville Central 28 Naperville North 16 <a href="https://youtu.be/J_BgDcQHtfo">Game Highlights</a> <hr /> <img class=" wp-image-225769 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/IMG_6101-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="187" height="249" /> #2 [player_tooltip player_id="155031" first="Owen" last="Prucha"] 6’0 170 22’ QB <a href="https://twitter.com/pruchaowen">Twitter</a> Mr. Prucha had himself a day in the ground game running options, QB design runs, and pulling the ball down to scramble throughout this game. When the ball is in his hands, he has an initial burst through the line of scrimmage to clear the defensive line where he then weaves in and out of defenders in open space. Upon contact, he isn't afraid to lower his shoulder and fight for extra yards. In the passing game, he can make level 2 throws putting it between two defenders by adding a touch on the ball. This resulted in Naperville Central's 1st TD on the night. Coming into the game I knew of his passing ability and that he could scramble if need be, after this game I'm convinced he can be a dual-threat QB at the next level and fit well in a fast-paced west coast style offense. Check out his Game Clips Below! https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454812173981687810?s=20 <img class=" wp-image-225771 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/IMG_6102-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="142" height="189" /> #8 [player_tooltip player_id="20879" first="Reggie" last="Fleurima"] 6’2 200 22’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/RegFleu">Twitter</a> Mr. Fleurima wasn't able to make much of an impact in the passing game as Naperville Central relied heavily on the run game during this round 1 playoff game. That being said, he did have a catch running an underneath route where gets upfield once securing the catch. He was having a slow game until he received a punt return. Upon securing the punt, he makes not one but two defenders miss in open space right away showcasing his elusiveness. He then changes his speed by stopping on a dime calling out to his teammate to make a key block during the return before accelerating quickly into the endzone. There's no doubt as to why he's committed to Northwestern University, a game-changing playmaker that's presence is felt in the air attack and in the return game. Check out his punt return TD Below! https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454813106136305665?s=20 #9 Maverick Ohle 6’2 215 24’ DL <a href="https://twitter.com/Mav_ohle">Twitter</a> Mr. Ohle did a good job of filling gaps in run support and using his hands at the point of attack to shed blocks to make the tackle on the play. During passing downs, he was able to get pressure on the QB as well. He's a younger defensive lineman that plays through the whistle by taking pursuit angles to make the tackle downfield. This young man has a high motor to him too, one to keep an eye on during Naperville Central's Playoff run and in the coming seasons. Check out his Game Clip Below! https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454554660203810816?s=20 #10 Seth Lendzion 6’2 210 22’ K <a href="https://twitter.com/lendzion_seth">Twitter</a> Mr. Lendzion has a big leg to him, on multiple kickoffs he had touchbacks with the ball hitting the backline of the endzone. He has a good follow-through on his kicks and keeps his balance as well. What caught my eye about his kicking skillset is his ability to line up as a regular kickoff and control his foot as he's kicking to turn it into a sky-onside kick going 15 yards. The body control he showcased during that kick was very impressive. Check out one of his Touchbacks Below! https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454551281415213056?s=20 <img class=" wp-image-225768 alignright" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/IMG_6100-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="151" height="201" /> #16 Tristen Hall 5’11 180 22’ WR <a href="https://twitter.com/TristenHall6">Twitter</a> Mr. Hall lines up in the slot and stems his routes outside to gain leverage on the defender before breaking inside, this is exactly what he did on his receiving TD on the night. He makes the catch between two defenders by high pointing the ball coming away with the contested catch and showcasing eye-ball coordination to secure the catch as he was falling to the ground (ball was bobbled as he was going to the ground). Later in the game, he ended up lining up at running back where he would burst through the line of scrimmage and keep his feet driving fighting breaking weak arm tackles as he fights for extra yards. Check out his game clips Below! https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454812597182664704?s=20 #21 [player_tooltip player_id="196308" first="Tyler" last="Dodd"] 5’8 175 23’ RB <a href="https://twitter.com/TylerDodd_21">Twitter </a> Mr. Dodd was a man on a mission during this round 1 playoff matchup. He's a hard runner that bursts through the line of scrimmage and breaks weak arm tackles by keeping his feet driving. Once he clears the 1st level of defenders he anticipates contact from the linebackers and defensive backs flowing to the ball, upon doing so he lowers his shoulder and fights for extra yards. Upon doing so, he ended up breaking a few big runs on the night. He can catch out of the backfield as well, once he secures the catch he gets upfield quickly. Check out his game clips Below! https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454813444952178688?s=20 #45 Charlie Egan 5’10 190 23’ LB <a href="https://twitter.com/charlie4egan">Twitter </a> Mr. Egan was one of two linebackers making their presence felt on the night. He fills holes in run support where he takes on blocks clogging up the running lanes. During passing downs, he's able to drop back quickly into his coverage responsibility which results in him getting in the way of the passing lane for incomplete passes. When he's not in pass coverage on passing downs he has the ability to attack downhill to get pressure on the quarterback. #52 [player_tooltip player_id="179159" first="Ethan" last="Pytlak"] 5’10 185 22’ LB <a href="https://twitter.com/EthanPytlak">Twitter</a> Mr. Pytlak fills holes in run support where he meets the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage throughout the night. Once he diagnoses the play he attacks flying to the ball to make the play. This is seen in both the run and pass defense where he makes open-field tackles. His aggressiveness comes to light as he flows to the ball and gets after it with his high motor. He's a smaller linebacker but man does he play like he's 6'2 225 during this game, go check out his game clips Below! https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454814918474076160?s=20 #74 Kyle Kopczynski 6’7 265 22’ OL <a href="https://twitter.com/KopczynskiKyle">Twitter</a> Mr. Kopczynski caught my eye with his great size standing at 6'7 265. He's able to get hands-on and keep his feet driving to wash the defensive lineman down. In my eyes, he's more of a raw prospect that would need to develop his skill set further at the next level. With that being said, he has a high upside as he can develop at the college level for the Offensive Tackle position. #78 John Penny 6’2 265 23’ OL Mr. Penny does a good job of getting hands-on and keeping his feet driving to push the defensive lineman back creating running lanes for his teammate. He can also wash the defensive lineman down creating a pile at the line of scrimmage. During passing downs, he holds his own one-on-one in pass protection by staying square and punching the defensive lineman's hands down to neutralize the pass rush. Notables #7 Ty Randle 6’3 225 22’ DL <a href="https://twitter.com/TyRandle4">Twitter</a> https://twitter.com/PRZJordan/status/1454553517415407622?s=20 #17 Luke Roy 6’1 180 22’ TE <a href="https://twitter.com/lukeroy27">Twitter</a> #18 Alex Noto 6’1 225 22’ DL #97 Brian McInerney 6’0 210 22’ DL #68 Quinn Hurley 6'5 270 22' OL <a href="https://twitter.com/Quinnhurlz1?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">Twitter</a> Key Takeaways <ul> <li>Defense flies to the ball</li> <li>Offense can get it done in the air or ground attack (you stop one the other is still a threat)</li> <li>Special Teams - Can score off returns & kicker has a leg to him</li> </ul> <hr /> Be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/PRZJordan">@PRZJordan</a> regarding news & information for Illinois High School Football as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/prepredzoneIL">@PrepRedzoneIL</a>. Want to be ranked? 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