SPOOK WEEK FINALE: Menacing MLB/FB Players

In the spirit of Halloween, we will be taking this week to feature some of the spookiest players you’ll see on the field. Every day will highlight a different position group/groups, eventually leading up to the scariest of the scariest to be revealed on Halloween night. Last week, I tweeted that both middle linebackers and fullbacks are the biggest menaces on the field. Middle linebackers don’t get the recognition that edge-rushing OLBs get, and fullbacks pave the way for the halfback to gain all the glory. So what draws these players to the game? Violence. Punishment. Pain. These positions, although sometimes thankless, are some of the most crucial on each side. The middle linebacker creeps in the center of the defense, cleaning up and passes or runs going his way as well as blitzing. They attack with malice, hoping to break the wills of offensive players. Fullbacks can catch out of the backfield, carrying the ball, block the running back, or block in pass protection. A position even less recognized than the tight end. But they reward themselves by delivering some crushing blocks and violent runs. Here are some of the biggest menaces to hit the field. <hr /> Cooper Jackson - Lincoln Southwest -2023 5’11" 185 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/13168083/Cooper-Jackson" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Cooper Jackson is part of an excellent group of returning defenders for the Silver Hawks. The junior linebacker fits his role perfectly. He is a physical linebacker, who’s arms are like vices when he gets to you. Cooper racked up a total of 83 tackles which is the most for any of their returning players. Jackson was a beast getting into the backfield, showing an excellent ability to shed blocks and shut down run games (7 TFLs). He runs like his hair is on fire and plays every play with lots of intensity. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13168083/61781ca2f560280ae025e908" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Trace Marco - Papillion-La Vista South - 2023 5’10" 190 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/12845140/Trace-Marco" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Trace Marco has continued to progress into a solid defender for the Titans. Marco racked up 49 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and an interception for his junior season totals. He can shut down runs and drop back into pass coverage as well. Trace had a great interception against Omaha South (:55 seconds in the clip below), which even added a good return. Marco makes his presence felt with every bruising tackle he delivers. On offense, he carried the ball 3 times for 5 yards and scored two touchdowns. A true fullback’s stat line through and through. Marco is starting to gain the attention of schools, and it is only a matter of time before offers begin to come in. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/12845140/617630d3bed6e408542a98f8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Kody Bitter - Tekamah-Herman - 2022 5’9 185 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11454341/Kody-Bitter" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Kody Bitter is a well-rounded MLB/FB hybrid that can produce on both sides of the ball. As a rusher, he tacked up 568 yards and scored 5 touchdowns, including a 280 yard 4 touchdown performance against David City. Kody is a fighter on the field, always keeping his legs pumping and fighting to fall forward for extra yards. He also has excellent acceleration and can change direction without losing speed, able to bounce to the edge and take off. There was non-stop pressure from Bitter on defense as he was able to tally 113 total tackles and made 4 tackles for loss. With those totals, he finishes his prep career with 325 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 8 sacks! He has produced every year since he stepped on a varsity field, and there is no reason this monster of a middle ’backer can’t continue that at the collegiate level. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11454341/5f37ff64dfd81205ac0962f8" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="193791" first="Logan" last="Booth"] - Logan View - 2022 5’11" 220 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/8336804/Logan-Booth" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Logan is a tough-as-nails football player that always brings pain. This year he exploded onto the scene with 108 tackles and 20 tackles for loss, up from the 65 tackles and 7 tackles for loss the previous year. His wrestling background might have something to do with how he has helped elevate his play as a linebacker—playing with excellent leverage and the ability to shed blocks at will. This goes the same on offense playing with a low pad level and delivering stiff blocks. As much as you don’t want to see him as a blocker, you don’t want to see him as the ball carrier. He runs like a bull and can take defenders for a ride if they don’t wrap up on this monstrous man. Overall, just a relentless player ready to blow up anyone in his way. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/8336804/6150d8ed1763a30b48fa4bd9" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Jackson Chandler - Skutt Catholic - 2022 6’ 200 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11242066/Jackson-Chandler" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Jackson is fun to watch on defense; he plays with tons of intensity and is moving all the way until the whistle. He’s like a bullet shooting through his gaps and is a sure tackle when he gets to his target. Chandler has a solid build and strength, using them to fight through his blocks and get to the running back/quarterback. His lateral quickness is very underrated; Jackson can cover large chunks of turf in little time and is a solid coverage linebacker. You don’t want to be in his way when he has a full head of steam. He uses his 200-pound frame as a battering ram, toppling over defenders when he lowers the pads. Teams should jump on this hungry, punishing Sky Hawk. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11242066/6176099bbed6e408542a6545" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> [player_tooltip player_id="192722" first="Luke" last="MacDonald"] - Bennington - 2022 6’1" 220 lbs | <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11380035/Luke-MacDonald" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hudl</a> Luke and Bennington have come out this season with one mission in mind: DOMINATE. To date, they have done exactly that with the best rushing attack, one of the most brutal lines, dangerous wideouts, and a soul-crushing defense. At the heart of that is Luke, who has been lights-out for the Badgers. Although the stats show a decrease in production, they don’t show the increase in attention coming his way, and that has been a great coverage linebacker. Regardless, he racked up 79 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and an interception en route to an undefeated 10-0 record. His biggest strength is what’s in between the ears. He doesn’t get shook or moved out of position and has a supernatural-like ability to be wherever the ball is at. On offense, he has helped backfield mates [player_tooltip player_id="192723" first="Dylan" last="Mostek"] and Nick Colvert gash defenses with surgical-like precision. He is a vicious blocker that loves nothing more than to lay people out. MacDonald would be a great addition to any linebacker room. <iframe src="//www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/11380035/61401c0aff02080a00295be4" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>