Stand Outs of Atascocita v Summer Creek (AHS Edit.)

<em>Man</em> was that a great game! Overtime, first time that's happened this season (that I've seen)! What started to look like an easy Atascocita victory, turned into a nail biter. When all was said and done, Atascocita scored the final touchdown to seal the win, bringing the total team record to 6-1. Atascocita played a great game, rallying around one another and fighting to the very end, and <em>then</em> battled even more after that! Here are the Stand Out Players from Atascocita. <strong>Note:</strong> I was not able to get the stats of each player for the game. <strong>Chase Sowell (2022) I 6'3", 194 lbs. I #1 I WR</strong> Sowell can run for a guy his size. He is not a blazer, but he can leave you behind if he gets a step on you. Sowell is <em>every</em> bit of 6'3" and used his size nicely. If the ball can hit Sowell's hands, it'll be a completion. His routes will get better with coaching and time, but his best attributes are his catching prowess and body positioning. On his touchdown pass, the defender was on his hip pocket and looked back at the ball. Honestly, the DB’s technique was great. Sowell high pointed the ball and continued in stride to the end zone. Credit to the corner, it was one of those "<em>there was nothing more you could have done</em>" plays. It happens. Sowell was also a more than willing blocker and he actually looked like he <em>wanted</em> to block someone. I really appreciated that aspect of his game. He was physical and he ran hard when the ball was in his hands, gaining additional yards after contact. Sowell is a big bodied, sure handed receiver and the senior balled out Friday night <strong>Bennie Qualls (2022) I 5'9" I #3 I S</strong> I first noticed Qualls playing in the slot. The offense lined up in shot gun, twins on both sides (2 receivers for those who don't know) and the RB next to the QB's right side. When the play started, the RB swung out to his right, with his receivers setting up to block. The play design was a quick RB screen. Qualls <em><strong>initiated</strong></em> the contact with the receiver, drove him backwards, got off the block, then stuck the RB for about a 3 yard loss. That play best describes Qualls's play style: fast and physical! He is not the biggest guy on the field, but he plays with heart and he does not miss tackles. Qualls played his best football coming downhill. He was fine in coverage, but was not really asked to do a whole lot. He moved really well in space and I think he can play the single high or 2 high safety role, but on this particular defense he is asked to stay around the line of scrimmage. There is nothing wrong with that. Qualls is a dog! He was all over the field and he will knock your block off! <strong>Zion Brown (2024) I 6'0" I #5 I QB</strong> I wanted to save Brown for last, but I decided to stick with the ascending jersey number theme. Let me start with his, being a sophomore, Brown has a lot of work to do. The arm strength was there, but the accuracy was not consistent. His decision making almost cost Atascocita the game (I counted 4 turnover worthy plays, with 2 <strong>easy</strong> interceptions being dropped by Summer Creek defenders). Brown's overall game needs improvement, but the kid is a winner! Brown came in clutch when it mattered most. Only a sophomore, Brown was set to start in place of an injured college recruit at QB (Gavin Session), against a  very good team in Summer Creek, with a lively crowd routing for his failure. The circumstances were far from ideal, and Brown did not always help himself, but he stayed calm under pressure (both physically and mentally) and <em>willed</em> his team to a victory. Brown's best asset was his legs. On designed QB runs or off script scrambles, he made plays all game long. He ran rough when he needed to and smart when it was necessary. He threw a pretty pass to my man Sowell for about a 70 yard touchdown. When he set his feet and diagnosed the defense, he made very nice throws. Atascocita would have lost that game Friday night if Brown is not on the field. I am <em>extremely</em> impressed with this kid and I cannot wait to see how he progresses! Brown's talent cannot be denied, and when the game truly slows down for him, he will be dangerous. Remember the name <strong>Zion Brown</strong>. <strong>Samu Taumanupepe (2023) I 6'3", 380 lbs. I #99 I DL</strong> You read his weight correctly, 380 lbs.! THIS <em>MAN</em> IS HUGE! And I'm not even sure <em>that's</em> big enough! He moved pretty good for someone his size, flowing to the ball after starting up the field. If his get off could be faster, he would be an even bigger threat! Taumanupepe was impossible to move Friday night. Putting one blocker on him was not a wise decision. Well, double teaming him didn't do much either. Power was this kid's specialty, bull rushing his way into the backfield. In obvious passing downs, he would be substituted out for a smaller, quicker lineman, but on occasion Tauman would be in rushing. He was able to push the pocket and make life hard on the QB. I think his overall game needs to be quicker: getting off the ball faster, moving his feet faster, moving his hands faster. Taumanupepe was a joy to watch all night long. The game was a nail biter, coming down to one play! I enjoyed every minute of it. The players above caught my eye on a number of different plays. Congratulations to Atascocita on moving to 6-1. They face the undefeated C.E. King football team on Saturday (10/16). That should be an awesome game, and I'm sure these 4 players will show up big!