Showdown on Shepherd (St. Pius X)

<p class="p1"><span style="font-size: 1rem; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Week 9 of Houston High School football is here. Two more weeks and it is playoff season. On Friday October 22, 2021 I decided to go watch my alma mater St. Pius X Panthers (3-5). They played against their eternal rivals The St. Thomas Eagles (7-2). I had to go watch these two heated rivals duke it out especially after watching St. Pius X practice on Wednesday. When I attended St. Pius X the week that we were going to play against St. Thomas was called “Thomas Week.” It was a very big deal for our school and I was very excited to experience that feeling again. Although, both teams were slightly even in the beginning The St. Thomas Eagles started gaining some momentum and won the game with a score of 37-14. It was a big loss for St. Pius X Panthers, but they still had some standout players that I noticed.</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">#11 Carson Hintz OLB, RB Sr 6’0 220 lbs </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">When I attended St. Pius X Panthers practice on Wednesday I noticed #11 outside linebacker Carson Hintz. I unfortunately, didn’t get to see Carson’s full potential because it was a slow walkthrough, but wow did he put on a show. Carson was always in the action and very aggressive. Carson was a great blitzer not by only using his speed and quickness, but his strength by powering through St. Thomas’ offensive line getting into the backfield. Carson was an overwhelming threat to The St. Thomas Eagles he ended the night with 11 overall tackles and one sack. </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">#87 Josh Mitchell RB So </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">I was impressive by running back #87 Josh Mitchell speed. Josh is quick and fast give that young man a path and he’s sure to get the 1st down and more. Josh also was good at catching I feel like he could become a great wide receiver in his future. I’m saying this because one of Josh’s major shortcomings was his size. Josh is small and skinny and sure he makes up for it with his speed, but at his size he won’t be able to break any tackles or out power anybody. With Josh only being a sophomore I’m sure in his next three years of football he’ll put on more muscle. </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">#2 Nethaneel Loolo CB, WR Jr</span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">One of St. Pius X fastest players was Nethaneel Loolo. Nethaneel played on both sides of the ball as a wide receiver and cornerback. I interviewed Nethaneel on Wednesday and when I asked him which position he preferred he told me cornerback, but I like him better as a wide receiver. Nethaneel used his speed to get open and had great footwork using it to avoid tackles and maneuver around the defense. On defense Nethaneel was good at cover his man and didn’t allow too much separation or any passes to come through. Nethaneel unfortunately injured his shoulder at the beginning of the 3rd quarter and had to stop playing. However, I think if Nethaneel could of kept playing he could make a difference between St. Pius X winning or losing. </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">#1 Cale Skinner QB, CB Jr 5’10 160 lbs </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">St. Pius X runs a two quarterback system and they’re fortunate to have two good quarterbacks. One of them was #1 Cale Skinner. Cale is a scrambler he’s great at being mobile and still able to get a good pass over while in motion. Cale is quick and if he’s a path to get a 1st down he’ll take it. Cale is also St. Pius X punter and he’s really good at that as well. It’s also useful that the quarterback can punt because of 4th down St. Thomas couldn’t figure out if he was going to fake the punt for a pass play. Cale being multitalented will definitely make him standout in his junior and senior of football. </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">#7 Bryce Mckeon QB Jr 6’1 190 lbs </span></p> <p class="p3"><span class="s2">The other quarterback was #7 Bryce Mckeon. I would say Bryce wasn’t as mobile as Cale but made up for that with his passing. Bryce was a very accurate quarterback the only time a pass of his failed was because the wide receiver blocked it or the defense had great coverage. Bryce had great awareness and full view of the field. If Bryce keeps on improving in his senior year he could be a top prospect. </span></p>