Live look week 8: Glenbard South Raiders
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In a matchup of rival schools, Glenbard South came away with an impressive 40-20 victory against host Glenbard East. There were players on both sides that stood out over the course of the game and here are the standouts from…
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Continue ReadingIn a matchup of rival schools, Glenbard South came away with an impressive 40-20 victory against host Glenbard East. There were players on both sides that stood out over the course of the game and here are the standouts from the road victors, the GBS Raiders.
2023 Defensive end Owen Difranco (6’4” and 190lbs) @owendifranco
Playing both ways, Difranco made an impact the entire game. He started at offensive tackles an defensive end, but his future is rushing the passer. Difranco was an absolute force, registering multiple sacks and TFLs. He’s got a great frame which will allow him to continue to add on weight, and very good length as well.
The second of back to back 4th quarter sacks for @owendifranco pic.twitter.com/ITpqnme2Fg
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) October 18, 2021
Difranco has good bend and flexibility also and has plenty of room to continue to develop. A very impressive outing for the junior and I have a feeling that Difranco could blow up very soon.
2022 Running back Trevor Burnett Trevor Burnett 5'10" | 185 lbs | RB Glenbard South | 2022 State IL (5’10” and 185lbs) @TrevorBurnett8
From the start of this game, you knew Burnett was going to do whatever he wanted. In the first series, he broke off two big runs, setting his team up inside the redzone. Unfortunately they didn’t punch it in, but the defense grabbed a loose ball and Burnett would score the first of his three touchdowns on a Wildcat run to the left, showing great patience as there was initially a hole but he eventually found it.
From the start to the finish @TrevorBurnett8 was on his game pic.twitter.com/UlDTXrtPUz
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) October 18, 2021
His second score was an huge play, an 81-yard jaunt where he initially when right, then saw a cutback lane to the left, hit the jets and he was gone. Burnett is being under-recruited right now, he’s got some offers but needs more, this game-breaker has the ability to be a solid D1 back.
2023 Linebacker Owen Gibson (6’4” and 215lbs) @owengibson26
When the first level of the GBS defense wasn’t getting to the ball carrier, it was Gibson that was cleaning up the rest. He’s got great size, also with long arms and could end up adding on 30-40 more pounds while keeping his athletic ability.
Plays like this were made all night by @owengibson26 pic.twitter.com/6btCCxL3YR
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) October 18, 2021
Gibson runs well from sideline to sideline and has very good instincts as well. He forced a fumble the the whistle was blown a bit too early, but I really liked seeing him trying to rip the ball away. Another junior who should start being added to teams recruiting boards now.
2022 Linebacker Sam Scullion Sam Scullion 6'0" | 185 lbs | LB Glenbard South | 2022 State IL (6’ and 185lbs) @SamScullcion4
Seeing Scullion last year, he was a rush defensive end, this year he’s dropped back a level and playing linebacker. It suits his skill set much better, he’s quick and agile and always seems to be around the ball. Scullion scooped up a fumble which resulted in the Raiders first score. I still think he ends up as a safety long term, but he’s got the frame to be able to add on weight and end up around 220lbs. Holding a few DIII offers, Scullion’s upside is so much higher than that, teams need to give him more looks.
2022 Defensive end Connor Murphy Connor Murphy 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL Glenbard South | 2022 State IL (6’3” and 240lbs) @ConnorM42407009
Playing both ways, Murphy is the epitome of a team player. His future is on the defensive line as an end, but his team needed him to play tackle after a midweek injury and he stepped up. Helping Burnett rush for over 200-yards shows how valuable Murphy is where ever he lines up. He made multiple plays of the defense side as well, getting a sack along with a few tackles. Murphy is yet another player from the GBS team that is hovering under the radar. Not only is he a great player, but he’s a great teammate and young man. Offer Murphy now, you won’t be disappointed.
2024 Quarterback Michael Champagne Michael Champagne 5'10" | 160 lbs | QB Glenbard South | 2024 State IL (5’8” and 150lbs) @MichaelChampsQB
Not the biggest, not the fastest but, Champagne is just a playmaker. He led the offense to 40 points with a mixture of solid decisions in the passing game while making the same in the run game. He didn’t force any throws into bad coverage, if someone wasn’t open, Champagne took off and used his legs. He scored on a very nice run, and his passing touchdown to Dominic D’Ambra Dominic D’Ambra 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Glenbard South | 2022 State IL was a perfect throw to the back of the endzone.
And another GBS score as @MichaelChampsQB runs it in, GBS 20 GBE 0 with 11:11 left in Q2 pic.twitter.com/snBEbVMqVb
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) October 16, 2021
He’s going to end up with three years of varsity starting experience and teams should take notice of that even though he might not be the most physically gifted player out there. Champagne is a very solid player and if he grows a bit over the next few years, his recruiting will really start to pick up.
2022 Wide receiver Dominic D’Ambra Dominic D’Ambra 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB Glenbard South | 2022 State IL (6’1” and 200lbs) @Dominic_7468
He’s got a great frame for a receiver, thick and quick, D’Ambra showed good hands as well. His touchdown reception was a great route, where he initially beat his man off the line with a great slant route and kept moving as Champagne rolled out and ultimately found him in the back of the endzone.
Another GBS TD as @MichaelChampsQB finds @Dominic_7468 to extend the lead over GBE 26-7 at the half pic.twitter.com/VRyfEPxxwZ
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) October 16, 2021
During the game, he made a mistake and got flagged for a 15-yard penalty and was taken off the field, but what I really liked seeing was that he got himself composed, came back and righted the ship. There’s something to be said about a player who can regain his focus after letting his emotions get the best of him. I like the potential that D’Ambra has a pass catcher.
2024 Wide receiver Cam Williams Cam Williams 6'2" | 190 lbs | WR Glenbard South | 2024 State IL (6’2” and 180lbs) @cam_will30
It wasn’t the best game for Williams but you can see why he already holds P5 offers as a sophomore. The skill set is so tantalizing, long arms, great frame along with a large catch radius. He made a great play on what was ruled an incomplete pass in the back of the endzone, but from my angle, he got a foot in.
Easy to see why @cam_will30 has gotten D1 interest so early into his HS career pic.twitter.com/MbqMFSzclG
— "The" Mike F Chen (@MikeFChen) October 18, 2021
What’s most impressive are his hands, they’re strong and Williams never uses his body to make catches, a high level aspect of an elite receiver. I fully expect more P5 offers to continue to flow Williams way over the next few years.
2023 Defensive back Kyran Taylor (5’8” and 140lbs) @KyranTaylor6
The smaller defensive back did a great job of staying with his man and being at the right place. When Defranco caused a fumble that counted, Taylor scooped and scored (highlight above). He has solid speed and good hands, even though he doesn’t have ideal size. Taylor is one to watch as he goes through his senior season.
2023 Running back Jalen Brown (6’2” and 190lbs) @JalenAnthonyBr1
Brown didn’t make an impact during this game, but he certainly passed the look test. He’s extremely raw, but certainly has some ability to make plays. Brown spelled Burnett and got a few opportunities to carry the ball. This is more of a projection of where what he can be over the next year and a half, but I feel like Brown could be a huge sleeper prospect with a ton of potential as a receiver.