Live look Week 9: Buffalo Grove Bison

When two 7-1 teams square off with conference implications, you knew it was going to be a great battle. That’s exactly what happened as Buffalo Grove made just enough plays to hold off Hersey 21-20 and win a conference title. There were plenty of big plays for the home team and big time performances. Here were the players that stood out to me Friday night. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-223042" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/B091B5C4-2839-4193-B16E-497B4BAC3047-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Linebacker George Shiakallis (5’10” and 195lbs) @GeorgeShiakall3 Although undersized, I loved the way that Shiakallis played the whole game. He’s just a playmaker, who was always at the right place at the right time. Shiakallis had multiple sacks, and recovered a fumble, making impact plays all evening. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1453089994726428674?s=21 He’s quick enough to play linebacker, but at a lower level. A team could give him a chance to play safety, he’s go the build and IQ to play at the back end. There is plenty of good football left in Shiakallis’ career and should get some more looks soon. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-223043" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/02C06701-61AA-4500-B161-F32FC0757ACC-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Defensive end Trystan Anderson (6’5” and 235lbs) @ttanderson An absolute terror for the Hersey offensive line, Anderson is getting more love from me after reviewing his tape last week. Seeing him live gave me a much better idea of what he brings to the table, and he’s a technician. Speed, length and production, Anderson showed he can be a high level player. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1453090043766218756?s=21 I loved seeing him at halftime talking about making the offensive line adjust to his moves he had shown earlier in the game, and using a different move to fake them out. Multiple sacks, hurries and tackles for loss, Anderson was a force all evening. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-223044" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/679817BD-B048-46FB-BA9D-3BB74A176E7D-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Cornerback Johnny Perot (5’10” and 185lbs) @PerotJr I first noticed Perot because every side he was on, the throw would go to opposite direction. To me, that’s a great sign, especially for a cornerback. Perot was later targeted, and although he did allow a few completions, there weren’t many. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1453090150787977219?s=21 He’s got great hips, good recovery speed and does a great job of turning his head when the ball is in the air. Perot is not getting any recruiting interest at the moment, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he can play at the next level. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-223051" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/D1202618-14C4-44BA-90F5-B22CD6E57741-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Defensive back [player_tooltip player_id="155379" first="Jacob" last="Pond"] (5’10” and 180lbs) @Jacob_Pond_ The versatile athlete played both ways and made impacts on each side of the ball. He started off the scoring for BG and almost ended the game as well. This interception was a drive killer, as Pond made a great play on the ball and used his good hands to high point the ball. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1453090225299902474?s=21 Another defender that made plays all night, Pond has plenty of upside to his game due to his speed and instincts. He visited UW-Plattville this past weekend so he’s already on a few teams radars. There still time as Pond is uncommitted, but get on him quickly. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-223054" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/CA26CDAD-7CAD-4EA9-A36F-A542CAE71989-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2023 Defensive back Michael Cervantes (5’11” and 170lbs) @mcerv5 The starting quarterback was solid as a runner and decent as a thrower, but that’s not where Cervantes future is. He was fantastic as a defensive back, his pick sealed the deal late in the fourth quarter. I loved that he was a warrior, Cervantes took some huge hits running the ball but kept coming back. As the quarterback, a team will follow and his attitude was contagious. Cervantes will need to add on more weight to be a more effective DB, but the frame is there to add on the weight. I really liked his ability to read an offense from the back end. He’s another guy that isn’t getting much attention but Cervantes can help a team out at the next level. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-223056" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/redzone/uploads/2021/10/937840A3-E6C8-4B2F-9C4A-50ABA3BA99A8-225x300.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /> 2022 Defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="120386" first="Eli" last="Shereshovech"] (6’4” and 255lbs) @ShereshovechEli Some solid play from Shereshovech which was to be expected from a player with Drake and St. Thomas offers. He didn’t make plays all game, but he’s a grinder who has a motor that is endless. Late in the game, he made a mistake, Shereshovech committed a late hit on the Hersey quarterback. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1453090268597657609?s=21 He was visibly disappointed in himself, but didn’t let that keep him down. A few plays later, Shereshovech came up with a big sack making up for his late hit. A good frame along with solid ability, the defensive lineman’s best football is in front of him. 2022 Running back Scott Murray (5’10” and 185lbs) @Scott_Murr7 Another two-way player, Murray did well as a cornerback but was more than solid as a runner. He has enough speed to hit the corner, but not quite enough to break it for the distance. https://twitter.com/mikefchen/status/1453090331046694915?s=21 That doesn’t mean he isn’t a solid player, Murray has good vision and balance. He does a great job of creating running lanes for himself, even if he’s losing ground vertically. Murray can move out to the slot as well, he’s versatile enough to be a threat in the passing game also.